Atlantic City, NJ (August 2, 2021)–This past Saturday night, Hard Hitting Promotions started off it’s 12 fight series at the Showboat Hotel with a bang as Christian Tapia captured the NABA Super Featherweight title with a 2nd round destruction over Mason Menard.

The fight capped off an excellent seven bout card in front of a sold-out crowd at the famed boardwalk venue.

In round two, Tapia hurt Menard with a right hand. Tapia walked in and landed a right uppercut that was followed by a thundering left to the body that sent Menard to the canvas, and he would not get up, and the fight was stopped at 2:34.

Tapia of Coamo, PR is 12-0 with 11 knockouts. Menard of Rayne, LA is 36-6.

Dylan Price remained undefeated with a eight-round unanimous decision over Edwin Rodriguez in a bantamweight bout.

Price of Sicklerville, NJ won by scores of 79-73, 78-74 and 77-75 to remain undefeated with a 14-0 record. Rodriguez of Juana Diaz, PR is 11-6-2.

Hometown favorite Anthony “Juice” Young took an eight-round unanimous decision over Todd Manuel in a welterweight battle.

Young scored a knockdown in the final round, but Manuel was able to reach the final bell.

Young of Atlantic City, NJ won by scores of 79-72 and 78-73 twice to raise his mark to 22-2. Manuel of Rayne, LA is 19-18-1,

Ricardo Caraballo (6-1) and Harold Lopez (6-0-1) fought to a no-contest due to a cut that opened up a cut over the left eye of Caraballo, and the fight had to be stopped before four completed rounds of their scheduled six-round flyweight bout.

Jerome Conquest took a six-round split decision over Wilfredo Garriga in a junior welterweight fight.

Conquest of Philadelphia won by scores of 59-55 and 58-56, while a third judge ruled 58-56 in favor of Garriga.

Conquest is now 11-5. Garriga of Juana Diaz, PR is 4-8-1.

Brendon O’Callaghan made a successful pro debut with a opening round stoppage of Anthony Young in a scheduled four-round middleweight bout.

O’Callaghan dropped Young with a hard combination on the ropes. O’Callaghan jumped on a hurt Young, and another series of punches forced a referee stoppage at 2:39.

O’Callaghan of Philadelphia is 1-0 with one knockout. Young, also of Philadelphia, drops to 0-2.

Isaiah Wise won a six-round split decision over Luis Solis in a middleweight bout.

Wise of Philadelphia won by scores of 59-55 and 58-56; while the 3rd judge scored it for Solis by a 59-55 tally.

Wise is now 9-2-2. Solis is 25-13-4.

Hard Hitting Promotions returns to the Showboat Hotel on Saturday, August 28th

Atlantic City, NJ (June 25, 2021)–, Hard Hitting Promotions is pleased to formally announce a landmark boxing series at The Showboat Hotel in Atlantic City titled, Boardwalk Boxing Powered by Hard Hitting Promotions and Showboat Hotel.

The series was announced at a packed press conference that took place this past Tuesday at The Showboat Hotel, with the first event taking place on Saturday, July 31st.

“I am so glad to be part of this. This is just the tip of the iceberg,” said Manny Rivera, Partner with Hard Hitting Promotions. “This is just a small piece of what is going to happen in Atlantic City. This has been a vision for the last three and a half years. What we will be doing is putting on great fights and high quality events, and we can see this as the start of bringing big time boxing in Atlantic City like it used be. You can see what we are trying to do in our first event, by having excellent fights with all of the fighters getting tested in real fights.”

“Starting on July 31st, we will start a 12-fight series with Hard Hitting Promotions. This is the largest commitment to boxing in Atlantic City in an Atlantic City property since the 1990’s,” said Brandon Dixon, president of Tower Investments. “We are committed to making boxing an integral part of the city’s non-casino entertainment in addition to our professional boxing series, we will be rolling out a truly unique amateur fight series.”

In the main event on July 31st, undefeated Christian Tapia battles Mason Menard in a 10 round fight for the NABA Super Featherweight title.

Tapia of Coamo, Puerto Rico, has a record of 11-0 with 10 knockouts,

Tapia, 27 years-old is a four-year professional, and is coming off a 4th round stoppage over Carlos Colon on March 7th, 2020 in Atlantic City..

Menard of Rayne, Louisiana has an impressive mark of 36-5 with 25 knockouts.

The 32 year-old Menard is a 14 year-professional who has racked up wins over Thomas Dardar (8-1), Lonnie Smith (14-3-2), Ivan Otero (8-1), Oscar Bravo (21-4), Eudy Bernardo (21-0), Bahodir Mamadjonov (19-2). Menard is coming off a close majority decision defeat to highly ranked Emmanuel Tagoe (31-1) on November 27th in Hollywood, Florida.

In the co-feature, undefeated bantamweight Dylan Price of Sicklerville, New Jersey takes on tough Edwin Rodriguez in an eight-round bout.

Price, 22 years-old of Sicklerville, NJ is 13-0 with 10 knockouts. Price, a four-year professional, has stopped his last four opponents, and is coming off a 2nd round destruction over Elias Joaquino on April 17th in Philadelphia.

Rodriguez, 28 year-old of Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico has a record of 11-5-2 with five knockouts.

Rodriguez, a nine-year veteran, has wins over Carlos Rodriguez (12-1), Juan Carlos Camacho (6-0) and highly regarded Saul Sanchez (12-0). Rodriguez is coming off a disputed draw with decorated contender Joshua Greer (22-2-1) on November 14th in Las Vegas.

Local favorite, Anthony “Juice” Young returns in an eight-round bout against veteran, Todd Manuel in a welterweight fight.

Young of Atlantic City is 21-2 with eight knockouts.

Young, 33, will be making his 13th appearance in his hometown, is coming off the best win of his career, as he stopped former super welterweight world champion Sadam Ali in three-rounds on March 4, 2019 in Las Vegas,

Manuel of Rayne, Louisiana is 19-17-1 with five knockouts, has posted wins over K Lon Spencer (4-0), Arthur Thomas (1-0) and Tom Howard (8-1). Manuel is on a two-fight winning streak, and in his last contest, he won an eight-round unanimous decision against Jesus Angulo on June 4th in Mexico.

In six-round bouts:

Ricardo Caraballo (6-1, 2 KOs) of Riverview, Florida takes on an opponent to be named in a flyweight fight.

Emmnauel Rodriguez (9-0, 4 KOs) of Quebardillas, PR will fight an opponent to be named.

Jan Carlos Rivera (4-1, 4 KOs) of Philadelphia will take part in a welterweight bout.

Jerome Conquest (10-5, 1 KO) of Philadelphia fights an opponent to be named.

In a four-round bout, welterweight Dezmond Lucas (2-0, 1 KO) of Bronx, NY will make an appearance against an opponent to be named.

Tickets for this amazing evening boxing are $150, $100, $75 and $55 and can be purchased.

HERE—CLICK TO BUY TICKETS

Daniel Jacobs won a split-decision over Gabriel Rosado in a lackluster super middleweight fight at the Seminole Hard Rock Resort in Hollywood, Florida.

Nether guy stood out in the contest where in many of the rounds there punches in the mid-20’s and very few moments of action.

Both guys landed 78 punches with Rosado throwing 549 to 339 of Jacobs.

In the end, Jacobs squeaked it out by winning two cards of 115-113 and Rosado took a card 115-113.

Jacobs, 167.7 lbs of Brooklyn, NY is 37-3. Rosado, 168 lbs of Philadelphia is 25-13.

Yeleussinov stops Indongo in 2

Daniyar Yeleussinov stopped former unified champion Julius Indongo in round two of a scheduled 10-round welterweight fight

In round one, Yeleussinov landed a perfect left counter that dropped Yeleussinov. In round two, Yeleussinov landed a perfect left that sent Indongo to the canvas for a 2nd time and the fight was stopped at 1:24.

Yeleussinov, 146.6 lbs of Breezino, KAZ is 10-0 with six knockouts. Indongo, 146.2 lbs of Windhoek, NAM is 23-3.

Nikita Ababiy remained undefeated by winning a six-round unanimous decision over Brandon Maddox in a middleweight contest.

Ababiy landed 83 of 311 punches; Maddox was 62 of 321.

Ababiy, 162.2 lbs of Brooklyn, NY won by scores of 59-55 on all cards and is now 10-0. Maddox, 162 lbs of Detroit, MI is 7-4-1.

Mahammadrasul Majidov stopped Sahret Delgado in round three of their scheduled eight-round bout featuring undefeated heavyweights.

Majidov dominated the action and landed a huge right right that hurt Delgado badly and the fight was stopped at 47 seconds.

Majidov, 232.6 lbs of Baku, AZE is now 3-0 with three knockouts. Delgado, 291 lbs of Humacao, PR is 8-1.

Emmanuel Tagoe won a 10-round majority decision over Mason Menard in a lightweight bout.

In round four, Menard was cut over his right eye.

Tagoe landed 135 of 467 punches; Menard was 126 of 554.

Tagoe, 134 lbs of Accra, GHA won by scores of 98-92, 96-94 and 95-95 and is now 32-1. Menard, 134.8 lbs of Rayne, LA is 36-5.

NEW YORK (December 10, 2018) -Top lightweight Teofimo Lopez scored an explosive 44-second knockout over Mason Menard this past Saturday night at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in a scheduled ten-round bout that was viewed by a massive audience on ESPN.

Lopez landed a crushing right hand that had Menard plummeting face-first on to the cnavas, in what was the opening televised bout on the Vasilly Lomachenko – Jose Pedraza lightweight unification card.

Lopez is now the NABA, NABF and USBA Lightweight champion.

The knockout, was featured on ESPN SportCenter, and all over social media, took place on an event which was the 2nd highest rated boxing card on cable television this year

With the win, Lopez pushed his perfect mark to 11-0 with nine knockouts, and now he feels he is ready for anybody in the lightweight division.

“I knew he was a tough fighter. I knew he could fight,” Lopez said. “I wanted to test him, and I took a chance early in the fight. I know he trained hard, and he didn’t want it to go that way. But this is ‘The Takeover.’ ‘The Takeover’ has begun.

“In 2019, I will be a world champion. That’s a guarantee.”

“I put an exclamation point that I am no longer a prospect, and now it’s on to the contenders, and moving up the rankings. In 2019 you will see me fight for a world title.”

Said Lopez manger, David McWater of Split T Management, “He’s just never stops surprising me. Just when you think he can’t do better than his last fight he does something even more amazing. It’s been a generation since boxing saw a young fighter like this”

Vasyl Lomachenko won a 12-round unanimous decision over Jose Pedraza to retain the WBA and win the WBO Lightweight title at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden.

Rounds were competitive over the course of the fight, with Lomachenko landing the more memorable shots throughout.  Pedraza did his best to slip and move while mixing in some offense in an effort to slow Lomachenko.  The Ukranian fighter, who is atop many pound for pound lists just had more in his arsenal.

In round eleven, Loamchenko opened up on Pedraza as he hurt him with a hard left him.  Lomachenko continued to land  hard and flush punches against Pedraza, who was barely punching back.  The result of that onslaught were two knockdowns that came seconds apart.  Lomachenko tried his best to close the show, but Pedraza was game and showed his veteran tactics to hear the final bell.

Lomachenko, 134.4 lbs of Akermann, UKR won by scores 119-107 and 117-109 twice   and is now 12-1.  Pedraza, 134.2 lbs of Cidra, PR is 25-2.

“It was my dream to unify titles,” Lomachenko said. “It was my next goal. I can now focus on my next chapter.

“He’s a veteran. He did a very good job, and I respect Pedraza and his team.”

Said Pedraza: “I am happy with my performance tonight. I went 12 rounds with the best fighter in the world. I knew what we were going up against. I thought it was a close fight until the knockdowns. At the end of the day, I am proud of what I did.”

Emanuel Navarrete won the WBO Super Bantamweight title via 12-round unanimous decision to dethrone Isaac Dogboe.

Although not pretty at times, Navarrete pushed the action as he featured body shots.  Dogboe retreated for most of the bout.  Dogboe suffered swelling over his right eye in round nine, and never got into a rhythm.

Navarrete, 122 lbs of Mexico City won by scores of 116-112 twice and 115-113 to improve to 26-1.  Dogboe, 120.8 lbs of Accra, GHA is now 20-1.

“I thank Dogboe for this opportunity,” Navarrete said. “This world championship represents every day that I was working away from my family. This title represents sacrifice. I injured my right hand early in the fight, but I had the desire to be a champion and I did everything necessary to get the title, and I am very happy and proud to achieve this goal of being the world champion.”

Said Dogboe: “It was a great fight, and Emanuel Navarrete fought like a true Mexican warrior. Champions are supposed to keep going under any circumstance, but I just couldn’t get the victory. The best man won tonight.”

Top prospect Teofimo Lopez blew out Mason Menard in the 1st round of their scheduled ten-round lightweight fight for the USBA/NABA/NAF titles.

Lopez rocked Menard in the opening seconds of the bout, and then uncorked a perfect right to the jaw that had Menard plummet face-first on the canvas, and the fight was immediately stopped at 44 seconds

Lopez, 135 lbs of Brooklyn, NY is 11-0 with nine knockouts.  Menard, 135 lbs of Rayne, LA is 34-4.

“I knew he was a tough fighter. I knew he could fight,” Lopez said. “I wanted to test him, and I took a chance early in the fight. I know he trained hard, and he didn’t want it to go that way. But this is ‘The Takeover.’ ‘The Takeover’ has begun.

“In 2019, I will be a world champion. That’s a guarantee.”

Brian Ceballo remained undefeated with a four-round unanimous decision over Daniel Calzada in a welterweight bout.

Ceballo, 147.8 lbs of New York won by scores of 40-36 on all cards, and is now 6-0.  Calzada, 147.5 lbs of Denver, CO is 16-20-3.

Alexander Besputin remained perfect by winning a 10-round unanimous decision over Juan Carlos Abreu in a welterweight bout.

In round one, Besputin dropped Abreu with a straight left.

Besputin, 146.6 lbs of Oxnard, CA won by scores of 100-88 on all cards, and is now 12-0.  Abreu, 146.8 lbs of Santo Domingo, DR is 21-5-1.

“He fought a very uncomfortable, dirty fight, but I dominated,” Besputin said. “I am ready for a world title fight next.”

Italian Olympian Guido Vianello made a successful pro debut with a 2nd round stoppage over Luke Lyons in a heavyweight bout.

In round one, Vianello dropped Lyons with a hard right hand.  In round two, Vianello dropped Lyons with a combination and the fight was waved off at 29 seconds.

Vianello, 236 lbs of Rome, ITA is 1-0 with one knockout.  Lyons, 239.8 lbs of Ashland, KY is 5-2.

“It was a dream come true to make my professional debut at Madison Square Garden,” Vianello said. “I hope I did Italy proud. I came here tonight to score a knockout, and I delivered.”

Josue Vargas stopped John Renteria in round five of a scheduled eight-round super lightweight bout.

In round two, Vargas dropped Renteria with a left hand. In round four, he sent Renteria down with a right hook to the head.

Vargas, 142.6 lbs of Bronx, NY is 12-1 with eight knockouts. Renteria, 142.8 lbs of Panama City, PAN is 16-6-1.

In round five, Vargas finished off Renteria with a combination that put him on the canvas, and the bout was stopped at 31 seconds

Abdiel Ramirez stopped Michael Perez in the final round of their eight-round super lightweight bout

In round four, Perez dropped Ramirez with a hard uppercut.

Ramirez came back to hurt Perez in the final round with a right hand. He followed that up with two crushing uppercuts that dropped Perez, and the bout was stopped at 54 seconds.

Ramirez, 142.4 lbs of Ciudad Juarez, MEX is 24-3-1 with 22 knockouts. Perez. 142.4 lbs of Newark, NJ is 25-3-2.

Follow all the action as Vasyl Lomachenko and Jose Pedraza square off in a lightweight unification bout.  The action kicks off at 9 PM ET with a lightweight bout between Teofimo Lopez and Mason Menard.  Next up will the The WBO Super bantamweight title bout between Isaac Dogboe and Emanuel Navarrete.

NO BROWSER REFRESH NEEDED.  THE PAGE WILL UPDATE AUTOMATICALLY.

Round 1: Right from Pedraza..Crowd Screaming “LOMA..LOMA…LOMA”…Hard left from Lomachenko..

Round 2: Good straight left from Lomachenko..Jab..left….Pedraza gets in a right

Round 3 Jab from Pedraza…3 punch combination from Lomachenko..

Round 4 Left from Pedraza..Combination on inside..Right hook from Lomachenko..Good jab..left..hard ;left

Round 5 Lomachenko lands a left to the body…Body shot from Pedraza..Jab and 2 lefts from Lomachenko

Round 6 Right from Pedraza..Ripping combo from Lomachenko..Left…Pedraza gets in a right…Hard left from Lomachenko

Round 7 Lomachenko gets in a right..Left to body..Right inside…Straight left..Body shot that was answered by a combination from Pedraza

Round 8 Right to body from Pedraza..2 hard right hooks from Lomachenko….Left to body..3 punch combination..Inside right hook

Round 9  Right from Pedraza..Right to body..Combination on inside..Hard uppercut/left from Lomachenko

Round 10 Body shot from Pedraza..Another,,,Right hook..Uppercut/left combination….Left from Loamchenko

Round 11 Straight left from Lomachenko..Hard left hurts Pedraza..Lomahenko ripping shots…ALl over Pedraza..Body Shot…LEFT TO HEAD AND DOWN GOES PEDRAZA…ANOTHER LEFT AND DOWN GOES PEDRAZA AGAIN

Round 12 Right hook from Pedraza…Good Straight left..Right hook..

119-107; 117-109 TWICE FOR VASYL LOMACHENKO

Round 1 Left to body by Navarette..3 body shots from Dogboe..Jab..Left and right to body..Left as Navarrete came off ropes..Jab..Right from Navarrete..Right from Dogboe

Round 2 Navarrete trying to use long jab..Right to body from Dogboe..Counter uppercut..Jab from Navarrete..Left to body from Dogboe…Hard right from Navarrete…..Big body shot and left hook..Combinations has Dogboe on ropes..

Round 3 Left to body from Navarrete..uppercut..Hard left..Left from Dogboe…1-2 from Navarrete

Round 4 Body work from Dogboe…Left to body..Jabs

Round 5  Right from Dogboe..good uppercut from Navarrete..another uppercut…Navarrete chasing Dogboe..missing a lot..Left from Dogboe

Round 6  Uppercut from Navarrete..Right..Left..4 punch combination..Body shot from Dogboe..uppercut..right

Round 7 Body work from Dogboe..Body work on inside…Combination from Navarrete..Good body shot from Dogboe..

Round 8 Hard body shots from Dogboe…left to body..Good right and left to body..2 lefts to the head…Long right from Navarrete..Left from Dogboe..Good left to the body

Round 9 Jab from Dogboe..Right to head–Navarrete slips to canvas,,Left from Dogboe….Good right

Round 10 Dogboe has swelling over right eye..Doctor checks it to begin the round..Left to body from Navarrete..Left drives Dogboe into ropes..Body work from Dogboe..Dogboe slips in corner..Body shot from Navarrete..Right from Dogboe..3 punch combination from Navarrete

Round 11 Left to body from Navarrete..Body shot with the uppercut…Digboe slips again..

Round 12 Right from Navarrete,,,Left..Right from Dogboe..Body shot from Navarrete..Digboe thrown to the canvas..

115-113 ; 116-112 TWICE FOR WINNER AND NEW CHAMPION EMANUEL NAVARRETE

Round 1 Right over top from Lopez…Hard right..HUGE RIGHT AND MENARD FALLS FACE FIRST…FIGHT OVER…TIME 44 SECONDS

NEW YORK (December 5, 2018) -Boxing’s top prospect and world ranked lightweight, Teofimo Lopez will be back in the spotlight when he takes on the battle-tested Mason Menard at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden.

The scheduled 10-round bout will be seen live on ESPN as a support bout to the lightweight unification battle between Vasyl Lomachenko and Jose Pedraza.

Lopez and Menard will vie for the coveted and vacant NABF title.

Lopez, who now resides in Las Vegas, returns to to his birth city as the 21 year-old was born in Brooklyn, will look to continue the momentum that he started to gather after taking out William Silva on July 14th on ESPN.

That win upped his mark to 10-0 with eight knockouts, and made him a world-ranked fighter as he is now rated #11 by the WBA and #14 by the WBO.

In Menard, he will be facing an opponent who has a terrific mark of 34-3 with 24 knockouts. Menard is no stranger to taking out prospects as he has wins over Bahodir Mamadjonov (19-2) and Eudy Bernardo (21-0).

“I am more than ready for this fight and super excited that I’m back in my hometown fighting for 3 belts. It’s #TheTakeover come Saturday night! The celebration after the win will be one to talk about,” said Lopez.

“He’s the most exciting prospect in boxing, and he loves to turn it up at the garden- I’m expecting quite a show,” said David McWater of Split-T Management.

Lopez is promoted by Top Rank.

Beverly Hills, Calif. (December 4, 2018) – Two members of the No Limit Mindset LLC. Management stable will be in action in big bouts on the East Coast on Friday and Saturday respectively.

Friday night at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, undefeated super middleweight, Kalvin “Hot Sauce” Henderson takes on Brandon Robinson in a ten-round main event.

Saturday night at The Hulu Theater, lightweight Mason Menard takes on undefeated prospect Teofimo Lopez in a bout that that will be seen live on ESPN.

Henderson (10-0, 6 KOs) of Fort Worth, Texas will be taking a step up in competition as he travels to the hometown of Robinson, who himself has won 11 straight bouts.

“Feeling strong, hungry, and excited to put on a show this Friday, December 7th. Training camp was rough like its supposed to be but we’re primed and ready to knock. Philly is about to feel all this heat,” said Henderson

Menard of Rayne. Louisiana, has an impressive mark of 34-3 with 24 knockouts, plans to use his experience against one of the top prospects in the lightweight division. With a win, Menard would re-stake his claim as one of the top contenders in the weight class.

“It’s fight week. I’m feeling real good. Had one of my best camps ever. I’m prepared. I’m ready. It’s go time! All the hard work will pay off come December 8th on ESPN!” said Menard.

“This is a big week for No Limit Mindset! Both of my fighters are showing what they are made of by taking these types of fights against top level fighters on the biggest stage! I am excited to be in Philadelphia to watch Kalvin Henderson fight in another man’s hometown; then the next night at Madison Square Garden in New York City for Mason Menard on ESPN! This is what boxing is all about, taking calculated risks and coming out on top,” Said Shane Shapiro of No Limit Mindset LLC.

NEW YORK CITY (Nov. 5, 2018) – Teofimo Lopez is determined to take over the lightweight division. Italian heavyweight and former amateur standout Guido Vianello, who recently signed a multi-year professional contract with Top Rank, is hoping to make a statement in his scheduled six-round pro debut against Luke Lyons (5-1-1, 2 KOs).

Lopez (10-0, 8 KOs), who hails from Brooklyn, will battle Mason Menard (34-3, 24 KOs) for the vacant NABF lightweight title in a 10-rounder on the undercard of the Vasiliy Lomachenko-Jose Pedraza lightweight world title unification bout, Dec. 8 at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden.

Lomachenko-Pedraza, Isaac Dogboe’s WBO junior featherweight title defense against Emanuel Navarrete, and Lopez-Menard will headline a special edition of Top Rank on ESPN at 9 p.m. ET, which will follow the 84th Annual Heisman Memorial Trophy Presentation.

Vianello-Lyons and the rest of the undercard will stream live at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN+ — the new multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment in conjunction with ESPN.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Madison Square Garden, tickets for this world championship event are on sale now. Priced at $506, $356, $206, $106, and $56, tickets can be purchased at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008), and online at ticketmaster.com and MSG.com.

“The ‘Takeover’ is coming back to the Mecca of Boxing,” Lopez said. “I am going to steal the show once again. It’s my night. It’s time to finish 2018 with a bang. Expect a big celebration after I stop Mason Menard. I was born in Brooklyn, so you know I have to represent my hometown.”

“I am looking forward to fighting Teofimo on Dec. 8. It’s been my dream to fight at Madison Square Garden, and the fact that I am being given a chance to perform on Lomachenko’s undercard live on ESPN is incredible,” Menard said. “I can assure everyone that I will be 100 percent ready, and my performance will lead me to a world title shot.”

“I am so happy to be joining Top Rank and to debut at Madison Square Garden on a Lomachenko undercard, which is a dream come true for me,” Vianello said. “I will do my country proud. I promise I will bring excitement and knockouts to the heavyweight division and ultimately fulfill my destiny of becoming the heavyweight champion of the world.”

The 21-year-old Lopez emerged in 2018 with a string of dominating wins and attention-grabbing post-win dances. In May, on the Lomachenko-Jorge Linares undercard at Madison Square Garden, he knocked out Vitor Jones Freitas in the opening round and went viral after performing the “Take The L” dance from the Fortnite video game. He last fought July 14 in New Orleans, knocking out the durable William Silva in six rounds despite suffering a broken right hand earlier in the fight. He underwent surgery the following week. Fully recovered, Lopez hopes to make headlines once again. Menard, an 11-year pro with a vicious right hand, is coming off a decision victory against Ronald Rivas on Oct. 13 in Gary, Ind.

Vianello, a 6-foot-6 power puncher from Rome, went 87-15 in the amateur ranks and fell short in the Round of 16 at the 2016 Olympics. One of the most popular boxers to emerge from the Italian amateur system in quite some time, Vianello is training in Big Bear Lake, Calif., under the guidance of Abel Sanchez. He’s already sparred the likes of lineal heavyweight champion Tyson Fury as he prepares his transition to the paid ranks.

In addition to Vianello-Lyons, the ESPN+ stream will include:

Welterweight punching sensation Alexander Besputin (11-0, 9 KOs) will make the first defense of his USBA title against Juan Carlos Abreu (21-4-1, 19 KOs) in a 10-rounder. Besputin knocked out Alan Sanchez on Sept. 14 to win the belt. Abreu is coming off a competitive unanimous decision defeat to Egidijus Kavaliauskas, which headlined an ESPN broadcast on July 7 in Fresno, Calif.

Josue “The Prodigy” Vargas (11-1, 7 KOs), from The Bronx, N.Y., will make his Top Rank debut against John Renteria (16-5-1, 12 KOs) in an eight-round super lightweight fight. Vargas has won five straight since his lone defeat, which came via disqualification against Samuel Santana.

Michael Perez (25-2-2, 11 KOs) will come back from a nearly 20-month layoff to take on Abdiel Ramirez (23-3-1, 21 KOs) in an eight-rounder at lightweight. Perez, a longtime contender, hails from Newark, N.J.

For more information visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook: facebook.com/trboxing.Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing,@ESPN, @ESPNBoxeo, @ESPNDeportes.

Use the hashtag #LomaPedraza to join the conversation on social media.

To subscribe to ESPN+, visit www.plus.espn.com.

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the premium multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International (DTCI) segment in conjunction with ESPN.ESPN+ offers fans two exclusives, original boxing programs: The Boxing Beat with Dan Rafael (Tuesdays, weekly) and Counterpunch (twice monthly). In addition to exclusive Top Rank boxing content, programming on ESPN+ includes hundreds of MLB, NHL and MLS games, thousands of college sports events (including football, basketball and multiple other sports from more than 15 conferences), UFC (beginning in 2019), Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby, cricket, new and exclusive documentary films and series, acclaimed studio shows and the full library of ESPN’s award-winning 30 for 30 films. Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) and cancel at any time.

PHILADELPHIA (May 10, 2018) – Undefeated lightweight prospect Devin Haney and veteran Mason Menard made weight on Thursday for their 10-round main event matchup tomorrow/Friday on ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT) from 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, PA.

Haney (19-0, 12 KOs), a seven-time junior amateur champion, is a highly-touted prospect from Las Vegas taking a major step-up in opposition against Menard (33-2, 24 KOs), whose only loss in nearly a decade came to current WBO Lightweight Champion Ray Beltran. Menard, who will appear on ShoBox for the third time on Friday, debuted on the series in 2016 in dramatic fashion when he brutally knocked out the previously unbeaten Eudy Bernardo.

Super bantamweight prospects Josh “Don’t Blink” Greer (16-1-1, 8 KOs) and Glenn Dezurn (9-1-1, 6 KOs) nearly came to blows at Thursday’s weigh-in before they meet in the 10-round co-feature. Greer returns to ShoBox for the third time after scoring knockouts in his previous two appearances. The once-beaten Dezurn, who fights out of Baltimore, also returns to the series for the third time. Light heavyweight prospects Alvin Varmall Jr. (15-0-1, 12 KOs) and Charles Foster (15-0, 8 KOs) face their toughest opponents to date in an eight-round featured attraction.

In the opening bout of the telecast, undefeated super bantamweight Arnold Khegai (11-0-1, 8 KOs) meets veteran Adam Lopez (16-2-2, 8 KOs) in an eight-round bout, which will be Lopez’s record-setting seventh ShoBox appearance.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Greg Cohen Promotions, Devin Haney Promotions & Hard Hitting Promotions, are priced at $125 for VIP, $75 for ringside and $50 for general admission and are available at the 2300 Arena Box office or online at www.HardHittingPromotions.com

OFFICIAL WEIGHTS:

Lightweights – 10 Rounds

Devin Haney: 134 ¾ Pounds

Mason Menard: 134 ¼ Pounds

Super Bantamweights – 10 Rounds

Joshua Greer: 122 ¾ Pounds

Glenn Dezurn: 122 ¼ Pounds

Light Heavyweights – Eight Rounds

Alvin Varmall Jr.: 172 ¾ Pounds

Charles Foster: 174 ½ Pounds

Super Bantamweights – Eight Rounds

Arnold Khegai.: 120 ¼ Pounds

Adam Lopez: 121 ¾ Pounds

(See attached for a full bout sheet, including non-televised fights.)

FINAL QUOTES:

HANEY:

“I feel like this is my breakout fight. The world hasn’t seen me yet. They’ve seen me on social but they haven’t seen me on national television. This is my breakout. I’ve had people who have believed in me from a pretty young age and it’s about to pay off

“A lot of top prospects have been turning me down and Mason Menard was the guy that stepped up and took the fight. He’s the only guy that wanted to fight me.

“He has a lot of experience on paper. He’s been under the lights before. But my experience comes from in the gym. I sparred (Floyd) Mayweather for (Conor) McGregor. I sparred (Jessie) Vargas for (Adrien) Broner. That’s where my experience comes and we’ll see tomorrow who has more experience. He’s fought some pretty good guys but nothing like me.

“When I spar these top level guys they always say one more round, one more round, because they want to get me.

“Winning isn’t good enough. It’s about going in there and looking good. I want to go in there and show my full arsenal. I want to show I’m a complete fighter and not leave any doubts.

“I’m just going to go in there and be me. We’ll see how the fight plays out. I know he’s watched a lot of film on me, but I have a lot of different styles. I’ve learned from a lot of different people and come Friday night we’re going to show it.

“I need to take care of business tomorrow and hopefully I get a title eliminator next. The belts are tied up at 135 and the way my weight cutting s going I could make 130. So if given the right opportunity I could go for a title at 130.”

MENARD:

“There’s a lot of hype on Devin. We have a lot of respect for him but we also think there’s a lot of hype. He has good skill, good counterpuncher and is fast. I just have to make him fight at my pace. I have to make it a fight and hurt him.

“My only real loss was to a current world champion. He’s stepping into a whole different world and that’s going to be the difference. We want to see Devin in deep waters because we know he hasn’t been there before.

“A win here will catapult me back into the top contender ratings. We have a lot of confidence, the shoulder has healed well. It’s been smooth sailing in camp and we’re ready to go.

“Getting out of Louisiana has made a huge difference. Training in Dallas and Los Angeles I’ve gotten the best work of my career. For the (Ray) Beltran fight I had one sparring partner. I’ve had plenty of sparring partners for this fight.”

GREER:

“This opportunity against Dezurn, I couldn’t turn it down. So when they offered it I said, ‘let’s go.’

“He’s an average fighter. There’s nothing that impresses me. He’s in great physical shape and he’s going to be there for three or four rounds, but after that it will be a problem. As soon as I see him fade I’m going to step up my game and take him out.

“A win here could set me up for great things. I’d love to get in the new World Boxing Super Series.

“When I first started boxing I was facing tough competition. I had to find myself and now I found myself. The better the fighter the better I’m going to look.

“It’s easier for me to focus training outside of Chicago. That’s why we made the trainer switch. I can focus on boxing and sharpening my game. I’m in California sparring so I’ve sparred with some of the best guys. I’ve sparred with Olympians. I’m ready for any and everything.”

DEZURN:

“He brings a pillow to the ring and we’re going to give him a blanket. If I’m afraid of a pillow I’m in the wrong business. But that’s what he’s supposed to do to make this exciting.

“I just need to win. He talks a lot so I hope he can back it up. I’m like an old guy. I bring my lunch and go to work. My whole focus is to win.

“I want to be a nightmare for him. At the end of the day, I want him to think twice about bringing that pillow to the ring again.

“My job is to have good hands and be victorious. He’s young and he’s flamboyant and he’s going to make me look good when I beat him. When he talks it just gives me more motivation.”

VARMALL:

“This weight has been perfect for me. I’m taking my career very seriously now. I’ve been sparring with some good guys, getting good work in the gym. I’m ready for the move down to 175 and maybe 168 next.

“I’ve watched a little bit of tape on him but not too much. I’m worrying about myself, I’m not worrying about him. I’ve fought taller guys than him so I’m not too concerned with that.

“He’s definitely a step up, but it’s a step up for both of us. It’s his birthday and I owe him a present. We’re going to continue to work hard and shock the world.”

FOSTER:

“It’s a brawler vs boxer type fight. He’s going to be the shortest guy that I’ve fought. We know he’s going to try to come in and fight and we’re going to be ready.

“He looks good on paper, he’s undefeated. So this is a good test for us. Tomorrow we’ll see who is the better guy.”

KHEGAI:

“I’m ready to make my statement here in the U.S. I’ve fought a lot of fighters with good records and now I’m here to show the fans in America. My vision was to always fight in America and now it’s here.

“Ukrainian fighters are making a lot of moves in the U.S. and now it’s my time. This is where boxing lives. The future is here.

“Lopez is a good boxer. We’ll see what he’s made of and we’ll see what I’m made of.”

LOPEZ:

“I can get back to where I was with a win. I’ve been A-side, B-side, I’ve been in it all. I’m a veteran. And I know a win will get me back to where I need to be.

“This fight is very important. I’m no stranger to fighting undefeated guys. This is the fight that will gauge where I’m at right now. I feel like I’m close to getting where I need to be.

“I’ve seen all of his fights before. He’s a tough guy, so we need to beat him with a variety of punches.”

# # #

Barry Tompkins will call the ShoBox action from ringside with Steve 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.sho.com/sports follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, #ShoBox, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports.

About ShoBox: The New Generation

Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 73 fighters who have appeared onShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Errol Spence Jr., Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams, and more.

LAS VEGAS (May 4, 2018) – Undefeated WBC Youth Lightweight Champion Devin Haney worked out for the media Thursday at Mayweather Boxing Club in Las Vegas ahead of his ShoBox: The New Generation debut Friday, May 11 at 10 p.m. ET/PT live on SHOWTIME®.

The 19-year old Haney (18-0, 12 KOs), a seven-time national junior amateur champion, faces the toughest test of his career when he takes on veteran Mason Menard (33-2, 24 KOs) in the 10-round main event taking place at 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.

Super bantamweights Joshua “Don’t Blink” Greer (16-1-1, 8 KOs) and Glenn Dezurn (9-1-1, 6 KOs) both return to ShoBox for the third time, where they will meet in the co-feature. In an eight-round featured attraction, former national champion Alvin Varmall Jr. (15-0-1, 12 KOs) takes on Charles Foster (15-0, 8 KOs) in a matchup of undefeated light heavyweight prospects.

In the eight-round opening bout, undefeated super bantamweight Arnold Khegai (11-0-1, 8 KOs) will take on skilled veteran Adam Lopez (16-2-2, 8 KOs). It will be the record seventh appearance for Lopez on the popular ShoBox series.

Here is what Haney had to say Thursday.

On his recent training camp…

“For the first half of this camp I was working out in Las Vegas, getting good sparring with top level guys. For the second half of training camp I went to the Bay Area where I was training at the SNAC facility with Victor Conte. I got some amazing work out there as well. All in all, it’s been a magnificent training camp. Right now, my body is feeling fantastic and I’m ready to shine on fight night.”

On facing his toughest opponent to date, Mason Menard…

“Menard has a lot of power in both hands and he’s fought some very tough opponents. He’s got a lot of experience and is by far my toughest opposition. I’m confident in my ability to come out victorious. On May 11th, everyone will see what all the hype is about. I’m going to bring the heat.”

On making his SHOWTIME debut…

“This will be my coming out party. I’m going to show the world that Devin Haney was born for these moments and my talent will be on display come fight night.”

On fighting in Philadelphia for the vacant USBA/IBF Lightweight Title …

“This will be my third time fighting as a professional in Philadelphia. I love the fans out there. I have tons of friends and family in Philly, so I consider Philadelphia a home away from home. The USAB title will be on the line so you already know I’m coming to put on a show. Many great boxers in the past and present have all fought in Philadelphia. I want to follow in their footsteps and become great. I’m making my own history one fight at a time.”

Mason “Rock Hard Mighty” Menard is focused and determined like no other time during his career.

The lightweight contender moved six hours from his home and two children in Louisiana to train with a new team in Dallas alongside the likes of WBC World Super Welterweight Champion Jermell Charlo and IBF Welterweight Champion Errol Spence Jr.

Menard (33-2, 24 KOs) will face undefeated Devin “The Dream” Haney (18-0, 12 KOs) of Las Vegas for the USBA Lightweight Championship on Friday, May 11, in the 10-round main event of the popular prospect series ShoBox: The New Generation quadrupleheader (10 p.m. ET/PT) on SHOWTIME from 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.

In the 10-round co-feature, super bantamweight prospects Josh “Don’t Blink” Greer (16-1-1, 8 KOs) and Glenn Dezurn (9-1-1, 6 KOs) will meet. In an eight-round featured attraction, light heavyweight Alvin Varmall Jr. (15-0-1, 12 KOs) takes on Charles Foster (15-0, 8 KOs); and in the opening televised fight, super bantamweight Arnold Khegai (11-0-1, 8 KOs) will face Adam Lopez (16-2-2, 8 KOs) in an eight-round bout.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Greg Cohen Promotions, Hard Hitting Promotions & Devin Haney Promotions, are priced at $125 for VIP, $70 for ringside and $50 for general admission and are available at the 2300 Arena Box office or online at www.HardHittingPromotions.com.

“Everything has changed,” said Menard. “The way I eat in my off-time, my team, my management, my trainers, the way I train. Everything.”

The 29-year-old Menard says his home state of Louisiana simply couldn’t offer the level of training he is now getting, working with new trainers Nathan Pipitone, Maurice James and Aaron Navarro, while sparring with world champions.

“I’m in Dallas to better my career,” Menard continued. “Louisiana just doesn’t have what I need to take it to the next level and compete. I’m working hard here and it’s what I need. I’m pushing the tempo and sharpening my skills.”

Fighting live on ShoBox in 2016, Menard scored a brutal Knockout of the Year candidate over previously undefeated Eudy Bernardo and got another ShoBox win later that year with an impressive KO over Bahodir Mamadjonov. He then suffered his only loss since 2008, in a short-notice showdown with WBO Lightweight Champion Raymundo Beltran.

He returned from the setback in March 2017 with a decision win, but suffered a serious injury.

“I had a detached front rotator cuff tendon and partial torn biceps tendon. It gave out on me in my last fight in the first round. I’ve had surgery on it, and rehabbed it, and now I’m ready to return to the world stage. I’m in with a good, slick boxer, but my trainers have a game plan and we have been working on a few things that he does, just to be prepared for what’s to come against him. I’ll be ready.”

Menard says the hardest part of preparing to face one of boxing’s most talked-about prospects on national television is the loneliness of missing his two beloved daughters, Demi (8 years old) and newborn Amelia.

“I get homesick. I miss my babies back home, but it’ll all be worth it,” he said. “It’s my job and I’m going to do it.”

About Greg Cohen Promotions

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

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

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

In addition to Trout, Greg Cohen Promotions has worked with established names such as former unified and two-time heavyweight champion Hasim “The Rock” Rahman and all-time-great multiple-weight class world champion James “Lights Out” Toney.

Cohen currently promotes Undefeated WBO NABO Heavyweight Champion and top 10 world-rated contender Jarrell Miller, Undefeated WBA NABA Middleweight Champion and top 5 world-rated contender Robert Brant, WBO NABO Lightweight Champion and top 5 world-rated contender Mason Menard, former WBA Interim World Lightweight Champion and top 10 world-rated contender Ismael Barroso, top 10 world-rated contender Rico Mueller, undefeated WBA International Bantamweight Champion and world-rated contender Mzuvukile Magwaca, WBO Oriental Super Welterweight Champion and world-rated contender Dennis Hogan, IBO World Featherweight Champion Lusanda Komanisi, former WBO Super Lightweight World Champion Kendall Holt, as well as current top 10 world-rated contenders cruiserweight Olanrewaju Durodola, Filipino Jr. Lightweight star Harmonito Dela Torre, Filipino Super Lightweight Czar Amonsot, and top 15 world-rated contenders featherweight world title challenger Eric Hunter and Guyanese bantamweight Elton Dharry.

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

For more information, visit gcpboxing.com. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GCPBoxing. Twitter: @GCPBoxing.

Beverly Hills, Calif. (April 25,2018) – Lightweight contender Mason Menard (33-2, 24 KOs) is training very hard for his upcoming battle with undefeated Devin Haney (18-0, 12 KOs) that will headline a ShoBox: The New Generation card, live on SHOWTIME (10 PM ET / PT) on Friday, May 11th at The 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.

Menard has set up training camp in Dallas, Texas for this important battle, which is now for the USBA Lightweight title.

“Training Camp is Dallas is going great. I’m feeling comfortable with my new team around me, and being around elite guys in the gym like Errol Spence, Jermell Charlo, Rob Brant and Cem Kilic has made me a better fighter,” said Menard. “My only real loss was to world champion Ray Beltran. May 11th can’t come soon enough because I am ready to show the boxing world that Devin Haney is taking too big of a step up, and I am back.”

This will be the first bout with new Manager, Shane Shapiro of No Limit Mindset Management.

“I am excited for Mason’s return to the ring. With a new management team around him, a repaired shoulder, an elite trainer and quality sparring partners, fight fans will see an improved Mason Menard on May 11th,” said Shapiro, CEO of No Limit Mindset. “I truly believe that being in the gym with guys like Errol Spence and Jermell Charlo for entire camp will bring out the best in Mason. Devin Haney is a great fighter, and has a lot of hype around him, but come fight night, he will realize that he took too big of a step up in opposition.”

Menard is promoted by Greg Cohen Promotions.

NEW YORK (April 5, 2018) – Highly regarded undefeated lightweight Devin Haney will face the toughest test of his career in veteran Mason Menard in the 10-round main event of ShoBox: The New Generation Friday, May 11 live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT) from 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.

The 19-year-old Haney, who was a seven-time national junior amateur champion, has been considered a blue-chip prospect since turning professional at the age of 16 in Mexico. Haney (18-0, 12 KOs) will face by far the toughest opponent of his career in his ShoBox debut against Menard (33-2, 24 KOs), a two-time ShoBox veteran whose only loss in nearly a decade came to current WBO Lightweight Champion Ray Beltran.

“The boxing world will see something they’ve never seen a 19-year-old professional boxer do,” Haney said. “I’m intimidating and I know it. I’m thankful to SHOWTIME and Mason Menard for giving me this opportunity, unfortunately for him, he will get a chance to see first-hand what all the hype is about. I’ve been sparring with former world champions like Jesse Vargas in preparation for this fight. The fact that I’m fighting in the main event is bringing out the best in me. It’s my time to show the world what I’m made of and I’m coming to make a statement in this fight. Mason Menard is in trouble!”

The young and flashy Haney fights out of Las Vegas, where he has earned a reputation as a prodigy having sparred with Floyd Mayweather, Shawn Porter, Jessie Vargas and Rances Barthelemy. He compiled an amateur record of 130-8 and received a special exception from the Nevada State Athletic Commission when he was just 17 years old to make his U.S. debut on the undercard of Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley III.

Haney, who is trained and managed by his father, William Haney, has been active since turning pro with nine fights in 2016 and seven in 2017. In his last fight on Nov. 4, he scored a fifth-round TKO against Hamza Sempewo in Atlanta.

Menard had an emphatic win in his ShoBox debut in 2016 with a brutal Knockout of the Year nominee of previously unbeaten Eudy Bernardo. He returned later that year with a knockout victory of Bahodir Mamadjonov before facing Beltran on short notice. Prior to the 2016 loss to Beltran, Menard’s only blemish was a 2008 defeat in just his third professional fight.

“It’s a privilege for me to be able return in a fight on national television again,” Menard said. “My all-around game will be different. I have a new team, a repaired shoulder and a different outlook on things. Haney may be undefeated, but he’s never faced anyone like me. If everyone expects me to fold against an untested prospect they are in for a big surprise.”

After facing Beltran, Menard changed trainers and is now based in Los Angeles with trainers John Pullman and Buddy McGirt.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Greg Cohen Promotions, Devin Haney Promotions & Hard Hitting Promotions, are priced at $125 for VIP, $75 for ringside and $50 for general admission and are available at the 2300 Arena Box office or online at www.HardHittingPromotions.com

Beverly Hill, Calif. (August 15, 2017) – Shane Shapiro’s No Limits Mindset, LLC is pleased to announce the signing of lightweight contender, Mason Menard to an exclusive managerial contract.

Menard of Rayne, Louisiana has a record of 33-2, 24KO’s.

Menard, 28 years-old and is a 10 year-professional.

Menard catapulted to national prominence with with explosive knockout victories over Eudy Bernardo (21-0), and Bahodir Mamadjonov (19-2) on ShoBox: The New Generation.

“The thing I love about Mason is that he is a fighter who is extremely dedicated to his craft, he is very easy to talk to and he is a family man who has his priorities in order. Mason is the type of fighter every manager wants to work with, the kind of guy who is always in the gym and will fight anyone I put in front of him,” said Shapiro.

“Big things! I’ve been waiting a while for something like this to happen. It’s exactly what I need,”said Menard. “Shane stepped in and is willing to help me get to the level I need to be at. We both are big believers in God and this is all God’s work through answered prayers. Looking forward to the future with my man Shane. We are two young and hungry guys helping out each other with our God given talents. All I can say is, world stay tune, we coming for the straps!”

Shapiro seemed very excited to add Menard to his stable of fighters. Shapiro stated “The thing I love about Mason is that he is a fighter who is extremely dedicated to his craft, he is very easy to talk to and he is a family man who has his priorities in order. Mason is the type of fighter every manager wants to work with, the kind of guy who is always in the gym and will fight anyone I put in front of him” when asked what made him most excited about signing Menard.

The sky’s the limit for Menard according to Shapiro.

“I don’t see any other scenario than Mason owning a piece of the Lightweight World Championship crown fighting against all the big names at 135. If he continues to dedicate himself to his craft, I believe my team will get him the biggest fights possible.”

A change in training camps is also what Shapiro believes will lead to a new and improved Mason Menard.

“One thing that me and Mason both spoke about is the fact that I am based out of Los Angeles, and that we would look to move his training camps out here in LA, where there is better sparring available to him outside of what he has been accustomed to in Louisiana. I believe that with a change in training environment and better sparring this will result in even better performances from Mason inside the ring in future fights.”

Louisiana based fight fans better pay close attention to the next time you see Mason Menard (They are shooting for an early 2018 return) on a fight poster, according to Shapiro.

“I think we will have Mason have 1-2 fights locally in Louisiana and then look to showcase him across the United States.”

The move seems to be a positive one for the Menard camp as he mentioned that the signing with No Limit Mindset means.

“Big things! I’ve been waiting a while for something like this to happen. It’s exactly what I need. Shane stepped in and is willing to help me get to the level I need to be at. We both are big believers in God and this is all God’s work through answered prayers. Looking forward to the future with my man Shane. We are two young and hungry guys helping out each other with our God given talents. All I can say is, world stay tune, we are coming for the straps!” finished Menard.

Menard is coming off of an 8 round decision victory over Carlos Cardenas (22-14) in March of this year. Menard was also featured on an HBO card against rugged veteran Ray Beltran. A fight in which Menard suffered a shoulder injury that required surgery that has kept him out of action for the remainder of 2017.

Shapiro is also the manager of Super Middleweight prospect Cem Kilic (8-0 5 KOs) and Middleweight prospect Kalvin Henderson (7-0 4 KOs)

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND (December, 8, 2016) – Undefeated heavyweight contenders JOE PARKER (21-0, 18 KOs), of Auckland, and ANDY RUIZ, JR. (29-0, 19 KOs), of Mexicali, Mexico, world-rated No. 1 and No. 3 by the World Boxing Organization (WBO) respectively, will be battling for the vacant WBO heavyweight world title on Saturday. The fight will be televised in the U.S. on a same-day delay opening the HBO World Championship Boxing® telecast at 9:35 p.m. ET/PT, followed by the live telecast from CenturyLink Center Omaha, featuring the 10-round NABF/NABO lightweight championship fight between Top-10 contenders RAY BELTRAN (31-7-1, 19 KOs), of Phoenix, AZ, and MASON MANARD (32-1, 24 KOs), of Rayne, LA, and the Main Event, undefeated WBO/ World Boxing Council (WBC) / Ring magazine junior welterweight champion TERENCE “Bud” CRAWFORD (29-0, 20 KOs), of Omaha, Neb., defending his titles against No. 1 contender JOHN MOLINA JR. (29-6, 23 KOs), of Covin, Calif. This will be Crawford’s first defense of his unified titles and his third televised world chmpionhip fight of 2016.

Below are the comments from Parker, Ruiz and their teams from their final press conference, as reported by intrepid publicist Ed “Kiwi” Keenan, who is on the scene.

BOB ARUM:

Bob, who would you put your money on?
“I don’t put money on fights. I do give Andy a great chance to win this fight. I always tell people, the best way to lose money is to bet on a fight.

“Andy is in sensational shape for this fight.

“Andy has the fastest hands in a heavyweight that I have seen since Muhammad Ali. And he really stands in there and takes the fight to his opponent. The winner of this fight will be the preeminent heavyweight.

“The competition in the heavyweight division will be great in the years to come and these two will lead it. Ruiz and Parker will help make the heavyweight division the premier division in boxing.

“We’re celebrating my (85th) birthday here in New Zealand on December 8, which really isn’t my birthday because back home where I was born it will be December 7.”

BRUCE TRAMPLER:

“This is a historic fight and if I wanted two trainers for a fight I would pick these two – Abel Sanchez (Ruiz) and Kevin Barry (Parker). It’s the perfect storm these two fighting. I can’t imagine a better matchup. Two athletic hard-fighting guys that won’t take a step back. There are two two-weight classes in boxing – the heavyweights and then everyone else.”

ABEL SANCHEZ:

“We have two guys here that are the future of the heavyweight division. They will show us the way heavyweights are supposed to fight like. I am on a streak but that was Russia and this is New Zealand so we have to start a new streak.

“Kevin is an old fashioned kind of trainer like I am. I don’t have strength and conditioning coaches or nutritionists, I do it all myself

“Andy lost 35 pounds and it wasn’t plastics or diet. We ran a gym that made him work hard. And he lost the weight a little bit at a time. The guys in my camp weigh in every day, and they each need to be at same weight or less than they were the day before. So I can tell when they are cheating – eventually it catches up to them.

‘There are 68 world champions out there and all of their coaches are geniuses.

“Key improvements are up here (pointing to his head). He has skills already. My job is to get him mentally prepared to fight.

“Can he stay away from Joe’s jab? “Can Joe stay away from Andy’s jabs, and combinations?”

“The guy that can impose his will to win. Andy is very confident. The game plan will come after imposing his will.

:”There are different ways to lose weight. When you lose the weight you become a sharper puncher. You may lose a little power but gain sharpness.

“Heavy work was don in camp – right now we just wait for the fight. These two guys could fight tomorrow if they needed to.

“We sparred eight 4-minute rounds every day that was the hard part and Andy did 11 the day before I left for Russia. Andy is in the best shape of his life.

“I think Saturday is a tough 12-round fight. We are going to have a fight where they hurt each other. Heavyweights recently have been wrestling. This is going to be a real fight. I know I am going to have to work a full 12 rounds also as well as I know Kevin will too.

“They have treated us great in New Zealand. The people on the streets have been coming up and wishing Andy good luck, even though they aren’t on Andy’s side.”

KEVIN BARRY:

“This is a great fight. This is the best heavyweight fight of the year. They both have a chance to make history here. Joseph is a very confident boxer and that rubs off on a fighter. The crowd will be behind Joseph and that will lift Joseph to new heights. Joe understands the power he has and it will give him the drive and determination that will carry him.”

ANDY RUIZ

“This is my chance and I didn’t come all the way to New Zealand to lose. I know everyone is underestimating me. I know I trained hard for this fight. I hear everyone commenting on how I look physically, but imagine now that I am in great shape, how good I will be on Saturday night. I know I am an exciting fighter – I will use lots of footwork and throw a lot of combinations – and we both hit hard.

Does Parker have more pressure on him since he’s fighting at home?
“Both of us have pressure. I don’t know what Parker thinks about how much pressure he has on him, but I hope he feels like he has more pressure. I am confident in the work that I have done in training.”

“I know we are both prepped for 12 rounds. I don’t talk a lot of trash or anything. But when the bell rings we both flip the switch. I have a family to feed and I fight for them.

“This is a great opportunity for me and I’m not leaving New Zealand without that belt.”

JOSEPH PARKER

“There are two nights to go until the fight and I am very excited for the fight and excited to have it in New Zealand. We are not underestimating Andy Ruiz. We know he is in great shape. We both know that we are in great shape and we each know each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

“Yes, we did spar together. I was in Las Vegas and new to the sport. I went in to spar with him [Ruiz] and thought it would be easy because of his size but when we were sparring he hit me pretty good and he chased me out of the ring and now I have to get him back for that. He’s coming to my backyard. I have to defend my country’s honor.

“We use the same routine for this fight as all the others – it is the one that has always worked.

“I will use the support in the building to motivate me and that will drive me throughout the fight.

“Andy wants to take the belt back with him and I want to keep it here. I want to go out there and win this and win it well.

“I know Andy is a nice guy and there is no hate between us. But when the bell rings on Saturday night we flip the switch and we will each be trying to knock the other guy out.”

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Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with TGB Promotions, remaining reserved seat tickets to the Crawford – Molina world championship event, priced at $27, $52, $77 and $127, can be purchased at the CenturyLink Center Omaha box office and all Ticketmaster outlets. To charge-by-phone call (800) 745-3000. To order online, visit ticketmaster.com.

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com, or www.hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo or facebook.com/hboboxing, and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, or twitter.com/hboboxing. Use the Hashtag #CrawfordMolina to join the conversation on Twitter.

HBO Boxing presents an action-packed tripleheader from two sites when WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING: TERENCE CRAWFORD VS. JOHN MOLINA JR. AND RAYMUNDO BELTRAN VS. MASON MENARD AND JOSEPH PARKER VS. ANDY RUIZ JR. is seen SATURDAY, DEC. 10 at 9:35 p.m. (live ET/ tape-delayed PT) from CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Neb. and Vector Arena in Auckland, New Zealand on HBO. The HBO Sports broadcasting team will call the action, which will be available in HDTV, closed-captioned for the hearing-impaired and presented in Spanish on HBO Latino.

Other HBO playdates: Dec. 11 (8:50 a.m.) and 12 (12:45 a.m.)

HBO2 playdate: Dec. 11 (3:40 p.m.) and 13 (midnight)

Omaha native Terence “Bud” Crawford (29-0, 20 KOs), 2014’s Fighter of the Year, defends his junior welterweight title for the third time in 2016 before enthusiastic hometown supporters when he meets John Molina Jr. (29-6, 23 KOs) of Covina, Cal. in a 12-round bout.

The 29-year-old Crawford enjoyed an impressive 2015 with knockout victories against top 140-pound contenders Thomas Dulorme and Dierry Jean. Known for speed, precision, defense and power, he defeated Hank Lundy last February and returned to the ring in July to score a dominating victory over the highly regarded, undefeated Viktor Postol in a junior welterweight unification title bout that had the boxing community buzzing. Unafraid of trading blows at close range, Crawford has won four of his last six bouts by thrilling stoppages.

The Omaha showdown marks the third time HBO Sports has traveled to the city for a Crawford fight and is his ninth live fight on HBO.

Molina Jr. is a hard-hitting, high-pressure brawler who challenged for a world title in 2012, and returns to the ring after a career-best upset of heavily favored former junior welterweight champ Ruslan Provodnikov in June. Using skills not seen in previous fights, Molina won a unanimous decision while skyrocketing up the rankings, with some organizations now rating him as high as number one in the world.

The evening’s co-feature is ten-round lightweight battle between two rugged veterans eager to compete for a title shot in 2017. Raymundo Beltran (31-7-1, 19 KOs), a native of Mexico now living in Phoenix, will square off with Mason Menard (32-1, 24 KOs) of Rayne, La. in a crossroads fight for both competitors. Since losing a unanimous decision to Terence Crawford in 2014, Beltran, 35, has notched two impressive knockout wins, while Menard, 28, has also defeated his last three opponents via knockout.

Opening the tripleheader is a world heavyweight title bout from Auckland, New Zealand between hometown favorite Joseph Parker (21-0, 18 KOs), 24, and Mexico’s Andy Ruiz (29-0, 19 KOs), 27, in a 12-round affair. Presented on same-day delay, the fight marks the first world title shot for two fast-rising undefeated competitors, both of whom aim to become their country’s first world heavyweight titleholder.

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

The executive producer of WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is Rick Bernstein; producer, Dave Harmon; director, Johnathan Evans.

® WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is a registered service mark of Home Box Office, Inc.

Rayne, Louisiana’s “Rock Hard Mighty” Mason Menard (32-1, 24 KOs) knows he’s in for a tough challenge when he makes the first defense of his WBO NABO Lightweight Championship against fellow top-10 contender Ray Beltran (31-7-1, 19 KOs) of Phoenix, Arizona, on Saturday, December 10, at CenturyLink Center Omaha in Omaha, Neb.

The 10-round Menard vs. Beltran lightweight showdown will serve as the middle bout of an HBO World Championship Boxing tripleheader (9:35 p.m. ET/PT) that will open with the same-day delay telecast of the Joseph Parker vs. Andy Ruiz, Jr. WBO heavyweight championship in New Zealand.

Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with TGB Promotions, the exciting event will be headlined by undefeated World Junior Welterweight Champion and top-rated pound-for-pound fighter TERENCE “Bud” CRAWFORD (29-0, 20 KOs), of Omaha, Neb., making the first defense of his unified World Boxing Organization (WBO) / World Boxing Council (WBC) /Ring magazine 140-pound world titles against one-time world title challenger and current No. 1 contender
JOHN MOLINA JR. (29-6, 23 KOs), from Covina, Calif.

Remaining reserved seat tickets to the Crawford – Molina world championship event, priced at $27, $52, $77 and $127, can be purchased at the CenturyLink Center Omaha box office and all Ticketmaster outlets. To charge-by-phone call (800) 745-3000. To order online, visit ticketmaster.com.

“I know Beltran has been around a long time and he’s fought at the top level many times. He is very tough and I know he will bring it,” said Menard.

The 28-year-old Menard punched his way into world contention this year with a pair of high-profile knockouts. In April of this year, he scored one for the highlight reels by starching formerly undefeated Eudy Bernardo with one punch in round three. Video HERE.

Then in August, he returned with another KO, this time against well-regarded Uzbekistani Bahodir Mamadjonov in the ninth round. Video HERE.

“2016 has been a great year for me,” he continued. “I’ve had two consecutive KO’s on national television and one is a candidate for ‘Knockout of the Year.’ I also won an award from the WBO in Puerto Rico. Now this fight has fallen into my lap and I will make the best of this opportunity.”

Another impressive victory for Menard would land him in world title contention… a fact not lost on the excited slugger. “Landing this fight is big for me and my career. A win here should put me in position to fight for a world title next. It should open doors me and make me a serious contender in the lightweight division.”

Menard is taking this tough challenge on relatively short notice, but says he’s in great shape and will be fully prepared for battle on December 10. “Yes, I am ready. I was already training to fight December 15. It’s now or never. I believe God has blessed me with this fight because I’ve been praying for a big one to get me to the next level.”

The Menard vs. Beltran bout is presented by Top Rank in association with Greg Cohen Promotions. The CenturyLink Center Omaha is located at455 North 10th Street in Omaha, Nebraska.

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For fight updates go to www.toprank.com, or www.hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo or facebook.com/hboboxing, and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, or twitter.com/hboboxing. Use the Hashtag #CrawfordMolina to join the conversation on Twitter.