Wladimir Klitschko made the 18 consecutive defense of the Heavyweight title (IBF/WBA?/WBO) with a tougher than expect ed 12-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Bryant Jennings at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Klitschko won the majority of the rounds by being a bit more active while Jennings tried to grind his way in and having some success with body work in close. Jennings was able to get in a few head shots but Klitschko was able to muse much of the offense with a lot of holding. The holding got excessive enough for a point to be taken from Klitschko in round nine. Klitschko had a little cut under his left eye while Jennings bled from the mouth.

Klitschko won by scores of 116-111 twice and 118-109 and is now 65-3. Jennings of Philadelphia is now 19-1.

Sadam Ali won a 10-round unanimous decision over Francisco Santana in a Welterweight bout.

Ali of Brooklyn won by scores 97-93, 97-93 and 100-90 and is now 22-0. Santana of Santa Barbra, CA is now 22-4-1.

Ali landed 196-588 punches while Santana was 153-720.

NEW YORK (April 23) – Undefeated welterweight star and former 2008 U.S. Olympian, Sadam “World Kid” Ali (21-0, 13 KOs) is getting ready to face Francisco “Chia” Santana (22-3, 11 KOs) as the co-main event for “The Champion Returns” the World Heavyweight Championship between undisputed heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko and top-rated challenger Bryant Jennings at “The World’s Most Famous Arena,” Madison Square Garden on Sat. April 25. The doubleheader will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Ali took some time to give us his thoughts during fight week about his training, his opponent and fighting at the legendary Madison Square Garden. Below is what he had to say:

Thoughts on training and what fans should expect on April 25…

“I have been in training for eight weeks. Our focus for this camp has been to stay calm, be smart in the ring and adapt to whatever my opponent brings.

“On April 25 fans should expect a great performance. I will showcase my speed and power. The fight will be entertaining; two hungry fighters are going to go in the ring to win.

“I think fans will be surprised to see how I have grown as a fighter. My skill set has improved and just keep getting better. I am faster and stronger.”

Thoughts on Francisco Santana…

“Francisco is a tough fighter. I know he is coming off of a winning streak and is a hungry fighter. My strategy is to fight smart, stay focused, have a great defense. I need to make sure I am using my best assets in the ring: mind, speed, power.

“A win against Francisco Santana will be another step closer to my goal, to one day be a world champion. I just have to focus and get there one fight at a time.”

Thoughts on fighting at Madison Square Garden …

“Madison Square Garden is a historic place for boxing and fighting here makes it feel like everything that I have worked for in my career is now coming to life.

“The arena is in my home state and I am so happy that everyone can come out and support me. It’s amazing that I will get to fight in front of everyone in my hometown.

“It’s a dream to be able to fight on an amazing heavyweight main event, Klitschko vs. Jennings, at Madison Square Garden the most famous arena in New York. Also, being on HBO it can’t get any better than this in this at this stage of my career and I am excited that I get to be part of this event.”

Thoughts on Klitschko vs. Jennings…

“It’s going to be a great fight that the fans cannot miss.”

Predictions on Mayweather vs. Pacquiao or Canelo vs. Kirkland…

“These are the kind of fights fans want to see and these match ups are perfect for an entertaining night boxing on May 2 and May 9.”

Sadam Ali vs. Francisco Santana is a 10-round welterweight bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Gary Shaw Productions. The HBO World Championship Boxing telecast begins at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Wladimir Klitschko vs. Bryant Jennings is presented by K2 Promotions and Gary Shaw Productions in association with Madison Square Garden.

Advance tickets to “The Champion Returns” may be purchased through the Madison Square Garden Box Office at www.TheGarden.com and through Ticketmaster, (www.Ticketmaster.com, phone 1-800-435-5000.)

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com,www.garyshawproductions.com, and www.hbo.com/boxing, follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @GaryShawBoxing and @HBOBoxing, become a fan on Facebook at Golden Boy Facebook Page, Gray Shaw Productions Facebook Page, or www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing and visit us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing and @HBOboxing.

The world’s premier heavyweight returns to New York for a title showdown when WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING: WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO VS. BRYANT JENNINGS AND SADAM ALI VS. FRANCISCO SANTANA is seen SATURDAY, APRIL 25 at 10:00 p.m. (live ET/tape-delayed PT) from Madison Square Garden in New York City. The HBO Sports team will call all the action, which will be available in HDTV, closed-captioned for the hearing-impaired and presented in Spanish on HBO Latino.

Other HBO playdates: April 26 (10:00 a.m.) and 28 (11:30 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: April 26 (3:30 p.m.) and 27 (11:30 p.m.)
Boasting a collection of title belts, Wladimir Klitschko (63-3, 54 KOs) from Kiev, Ukraine, and now residing in Miami, takes on Philadelphia’s undefeated Bryant Jennings (19-0, 10 KOs) in a scheduled 12-round championship contest. Long dominating the heavyweight division, three-time champ Klitschko won his first title belt in March 2001. He has a sterling championship bout record of 24-2 and is on a 21-fight victory streak since his loss to Lamon Brewster in April 2004. At one point he and his now-retired brother, Vitali, concurrently held every major heavyweight championship belt between them.
The upcoming bout marks Wladimir’s first fight in the U.S. since 2008 and his 20th HBO bout; he first appeared on the network in July 2000 when he handled Monte Barrett with a seventh-round TKO.
Training in Oakland, Cal., Jennings hopes to use his power and ring agility to spring one of the biggest surprises in recent heavyweight history. His previous two opponents were undefeated prior to facing off against Jennings, while the combined records of his last four opponents was 82-4 before they encountered him.
The opening bout is a scheduled ten-round welterweight contest between Brooklyn’s Sadam Ali (21-0, 13 KOs) and Francisco Santana (22-3-1, 11 KOs) of Santa Barbara, Cal. Ali made his HBO debut last November with a dominating knockout performance against Luis Carlos Abregu. Now he’ll defend his undefeated record against Santana, who’s making his HBO debut.
Immediately following the live boxing, HBO Sports will present the premiere of MAWEATHER/PACQUIAO: THE LEGENDS SPEAK. The half-hour special includes interviews with the five fighters who have faced both Pacquiao and Mayweather in the ring. De La Hoya, Marquez, Cotto, Mosley and Hatton.
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.

SANTA BARBARA, CA (April 7, 2015) – Gary Shaw Productions rising star, welterweight Francisco “Chia” Santana (22-3-1, 10 KOs), is riding a 10-fight winning streak going into his highly anticipated clash with undefeated 2008 U.S. Olympian, Sadam “World Kid” Ali (21-0, 13 KOs). Santana gives his thoughts on this match-up, his training camp and fighting at Madison Square Garden on the undercard of Klitschko vs. Jennings. The doubleheader will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Training camp update…
“Training camp is going as planned. I’ve added a few new things that will be on display April 25th. Right now it’s about sharpening up the tools that got me here. There is nothing that needs to be changed. I’ve been active so I know I’ll be ready to showcase my talents on HBO come fight night.”

Reflects on his journey to Madison Square Garden…
“It’s been a hard fought journey to get where I’m at today. After suffering a few losses I decided I was going to dedicate my life to this sport and give it my all. With a lot of hard work and support from my promoter Gary Shaw, I’m now fighting on the biggest stage at the most prestigious venue in boxing. Madison Square Garden is where every fighter dreams they can fight. It’s my time to show the world I’m on the championship level.”

Relationship with Trainer Joseph “Hoss” Janik…
“When you have the right trainer in your corner, it’s truly a blessing. Hoss is the man and he always tells me like it is. If I’m not doing something right he’ll let me know right away, he doesn’t beat around the bush. I’m on a ten fight winning streak and he has a lot to do with it. You couldn’t ask for a better man in the corner.”

Sparring at Wild Card Boxing Gym…
“When you walk into the Wild Card gym you know going in its going to be a rugged day of sparring. The gym is filled with world champions and top prospects. You can’t replicate the work you get there.”

On his matchup with Sadam Ali…
“Sadam Ali is a world class fighter with elite boxing skills, but I feel my style will give him problems. He puts his punches together well and he made a strong statement in his last fight against Abregu. A win against Ali will propel me into a world title fight. Believe me when I say I’m going to bring it on April 25th, it’s going to be a brutal war!”

Sadam Ali vs. Francisco Santana is a 10-round welterweight bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Gary Shaw Productions. The HBO World Championship Boxing telecast begins at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Wladimir Klitschko vs. Bryant Jennings is presented by K2 Promotions and Gary Shaw Promotions in association with Madison Square Garden.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.garyshawproductions.com, and www.hbo.com/boxing, follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @GaryShawBoxing and @HBOBoxing, become a fan on Facebook at Golden Boy Facebook Page, Gary Shaw Productions Facebook Page, or www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing and visit us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing and @HBOboxing.

NEW YORK CITY (March 25, 2015) – The undefeated Sadam “World Kid” Ali and fast -punching Francisco “Chia” Santana will face off at “The World’s Most Famous Arena”, Madison Square Garden on Sat. April 25 as the co-feature to “The Champion Returns”, the World Heavyweight Championship between undisputed heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko and top-rated challenger Bryant Jennings. The doubleheader will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Gary Shaw Productions, the 10-round welterweight showdown between two of the sport’s rising stars will give fans an exciting night of boxing as they open up the telecast before the highly anticipated heavyweight main event.

Advance tickets to “The Champion Returns” may be purchased through the Madison Square Garden Box Office at www.TheGarden.com and through Ticketmaster, (www.Ticketmaster.com, phone 1-800-435-5000.)

“I’m excited to fight in my home state of New York and at Madison Square Garden,” said Brooklyn, New York’s Sadam Ali. “Some of the greatest fighters in the sport have made their mark at this venue; Muhummad Ali, Joe Lewis, Oscar De La Hoya, Bernard Hopkins and I’m ready to be part of that history. Francisco is a tough fighter and I’m ready to take him on and with the help of my promoter Golden Boy Promotions move forward to becoming a world champion.”

“I’ve earned my way to the position I’m in because I’ve fought and beat fighters who were undefeated,” said Francisco Santana of Santa Barbara, California. “Nothing has come easy to me on the way up. Fighting stiff opposition is what prepares a fighter for the next level and I’ll be ready for anything Sadam Ali brings. My promoter Gary Shaw told me if I kept winning he would get me a big fight, and here we are getting ready to fight one of the best young contenders in the world. A win against Ali will sky rocket my career and that’s exactly what I plan to do.”

“Coming off of an exciting match that saw him knockout a previously undefeated fighter, Sadam is now looking to take a next, crucial step up the welterweight ladder,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Founder and President of Golden Boy Promotions. “With lightning-quick hands, true knockout power and a hunger to be the best in the division, the ‘World Kid’ is a must-see for all fans.”

“Francisco Santana is a warrior who grinded his way up the rankings and earned this fight against Ali on HBO,” stated Gary Shaw. “This is a feel good story about a kid who fought his way to the big stage and bright lights of Broadway. Those bright lights are now shining on his career. I’ve always said, a fighter who is hungry is very dangerous, and Santana is famished. He wants to win this fight and show the world he’s worthy of a world title shot. I believe Santana is the underdog in the public’s eye, but he will once again fool the public with a great win on April 25.”

“We’re happy to add this exciting co-feature to this extraordinary event headlined by the World Heavyweight Championship between Wladimir Klitschko and Bryant Jennings,” said Tom Loeffler of K2 Promotions. “The matchup of these two rising stars should provide for a very strong opening fight to the HBO telecast.”

Former 2008 U.S. Olympian, Sadam “World Kid” Ali (21-0, 13 KOs) has been on the fast track to success in boxing since his professional debut in 2009. The undefeated fighter impressed critics and fans early on, dominating all his opponents, including Michael Clark whom he beat via knockout in the first round on April 2014 to gain the WBO NABO Welterweight Title. In August of the same year, Ali defeated Jeremy Bryan via split decision to gain the WBO Inter-Continental Welterweight Title. In his most recent bout and the most notable to date of Ali’s career, he faced Juan Carlos Abregu knocking him down in the sixth and ninth round winning by technical knockout in the ninth round to give Abregu his second career loss.

Undefeated since 2012, Francisco “Chia” Santana (22-3-1, 1 KO) has solidified himself as one of the brightest and most dangerous stars in the welterweight division. His victories against former undefeated prospect Eddie Gomez and veteran Joachim Alcine, have propelled him to the top of the weight class. Santana’s most recent wins came by way of knockout. In August of 2014, Francisco stopped Luis Alfredo Lugo in the fifth round, followed by a spectacular first round knockout of another undefeated prospect in Kendal Mena, a bout that took place in January of 2015. Santana is ready to add another win to his record when he faces Sadam Ali on April 25.

Sadam Ali vs. Francisco Santana is a 10-round welterweight bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Gary Shaw. The HBO World Championship Boxing telecast begins at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Wladimir Klitschko vs. Bryant Jennings is presented by K2 Promotions and Gary Shaw Promotions in association with Madison Square Garden.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.garyshawproductions.com, and www.hbo.com/boxing, follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @GaryShawBoxing and @HBOBoxing, become a fan on Facebook at Golden Boy Facebook Page, Gray Shaw Productions Facebook Page, or www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing and visit us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing and @HBOboxing.

LOS ANGELES (March 20) – 2008 U.S. Olympian and undefeated welterweight contender Sadam “World Kid”Ali has renewed his promotional contract with Golden Boy Promotions. The WBO NABO and WBO Intercontinental welterweight titlist caught the attention of many when he became the first Arab-American to represent the U.S. in the Olympics. Since then, the buzz on Ali has continued thanks to his impressive record of 21 wins and 13 knockouts.

“The undefeated Sadam ‘World Kid’ Ali is, without a doubt, a top contender to be world champion one day,” said Oscar De La Hoya, President and Founder of Golden Boy Promotions. “I’m pleased Golden Boy Promotions will continue to work with him. We want to put on the best fights for the fans and I know Sadam is also committed to that goal, which is why he is a natural fit for Golden Boy Promotions. He is a tough fighter willing to fight anyone, and that’s what you need to do in order to become a champion.”

“I am excited to continue to work with Golden Boy Promotions,” said Sadam Ali. “They have put me up against tough fighters that have challenged me and helped me grow into the fighter I am today. I am ready for a world title fight, and I know Golden Boy Promotions will help me achieve that goal.”

A former 2008 U.S. Olympian, Sadam “World Kid” Ali (21-0, 13 KOs) has been on the fast track to success in boxing since his first round stoppage of Ricky Thompson in his professional debut in 2009. The undefeated fighter impressed critics and fans early on, dominating all his opponents, including Michael Clark whom he beat via knockout in the first round on April 2014 to gain the WBO NABO Welterweight Title. In August of the same year, Ali defeated Jeremy Bryan via split decision where he added the WBO Intercontinental Welterweight Title to his collection. In his most recent bout and the most notable to date of Ali’s career, he faced Juan Carlos Abregu knocking him down in the sixth and winning by technical knockout in the ninth round to give Abregu his second career loss.

More information on Ali’s next fight will be announced soon. For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing, @OscarDeLaHoya, @RealWorldKidAli become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.Facebook.com/WorldKidAli or follow on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing, @OscarDeLaHoya and @TheWorldKidAli.

NEW YORK (Nov. 10, 2014) – Undefeated welterweight and newly crowned WBO Intercontinental Welterweight Champion Sadam “World Kid” Ali made a statement Saturday night with a remarkable ninth-round technical knockout victory over Argentine slugger Luis Carlos Abregu. Ali, a hot prospect in the welterweight division, may have broken into the boxing mainstream Saturday night with his dominating performance as the co-featured event on the “Bernard Hopkins vs. Sergey Kovalev” undercard. It was his first fight on HBO World Championship Boxing® and a major step up in competition for the fighter who upped his record to 21-0 with 13 knockouts.

While Ali has much to be proud of as he enjoys his recent victory, he will take time to honor our nation’s military veterans as he participates in the annual New York City Veteran’s Day Parade also known as “America’s Parade.” As a native of Brooklyn and a 2008 U.S. Olympian, Ali is a great addition to the day’s festivities.

He will ride on a float as a guest of Wounded Warrior Project® amidst 1,000 soldiers and 600,000 spectators.

“It’s an honor to be able to pay homage to the great men and women who support our country,” said Ali. “They fight for our freedom and are true champions. I’m thrilled to be included and I hope New Yorkers come to the parade and show their support.”

“We can take for granted the veterans who risk their lives to protect the things that make this country so great and I’m happy to be able to give back,” said Ali.

Ali (21-0, 13 KOs) took a slow and steady approach to his professional career, but since signing with Golden Boy Promotions in 2013, Ali has been fighting in the fast lane and continues to impress including his major win on Saturday night. Other wins include recent bouts over Jay Krupp, Jesus Selig, Michael Clark and Jeremy Bryan, the dynamic Ali heads into 2015 with open options in one of the most divisions in boxing.

For more information follow www.twitter.com/realworldkidali, www.twitter.com/goldenboyboxing, @theworldkidali and @goldenboyboxing on Instagram or go to www.goldenboypromotions.com

ATLANTIC CITY–Sergey Kovalev scored a 12-round unanimous decision to retain the WBO and capture the IBF and WBA Light Heavyweight championship at Boardwalk Hall.

It started well for Kovalev as he landed a lead right that dropped Hopkins in the first round. In round three Hopkins laned a double forearm that sent Kovalev to the canvas. Hopkins briefly got into the fight later in the round as he landed a perfect right in between an attempted flurry. Kovalev finished the round strong by landing a nice right. Kovalev applied constant pressure and got through with enough punches to sweep the first half of the fight.

Hopkins had a couple of moments in round seven as he landed a few rights with one seemingly knocking Kovalev off balance. In round eight, Kovalev rocked Hopkins with a hard overhand right but was unable to do any further damage. In round ten, Hopkins drilled Kovalev with a hard overhand right. In round twelve, It started well for Hopkins as he buckled Kovaleve with another hard right. That seemed to set off the Russian as Kovalev landed a flurry of punches and had Hopkins in trouble like he hasn’t been in his career. Hopkins was able to reach the final bell by taking heavy punches in the ropes. That image maybe the last in the incredible career of Hopkins.

Kovalev, 174 1/2 lbs of Russia won by scores of 120-107 on two cards and 120-106 and is now 26-0-1. Hopkins, 173
Sadam Ali scored the biggest win of his career as he stopped Luis Carlos Abregu in round nine of their scheduled 10-round Welterweight bout.

Abregu pressed the action while Ali used movement to stay out of harms way and occasionally peck in some shots. Ali started to throw a little more fire in round six. Ali then connected with a hard left hook that sent Abregu to the canvas. Ali came out in round seven and landed a hard right hand. Abregu came later in the round to catch Ali with a hard left hook. Ali started round eight with a beautiful counter left off the ropes. Abregu smelled bllod to start round nine as he pummeled Ali along the ropes. Ali fired out and landed a perfect left hook to save him from danger. Ali then landed a hard left hook to the body that buckled Abregu. Ali then unleashed a perfect left that dropped Abregu hard to the canvas. Abregu continued but not for long as Ali pounced on the hurt Abregu and the fight was stopped at 1:54 of round nine.

Ali, 146 lbs of Brooklyn, NY is now 21-0 with 13 knockouts. Abregu, 146.5 lbs of Salta, ARG is now 36-2.

Nadjib Mohammadi scored a 1st round stoppage over Demetrius Walker in a scheduled 10-round Light Heavyweight fight.

Mohammdi dropped Walker in the 1st from a hard right then a follow up body flurry. He dropped him again with a hard right and the fight was stopped at 2:16.

Mohammedi, 176 lbs of AIx en Provence, FRA is now 37-3 with 22 knockouts. Walker, 174.5 lbs of Kansas City is now 7-8-1.

Vyacheslav Glazkov scored a 7thround stoppage over Darnell Wilson in a scheduled 10-round Heavyweight bout.

Glazkov battered Wilson for much of the fight and the bout was stopped before round eight.

Glazkov, 220 lbs of Lugasnk, UKR is now 19-0-1 with 12 knockouts. Wilson, 239 lbs of Miami is now 25-18-3.

Eric Hunter scored a 6th round stoppage over Daniel Ramirez in a scheduled 10-round Jr. Lightweight bout.

It was a good fight with both guys landing good shots. Hunter dropped Ramirez in round six with a hard right hand. He continually hit Ramirez until the fight was stopped after Ramirez was rocked with a hard right at 1:23 of round six.

Hunter, 128 lbs of Philadelphia is now 19-3 with 10 knockouts. Ramirez, 127 lbs of Los Angeles is now 11-2.

Sullivan Barrera remained undefeated as he stopped Rowland Bryant after round four of their scheduled 8-round Light Heavyweight bout.

Barrera dropped Bryant in round two from a right hand. The bout was stopped in between round’s four and five.

Barrera, 175 lbs of Miami is now 14-0 with 9 knockouts. Bryant, 174 lbs of Altamonte Springs, FL is now 18-4.

Andrey Sirotkin scored a 6-round unanimous decision over Michael Mitchell in a Light Heavyweight bout.

Sirotkin, 169 lbs of Zubobo, RUS won by scores of 60-54 on all cards and is now 5-0. Mitchell, 168 lbs of Paterson, NJ is now 3-5-2.

Ryan Martin scored a 2nd round stoppage over Isals Gonzalez in a scheduled four round Jr. Welterweight bout.

Martin, 136 lbs of Chartanooga, TN is now 9-0 with 5 knockouts. Gonzalez, 135.5 lbs of Tucson, AZ is now 17-4.

HBO Sports presents the fall’s most-anticipated boxing event when WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING: BERNARD HOPKINS VS. SERGEY KOVALEV AND SADAM ALI VS. LUIS CARLOS ABREGU is seen SATURDAY, NOV. 8 at 10:45 p.m. (live ET/tape-delayed PT) from historic Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, exclusively on HBO. The HBO Sports team will be ringside for the event, which will be available in HDTV, closed-captioned for the hearing-impaired and presented in Spanish on HBO Latino.

Other HBO playdates: Nov. 9 (8:45 a.m.) and 10 (12:30 a.m.)

HBO2 playdate: Nov. 11 (10:30 p.m.)

The most accomplished light heavyweights in boxing take the spotlight when Bernard Hopkins (55-6-2, 32 KOs) meets Sergey Kovalev (25-0-1, 23 KOs) in a red-hot title unification fight scheduled for 12 rounds. The bout marks Hopkins’ 22nd appearance on HBO and Kovalev’s fifth appearance on the network in a 15-month span.

Philadelphia native Hopkins, who continues to defy the odds and the critics, enters the ring two months shy of his 50th birthday as the oldest champion in history. Widely considered one of the greatest middleweights ever, with victories over Oscar de la Hoya, Roy Jones, Jr., Antonio Tarver and Felix Trinidad, he unified middleweight titles when he defeated Beibut Shumenov by split decision in April. As the more traditional boxer, Hopkins will seek to use ring generalship and veteran savvy to again unify titles.

Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev, 31, is one of the most feared light heavyweights today. During his five years as a pro, only one opponent has lasted more than seven rounds against the heavy-handed Russian, who currently owns a nine-fight knockout streak. He will look to extend that run in Atlantic City, which has hosted his last two title defenses.

In the opening bout, Brooklyn’s Sadam Ali (20-0, 12 KOs) squares off against Argentina’s Luis Carlos Abregu (36-1, 29 KOs) in a ten-round welterweight fight. The undefeated Ali, 26, is a rising prospect making his third ring appearance of 2014. Abregu, 30, knocked out the undefeated Thomas Dulorme in his last appearance on HBO in 2012. He holds an impressive seven-fight winning streak since his only loss, against former welterweight champion Timothy Bradley. The winner will likely enter the discussion of world title contenders in this competitive division.

The special “24/7 Hopkins/Kovalev” replays Saturday at 11:00 a.m. (ET/PT) on HBO.

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.

BERNARD HOPKINS, IBF & WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion

“There are so many things I’ve done that the world of boxing has witnessed. It’s going to be difficult for the boxing people to pick one of my performances as the best.

“I’ve done so many unpredictable things and so profoundly. Even the people who want to go against me, are afraid to go against me. They’ve been wrong so many times. A lot of them are just being mum right now. They must feel I can still do things.

“This is a great position to be in. I don’t really believe there is any fighter, in any decade that can be in my position of luxury that I’ve been in for many years.

“Early on in my career I had the kind of anxious where you couldn’t sleep at night. That anxiousness is like a virus we all have in us. Some you can deal with but some will wipe you out.

“The Pavlik fight was the first time I heard the masses put the word knockout attached to my opponent. I’m real keen on what people say. Ninety percent of it might be garbage, but something in there might be the plan. That woke me up and I knew I wanted to destroy.

“The only thing I can do is be right about what I say. Because I know I’m being watched. I understand what I’m facing. All I can do is put the work behind it.

“I didn’t need to take any fight for the last 10 years. But I’ve always fought the best and I’ve always wanted to prove myself to the best.

“I always not only want push the envelope in my career but I also have an itch for going against the grain.

“Enjoy that you can see me now. I would love to see the great Michael Jordan and Julius Erving in their younger days, but they’re gone. Look at me at 50, I’m going to eat right and live right so I can take less punches and look normal.

“This fight isn’t about boxing, it’s something deeper than that.

“I was made to be where I’m at. I just had to go through some challenges, so that I can educate others later.”

SERGEY KOVALEV, WBO Light Heavyweight World Champion

“Fifty is just a number. I think nothing of his age. If he was old he would be retired, but he’s still in there. He’s not an old man, he’s a young alien.

“I’m really excited for this fight. I will do my job and anything I need to do to win.

“Bernard likes to push everybody, inside the ring or outside. We’re ready to begin. We’re ready to fight. I feel like I’ve been fighting him for two months going to the gym every day.

“I don’t know what will happen November 8 because this is sports, this is boxing. But I will be ready. I will get a chance to be undisputed and I’m ready to do it. That is my goal.

“I need to do what I do and do it very well.

“I can think back and remember everything from early in my career, but I don’t want to do that. It was often very terrible and it was hard to get to this stage and this place.

“I was searching around for any promoter but no one would sign me. I fought for three years for free. In 2013, Kathy Duva signed me and my career has gotten much better. Being on a big fight on TV is what I’ve always wanted.

“Egis Klimas paid for everything when I was starting out, my opponents, my clothes and my food. He invested a lot into me.

“This fight is a great opportunity for me to create my history for me and my family. I will do that. When my son grows up he will be able to look at this and say, ‘that is my father.’ He can see that I did it for him.

“I can’t make any predictions. We will see everything on November 8. It’s boxing, it’s a fight. For me, any fight like this is a street fight, anything can happen.

“I’m going to go in to fight. I’m going to box, I’m going to show that I can fight with the best light heavyweight right now.

“From my side everything will be clean and fair. I don’t know what he will be doing.

“My life has already changed but this fight means everything.”

NAAZIM RICHARDSON, Hopkins’ Trainer

“Sergey Kovalev is an exceptional puncher. We haven’t seen him hurt guys of extreme quality yet, but we can’t take for granted what we’ve seen against the opposition he’s faced. He’s annihilated these dudes, that’s how he wins fights.

“Kovalev is a monster. He’s a beast. He punches harder than Hercules. But I don’t want people to defang him on Sunday. If Kovalev is all of these things that people say he is and Bernard beats him, you better start that car and drive him straight to Canastota and induct him into the Hall of Fame right now.

“We’re too late in the game to overhaul from training camp to training camp. We train Bernard Hopkins. The rest of the world adjusts to Bernard Hopkins. Each camp we strive to get the best Bernard Hopkins we can.

“We don’t even call it training camp. It’s a lifestyle for Bernard. They’re just dates we all get together.

“It’s genetics. It’s lifestyle. There are many variables that mesh together to make Bernard who he is. We just have to appreciate him while he’s here.

“With a win over Kovalev it separates so that now he should go to the Hall of Fame as ‘The Executioner’ and ‘The Alien.’ A win over Kovalev only adds to ‘The Executioner’ but it would also solidify a Hall of Fame career for the ‘The Alien.'”

JOHN DAVID JACKSON, Kovalev’s Trainer

“Sergey’s talent is still untapped. He could be a really special fighter. He needs to get past this fight here first and then the sky is the limit for him.

“His punching power is so unreal it makes him hard to deal with.

“I warned Bernard’s camp a few years ago, don’t fight this Kovalev kid. I don’t know what they told Bernard. But I told them please don’t fight this kid.

“This is business at the end of the day. Bernard can talk about me all night long but I don’t have to get in the ring with him.

“Sergey doesn’t understand English that well so it doesn’t matter what Bernard says. There’s mutual respect, but fight week is here so we’ll see what happens.

“Sergey is ready. Bernard is all he talks about. Beating Bernard is the next phase of the plan. If you beat a fighter of that magnitude it takes you to the next level.”

SADAM ALI, Undefeated Welterweight Contender

“Luis Carlos Abregu is not someone you should overlook or underestimate. He has power in both hands. He gives you a lot to worry about in the ring because of his tremendous power.

“There is no limit for me. I just want to keep going and going. This is the biggest fight of my career and I just have to be on my A-game.

“I worked on defense a little more than usual in training camp, I think anyone who fights Abregu should. I’ve been training hard and I’m mentally and physically prepared. No weight lifting, but a lot of calisthenics.

“It’s been a long journey to get here. It hasn’t been going as fast as I expected it to but there’s a plan for all of us. This is the biggest fight of my career, I hope there are bigger fights coming but so far it’s the biggest.

“I have a tough opponent and I think a lot of people are underestimating me. I’m the underdog now, which I’m not used to being. I’m putting in the time and the work in the gym and I’m ready.

“Everybody is entitled to their opinion and I honestly like being looked at as the underdog. I want to be underestimated, that way you’re going to be surprised by what I bring to you.

“I’ve put in the time at the gym so I’m not worried about getting tired at all. I have to be heads up in the ring.

“This fight is definitely a bigger step up than people thought I was going to take but after I win this I will prove a lot of people wrong.

“Everybody needs to take this kind of step if they want to be special and I want to be special. I know I am special. Training camp was great and I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for a long time.

# # #

“Alien vs. Krusher: Hopkins vs. Kovalev” is a 12-round unification bout for the IBF, WBA and WBO Light Heavyweight World titles, presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Main Events in association with Caesars Atlantic City, Corona Extra, AT&T, Hortitsia Vodka and Mexico, Live it To Believe It!. Ali vs. Abregu is a 10-round welterweight bout for the WBO Intercontinental title and is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank.
The HBO World Championship Boxing telecast begins at 10:45 p.m. ET/PT.

Tickets priced at $300, $200, $150, $100 and $50, plus applicable fees and service charges, are on sale now and available for purchase at the Boardwalk Hall box office, by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 736-1420 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.mainevents.com, www.hbo.com/boxing or http://www.boardwalkhall.com/.

Follow on Twitterat www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/main_events, www.twitter.com/hboboxing, www.twitter.com/THEREALBHOP,
www.twitter.com/krusherkovalev and www.twitter.com/BoardwalkHall and #alienvskrusher.

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ATLANTIC CITY (Oct. 31) – As we inch closer to the epic “Alien vs. Krusher: Hopkins vs. Kovalev” fight night in Atlantic City, welterweight contenders Sadam “World Kid” Ali and Luis Carlos “Potro” Abregu are preparing hard for their co-featured fight on Saturday, November 8 live on HBO World Championship Boxing.

Both Ali and Abregu offered insight into how their training camps are going and what the fans can expect on November 8.

Q: Where did you train and whom did you train with?
Sadam Ali: I’ve been training at World Kid Sports for eight months, before this training camp started, it’s my little boxing cave. I’m here with my trainers Willie Vargas and Andre Rozier. My team has a close bond. We’re like family and we work together as a
team. It’s all about building and building.

Luis Carlos Abregu: I have been training in Los Angeles for about a month – I train in the Rock Gym in Carson, Calif. and CMC Pro boxing gym in Marina del Rey with my trainer Hector Roca. My trainer when I was in Argentina was Nestor Jaime.

Q: What is your main motivation in training for this fight?
SA: Being on HBO. I’ve been growing up watching HBO and watching the most famous guys shine and I’ve always envisioned myself in that position. I want to be in everybody’s eyes and I want to be known as something special, that’s very important to me.

LCA: My motivation is to get this win, so that I will have a chance to fight for a world title again. This dream was put on hold after I hurt my hand in my fight with Tim Bradley, but I’m ready to go now.

Q: What do you like to do when you’re not training?
SA: I like to shoot pool, go bowling and maybe play some ping-pong. I like competition and I love winning.

LCA: I like to be with my family and make my parents proud with everything I do. I also like to spend time with my friends and have a good time hanging out with them.

Q: Have you been able to spend time with your family during training?
SA: I spend a lot of time with my family. My only job is boxing, so other than that I have lots of time with my family. Their support is really important and it’s always been there. Not everybody has that support, not everybody has a father that can be there for you 24/7 while you’re growing up. My family has helped put me in the position I’m in and I’m thankful for it.

LCA: My family is in Argentina, so here in the United States, I have only my team with me. But I will bring the victory home for them.

Q: What do you know about your opponent and what do you expect from him on November 8?
SA: I’m expecting a hungry fighter, a strong fighter. Somebody who sees nothing but winning, he wants to win and he wants to take me out of his way. He’s a great fighter and I have respect for him, but I’m ready to go out there and perform.

LCA: I know he is a boxer who had a very good amateur career. I hope that he engages with me so that it will be a good fight. I plan to give the fans their money’s worth and I will fight very hard. I hope that he will do the same so that everyone enjoys the fight.

Q: Do you feel any extra pressure fighting as the co-feature before arguably the biggest fight of the year?
SA: I’m used to the pressure because I’ve always seen myself in this position so it’s not really anything to get me nervous. I’m definitely ready and excited. To be on the Hopkins card is exciting, he’s such a great speaker and he says things that just inspire you.

LCA: I feel no pressure at all. I have been the main event in many important boxing shows. To the contrary, I love to be part of important cards that people want to see.

Q: With this being one of the first fights in a while between Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank fighters, do you feel any pressure company?
SA: In addition to representing myself, I always feel like I’m representing Golden Boy too. It’s great to bring everyone together, I think we should all work together. It’s for the boxing fans and everybody that’s watching.

LCA: I think it’s definitely a good thing when two important boxing companies work together. This opens more doors for boxers and it gives all of us better and bigger opportunities.

Q: What is something about you that fight fans don’t know?
SA: I’m going to win November 8.

LCA: I feel that many people don’t know about my power and what I am capable of doing in the ring and that I can beat the best boxers in the world.

Q: What is your prediction for you fight?

SA: I think it’s going to be a great performance. I’m going to fight a smart fight. It’s definitely going to be exciting, that’s just the way I am. I want to excite the fans and I want them to want to see me again. I know Abregu is coming to fight too so it’s going to be beautiful.

LCA: I predict that I will win the fight and that it will be a great fight, if we both come ready to do our jobs. I’m hoping that after the fight the real winner will be the fans.

Question for Ali: What does it mean to you to be a fighter from Brooklyn?
SA: Being a Brooklyn fighter means a lot to me, I was born and raised here. Everybody is hungry here and there have been so many great fighters from here. Even though it’s not like how it used to be, I’m trying to bring it back as well. There’s a lot of those guys I look up to, Mike Tyson obviously, I’m close with Paulie Malignaggi and Luis Collazo. Can’t forget about Riddick Bowe and Mark Breland, there are so many great ones I can’t remember them all.

Question for Abregu: What does it mean to you to represent Argentina?
LCA: I am very proud to represent my country and I also know that is a great responsibility. That is why I will do my best to take a win back to Argentina for all of the people there.

# # #

Alien vs. Krusher: Hopkins vs. Kovalev” is a 12-round unification bout for the IBF, WBA and WBO Light Heavyweight World titles, presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Main Events in association with Caesars Atlantic City, Corona Extra, AT&T, Hortitsia Vodka and Mexico, Live it To Believe It!. Ali vs. Abregu is a 10-round welterweight bout for the WBO Intercontinental Welterweight title and is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank.
The HBO World Championship Boxing telecast begins at 10:45 p.m. ET/PT.

Tickets priced at $300, $200, $150, $100 and $50, plus applicable fees and service charges, are on sale now and available for purchase at the Boardwalk Hall box office, by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 736-1420 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.mainevents.com, www.hbo.com/boxing or http://www.boardwalkhall.com/.

Follow on Twitterat www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/main_events, www.twitter.com/hboboxing, www.twitter.com/THEREALBHOP,
www.twitter.com/krusherkovalev and www.twitter.com/BoardwalkHall and #alienvskrusher.
Become a fan on Facebookat www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/maineventsboxing, www.facebook.com/therealbhop, www.facebook.com/hboboxing and www.facebook.com/BoardwalkHall.

Atlantic City, NJ (Oct. 2) – A member of the 2008 United States Olympic team who is rapidly speeding up the welterweight ladder, Brooklyn’s Sadam “World Kid” Ali will look to announce his arrival on the international stage at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ on Saturday, November 8, when he faces his biggest challenge to date in the form of veteran Luis Carlos “El Potro” Abregu. The bout will open the HBO World Championship Boxing telecast headlined by the light heavyweight title unification showdown between Bernard “The Alien” Hopkins and Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev beginning at 10:45 p.m. ET/PT.

“This is the big fight I’ve been asking for, and I’m ready to perform on November 8,” said the unbeaten Ali. “Abregu is a seasoned veteran. He hits hard and he comes to fight. It’s the type of win that will put me in the title picture, and I can’t wait to put on a great fight for the fans and bring the win back to Brooklyn.”

“I’ve been sitting back watching my fellow Argentinian brothers Marcos Maidana, Lucas Matthysse and Diego Chaves all get their opportunities to fight in the U.S. and now its my time to show the boxing world the best fighter from Argentina is me,” said Abregu. “I have been avoided by Manny Pacquiao, Brandon Rios and Ruslan Provodnikov so I thank Sadam Ali for stepping up to fight me. November 8 I will show the fans why I am the best and most exciting fighter from Argentina! Viva!”

“The cold war is officially over – but that peace will not extend to the ring when two of the top contenders in the 147-pound division go head to head in Atlantic City,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Founder and President of Golden Boy Promotions. “I have made a promise to the fans that nothing will stand in our way of putting on the best fights our sport has to offer – consider this monster match-up between a Top Rank fighter and a Golden Boy Promotions fighter another example of making good on that pledge.”

“Can’t miss this battle,” said Carl Moretti, Vice President of Boxing for Top Rank, “This is youth versus experience. There is no chance of it going the distance – whoever wins, wins by knockout.”

“A main event of the caliber of Hopkins vs. Kovalev merits a worthy co-feature like Ali vs. Abregu,” Peter Nelson, Vice President of Programming, HBO Sports said. “An even match-up, this fight is likely to be decided on whether Ali has perfected his multifaceted style to a greater purity than Abregu’s lethal punch.”

One of the welterweight divisions top young talents, 26-year-old Sadam “World Kid” Ali (20-0, 12 KOs) took a slow and steady approach to his professional career after representing the U.S. in the 2008 Olympic Games, but since signing with Golden Boy Promotions in 2013, Ali has been fighting in the fast lane and looking more and more impressive each step of the way. Winner of recent bouts over Jay Krupp, Jesus Selig, Michael Clark and Jeremy Bryan, the dynamic Ali can make a move into the 147-pound top ten with a victory over Abregu this November.

A shining example of the hard-hitting and rugged fighters produced by Argentina, Salta’s Luis Carlos “El Potro” Abregu (36-1, 29 KOs) goes for the knockout every time he steps into the ring making him a fan favorite both at home and abroad. Winner of seven straight fights (six by knockout) since the lone loss of his career via decision to Timothy Bradley in 2010, the 30-year-old power hitter and WBC Silver champion has scored victories over Thomas Dulorme, Antonin Decarie and Jean Carlos Prada in his last three bouts, and with that trio holding a combined 73-1-1 record, Abregu is more than ready for the unbeaten Ali.

Tickets priced at $300, $200, $150, $100 and $50, plus applicable fees and service charges, are on sale now and available for purchase at the Boardwalk Hall box office, by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 736-1420 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

“Alien vs. Krusher: Hopkins vs. Kovalev” is a 12-round unification bout for the IBF, WBA and WBO Light Heavyweight World titles, presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Main Events in association with Caesars Atlantic City, Corona Extra, AT&T, Hortitsia Vodka and Mexico, Live it To Believe It!. Ali vs. Abregu is a 10-round welterweight bout promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank. The HBO World Championship Boxing telecast begins at 10:45 p.m. ET/PT.

“24/7 Hopkins/Kovalev” premieres Saturday, Oct. 18 at 12:15 a.m. ET/PT on HBO immediately following the live World Championship Boxing telecast.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.mainevents.com, www.hbo.com/boxing or http://www.boardwalkhall.com/.

Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/main_events, www.twitter.com/hboboxing, www.twitter.com/THEREALBHOP,
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In the first made fight between Top Rank and Golden Boy in several years, Luis Carlos Abregu will take on Sadam Ali in a Welterweight bout on November 8 in Atlantic City as the HBO-televised co-feature to Bernard Hopkins and Sergey Kovalev Light Heavyweight unification bout, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“Hopefully, this is the first of many fights to be made with Golden Boy,” Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti told ESPN.com, adding that negotiating the bout with Golden Boy vice president Eric Gomez was “easy.”

“Abregu is the most avoided welterweight in the world,” Sean Gibbons, his agent, told ESPN.com. “He was turned down by Manny Pacquiao, Brandon Rios and Mike Alvarado. They didn’t want to fight him. They didn’t want anything to do with him. So he is very happy to finally get back on HBO (where he faced Bradley and Dulorme) and follow in the footsteps of his successful countrymen, Marcos Maidana and Lucas Matthysse. Now it’s his turn.

“Like he did with Dulorme, Abregu is here to make a statement against Ali and show that in 2015 he can get an even more meaningful fight with one of the champions.”

“The best sparring Abregu ever got was against Sadam Ali,” Gibbons said. “They were both training in the gym for their own fights and they gave each other great work. I was really surprised and happy that Sadam Ali believes he can beat Abregu. He must think highly of the sparring sessions they had.”