By Mario Ortega Jr.-

Fathers indoctrinating their sons, especially first borns, into their line of work is a long standing worldwide tradition. The sport of professional boxing is one of the many trades that has been handed down from one generation to the next in the history of humankind. Some second generation fighters have found great success emulating their fathers, while many others failed to excel inside the squared circle, perhaps in part to the inherent pressure that comes with following in large footsteps on a grand stage. Steve “USS” Cunningham is one father that left mighty big shoes to fill for his aspiring fighter sons. The former two-time world cruiserweight champion’s first born and namesake, Steve Cunningham Jr., looks to one day put his name on the side of the ledger of second-generation boxers that fighters like Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Cory Spinks call home. The junior Cunningham begins that journey as he makes his professional debut in boxing’s capitol on April 29th, on a card titled “Sons of Legends,” at the Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. 

The elder Cunnigham’s pro career was just starting to ramp up when he and his wife brought young Steve Jr. into the world. Despite bestowing his first son with his own name, Cunningham did not originally plan on molding his offspring into a world class boxer. “From the cradle I was actually more like, ‘No, my son is not going to box.’ I don’t know why, but maybe because I saw how dirty this business could be at that time,” remembers Senior. “I was signed with Don King and they were frustrating years for me. I beat everybody they put in front of me, but it was just a very uncomfortable contractual situation. So I’m like I don’t want my son going through this.”

The way life worked out for the Cunninghams played a part in Steve Jr. developing an affinity for the sport of boxing. “My wife worked and I went to the gym,” recalls Steve Sr. “I would take him to the gym, packed in the car seat and at around seven, I’d have him workout with me. I didn’t want him sitting there doing nothing and getting into trouble at the gym. It wasn’t that he showed talent, but I was just like, ‘Why not have him box?’ If I was a lawyer I would send him to law school. Or if I were a doctor, I would send him to medical school. I’m a boxer and not just a boxer, but a two-time world champ. Let me give him a shot.”

Having a world champion father surely opens doors for an aspiring second generation boxer, but with that advantage comes some strings attached. “Being his son, you never get a light sparring [session] or any easy sparring,” explains Cunningham Jr. “Whoever spars you or comes to your area, you get the hardest sparring there is. They bring their game. I will see them spar somebody else and think, ‘Dang, you didn’t spar them nearly as hard you sparred me.” They try to test you or get over on you.” 

As Cunningham progressed in his pursuit of an amateur boxing career, he closely followed the career of his father as one might expect. The elder Cunningham has had a great career, but when you go up against the best in the world as many times as “USS” did, there are bound to be some setbacks. 

“There was one thing I remember, and I don’t think he remembers this: it was after the first Adamek fight,” describes Senior. “When we were in the locker room after the fight…and it was a great fight, it was smoking. Junior said ‘When I grow up, I’m going to beat him for you.’ And I was like alright man, cool. So we are going to find Adamek, and in a few years he will be old as hell and he’ll have to fight Junior now. I remember that. That has been on my mind for years.”

While Cunningham Jr. may not remember vowing to defend his father’s honor after the first of two fights his dad had with the great Tomasz Adamek, there were other tough nights he does remember. 

“The [Amir] Mansour fight was a crazy one because we were sitting there watching the fight and it was going good and then boom, he gets dropped,” remembers Cunningham Jr. of the 2014 bout.” And I looked over to my cousin and we started praying. Then he gets up and he gets dropped again. I thought, ‘It’s going bad, it’s going bad.’ Then he ends up coming back in the fight and whipping him. Finishing the fight and whipping him. It was really inspiring, we almost broke the ring celebrating that night.”

The two-time world champion father Steve Cunningham Jr. has always looked up to is also the man he looks up to from his stool in between rounds. The elder Cunningham did not always have confidence in his training ability, but found words of wisdom from the legendary Naazim Richardson that led him on the right path before a 2015 event held between fighters from Pittsburgh and fighters from Cuba. 

“I called Brother Naazim and I was biting my nails, telling him, ‘We have got to fight a Cuban. I am going to send Junior to live with you for two months.’ Brother Naazim was like, ‘Listen, you have everything you need to train him to beat this Cuban.’ I was nervous as heck, but what he said and with what happened, for him to say I had enough to train him to win that fight, that helped to propel me as a coach. 

As a fighter I excelled, but as a coach I didn’t know a damn thing. But I’ve been blessed to be under the wing of guys like Brother Naazim, Coach Shar’ron [Baker], Anthony Chase, Richie Giachetti…all of these guys I have trained under and I have stolen from, along with my own experience in the ring, and that’s what we get. With that we were able to beat a Cuban and I was like, ‘Wow, here we go.’” 

Just as the elder Cunningham began the only prolonged layoff of his pro career, Steve Jr. came onto the scene at the national level in 2018. “Starting out it was cool and the only tournaments I would do were the Silver Gloves,” explains Cunningham. “The Silver Gloves are cool, but nothing compared to the national tournaments. It was a great experience, but the nationals are another level. Three to four rings running at one time. They are just knocking the fights out. It’s pretty dope. It’s fast-paced. You’ve got to keep your head in the game, stay locked in and be ready.”

During the 2020 USA Boxing National Championships (which were held in April 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic), the father-son duo of Steve Cunnighams did something maybe no other father and son have done together before: prepare for major boxing events that they each were going to compete in the same month. Just a couple weeks after the tournament, where Junior would end up short in the quarter-final round, the original Steve Cunningham competed for the first time in sanctioned action in over three years with a decision win over former MMA star Frank Mir in a boxing bout. 

“When we were at the tournament in Louisiana, I was training mostly myself for that [Mir] fight,” explains Senior. “I sparred Junior for that fight, because Frank is a southpaw and Junior is a southpaw. He helped get me ready for that fight, a few rounds, but I didn’t even spar a lot. Keep it real, I didn’t expect too much from Frank, but I got in shape. Junior gave me that southpaw look more than a few times during that national tournament.” 

Although Cunningham may have inherited some of his athleticism and ability to improve and grow as a fighter from his father, he did not completely inherit his dad’s height or overall size, being a middleweight. While the size discrepancy may alter some aspects of the sparring sessions between the two, Senior refuses to hold back on his ability out of necessity while sharing the ring with his first born. 

“With him being 160-pounds, of course I hold back on the power, but skillswise heck no, I have to match him on the skill,” says Cunningham Sr. proudly. “Because he’s throwing and he can go 100 and sometimes he’s caught me and it hurts. He hits hard. Skill-wise, I am at 100 [percent] with him, but powerwise of course I’m holding back a little. Because I could just overpower him and that’s not helping either one of us.” 

The more Cunningham Sr. has worked with his son in the ring, the more even the sessions have become. “There was one time we were sparring and I couldn’t get him,” recalls the senior Cunningham. “So I had to adjust my life after that. It’s been great. Of course I’ve seen his level stepping up, especially in the sparring. The things he does and the punches he chooses, so I’ve seen growth. Sparring me is the best thing for him on certain levels.” 

Despite his affinity for how national tournaments operate as events, Cunningham Jr.’s last national amateur experience was one of a handful that left a bad taste in his mouth for the system on a whole. In the immediate aftermath of the 2021 USA Boxing National Championships, the Cunninghams decided it was time for Junior to make the leap to the paid ranks. 

“A big part of the decision [to turn pro] was the last tournament that we were in,” recalls Cunningham Jr. of the December 2021 event in Louisiana. “I was boxing and did good in the first round. Then in the second round, I fought this tough dude [Ruben Salazar], but I was fighting two fights at the same time. I was fighting the ref and the fighter. I was boxing him and boxing him and the ref told me to stop running. I was moving, and I’m moving my head, and the ref started giving me eight counts. In the last round, he managed to squeeze in three eight counts to stop the fight. And the last eight count was on the bell. So it was really tough. So after that, we couldn’t take the amateurs anymore. We decided it was time to go pro.”

Cunningham Sr. shares his son’s frustration with how his last national tournament played out. “He’s beautifully boxing, and the referee tells him to stop running? And they find a way to give him three eight counts,” says Senior with frustration in his voice. “The last eight count was just him slipping. He slipped every punch that guy threw, only to get an eight count. I saw the look on his face, and I’m like, ‘I am sick of this happening to my kid.’” 

Amateur referees are in the rearview now for Team Cunningham as they have their sights set on success in the professional ranks. At age 19 and with his dad in his corner, Cunningham Jr. seems to feel he is right where he was always meant to be in his career at this point in his life. “It’s crazy because the way my career has gone up until now is exactly how I imagined it as a kid,” proclaims the junior Cunningham. “Almost exactly like how I imagined it growing up and looking up to my father.”

“USS” Cunningham is in agreement with his son that now is the time for the next phase of Junior’s career. “I didn’t want his spirit for boxing to get damaged from the way amateur boxing was treating him, so I said we are going pro,” explains Cunningham Sr. “It’s done. Even at 19, I feel he is ready. He wants this bad, he works hard and he is only going to get stronger and stronger. So this is it right here. Now it is time to build him into a world champion.” 

On April 29th in Las Vegas, Cunningham will make his debut on a card featuring sons of famous fighters like Tommy Morrison, Hasim Rahman, Roberto Duran and many others. One would think being featured in such a way for your pro debut would be intimidating, but Steve Cunningham Jr. sees the event in a different light. 

“I’ve always been a junior, so there has always been attention drawn to my name because of my father,” explains the young Cunningham. “Actually there is not as much pressure as there would be usually [by fighting on a show with other famous sons]. I love it. It is a great opportunity for me. I feel good. It’s everything I’ve been waiting for all my life. All of the things I’ve been doing have been leading up to this. I’m ready. Ready to put on a show.” 

Tickets for the event, promoted by Roy Jones Jr. Boxing and Ares Entertainment, which will be streamed live on Fite and headlined by a heavyweight clash between Kenzie Morrison and Hasim Rahman Jr., are available online at AXS.com. 

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortegajr.mario@gmail.com and followed on Twitter @MarioG280  

Jake Paul destroyed Ben Askren in the opening round of their cruiserweight bout at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Paul landed a crushing right to the jaw of Asken that sent him plummeting to the canvas, Askren got to his feet, but was ruled unable to continue at 1:59.

Paul is 3-0 with three knockouts. Asken is 0-1.

Prograis wins Technical Decision over Redkach

Regis Prograis won a technical unanimous decision over Ivan Redkach in a junior welterweight bout.

Prograis dominated the action and in round six, it looked like Prograis landed a perfect body punch the sent Redkach to the canvas. Redkach rolled around the ring in “pain” claiming to be hit low. Replays showed it was a good body punch and they went to the scorecards as Redkach could not continue

What should have been a knockout was scored 60-54, 60-54 and 59-55 for Prograis who is now 26-1. Redkach is 23-6-1.

Cunningham Decisions Mir

Steve Cunningham won a six-round unanimous decision over former UFC champion Frank Mir.

Cunningham of Philadelphia won by scores of 60-54 twice and 58-56 is now 30-9. Mir is 0-1.

Joe Fournier Stops Reykon after 2

Joe Fournier stopped Reggaetón singer Reykon after round two of their fight,

In round two, Fournier decked Reykon with a left hook to the head. Later in the round, Reykon took a knee. Reykin had enough after the round and the fight was stopped.

Fournier is 9-0 with nine knockouts. Reykon is 0-1.

LOS ANGELES, March 24, 2021 — Triller Fight Club today announced that former IBF Titleholder Steve Cunningham will replace Antonio Tarver on its April 17 event at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Triller Fight Club is a partnership between leading music and social media platform Triller andSnoop Dogg, and is spearheaded by visionary producer Ryan Kavanaugh.

Stevenson joins a card with Jake Paul taking on former Bellator and OneFC Championship champion Ben Askren in the main event, while super lightweight Regis Prograis (New Orleans), a former world champion and arguably one of the top two super lightweights in the world, takes on Ivan Redkach (Shostka, Ukraine); and Joe Fournier (London) challenges music icon and worldwide star Reykon (Envigado, Colombia).

The rest of the card will be announced shortly.

Cunningham (29-9-1), from Philadelphia, is one of the most durable and difficult veteran boxers today. He began his professional career in 2000 with a 19 fight winning streak before taking the IBF Cruiserweight title from Krzysztof Wlodarczyk in 2007. He regained the crown with a fifth round stoppage on cuts of Troy Ross in 2010, and may be best known for a hard fought heavyweight loss to Tyson Fury in 2013, a fight which Fury called the toughest of his career. 

The lineup for the four-hour Pay Per View show will include performances by Justin Bieber, The Black Keys, Doja Cat, Saweetie, Diplo, Major Lazer, and the exclusive world premiere of the hip hop supergroup Mt. Westmore (Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, Too $hort and E-40) performing for their first time ever together. Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Bert Marcus will lead and direct the creative storytelling for the Triller Fight Club event.

The lead up to April 17 officially also includes an original series exclusively on Triller and FITE. “PRBLM CHILD” is a raw, all-access look into the life of one of the world’s most polarizing and controversial personalities, YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul, as he trains for his fight vs. Askren. The series also will include boxing legends Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Ryan Garcia, Jorge Masvidal andSnoop Dogg, among many more.

In addition to being a co-owner, Snoop also provides strategic counsel to Triller Fight Club, helping to select fighters and musical acts for the show-stopping events. An entertainment expert who has successfully maneuvered through a range of projects in a variety of different fields, Snoop secured his spot as a fan favorite during Triller’s first sporting event, Tyson vs. Jones.

iNDemand, the leading transactional video-on-demand and PPV programming provider in North America, will serve as the exclusive U.S. and Canadian cable, satellite, and telco PPV provider for the event. Fans will be able to order the event on PPV through their existing cable, satellite and telco PPV providers, including Xfinity, Spectrum, Contour, Fios, and Optimum in the U.S., as well as leading providers in Canada.

FITE, the premier PPV digital platform, will handle worldwide live pay-per-view streaming distribution online, and via FITE mobile and Smart TV apps, game controllers and all major OTT devices as well as power TrillerFightClub.com.

The suggested PPV retail price for the event is $49.99 (U.S. & Canada). Fans outside North America can check the FITE link at https://www.fite.tv/watch/jake-paul-vs-ben-askren/2p8y0/ for international pricing. All fight information can be found at TrillerFightClub.com, which features fight news, announcements, promotional videos, and the digital portal to buy the event.

**HOW TO WATCH THE APRIL 17, 2021, TRILLER FIGHT CLUB PPV EVENT**

TV: Cable, satellite & telco PPV providers, including Xfinity, Spectrum, Contour, Fios, and Optimum in the U.S., as well as leading providers in Canada.

Worldwide Streaming: FITE.TV and all FITE mobile, Smart TV, game controller and OTT apps as well as the event microsite hub: TrillerFightClub.com

About Triller Fight Club:

Triller Fight Club is built around the idea of four quadrant entertainment; bringing fans of music, entertainment and action sports together for an unprecedented experience. Launched in 2020 with the Tyson vs. Jones PPV fight TFC shattered all digital fight PPV records and became the 8th most successful Fight PPV in history. Since then, it is has continued to evolve into the vision of founders Ryan Cavanaugh and Snoop Dog to continue to redefine the sport of boxing as a media property, by pairing some of the world’s hottest and most dynamic music and entertainment talent with a growing roster of elite, telegenic and eclectic athletes, both legends of their discipline and rising stars from around the world.

LAS VEGAS – In the end, only the spectacle was memorable. The fight was forgettable. Yet in the end, it was indeed a fight instead of the mere farce predicted by so many.

Floyd Mayweather, Jr. won it and with the stoppage he promised Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in a pay-per-view event expected to set records.

But there was also a victory wrapped in the defeat for Conor McGregor, who was still upright at the time of the 10round TKO and proud as ever after the MMA star’s first professional boxing match against this generation’s best at the more traditional sweet science.

McGregor surprised the boxing pursuits.

Seemed to surprise, Mayweather, too.

He threw jabs nobody had ever seen or even suspected he had. He had Mayweather in retreat fighting off his back foot. In the opening rounds, Mayweather looked exactly like the 40-year-old man who had not answered an opening bell in a couple of years. After six rounds, it looked like an even fight.

But McGregor’s unfamiliarity with boxing became increasingly evident. By the fourth round, there was awkward pawing with his jab. His hands began to drop. All the while, Mayweather’s muscle memory began to exert itself and take control of the junior-middleweight bout.

His found his timing. He rediscovered his sense of range. Then, his right hand began to land, land and land. Suddenly, there was swelling around McGregor’s eyes. In those Irish eyes, there were mounting signs of fatigue.

The end was near, a historical one for what Mayweather vowed was his last fight. In Nevada Athletic Commission-sanctioned bout, Mayweather went 50-0, supassing Rocky Marciano’s milestone.

“Boxing’s reputation was on the line,’’ Mayweather said.

Mayweather’s legacy was, too. He protected that and managed to add a reported $200,000 to his bank account.

“”Our game plan was to take our time, go to him, let him shoot his shots early and then take him out down the stretch,’’ said Mayweather, who ended with it fusillade of right hands that left McGregor holding on and finished at 1:05 of the 10^th. “We know in MMA he fights for 25 minutes. After 25 minutes, he started to slow down. I guaranteed to everybody that this wouldn’t go the distance.’’

McGregor wished that it had. Referee Robert Byrd, he said, should have let it go on, all the way through the 12^th and final round and on to the scorecards.

“Where was the final two rounds?’’ said McGregor, who collected a $100 million guarantee. “Let me walk back to my corner and compose myself.”

He’ll have plenty of time to do that. His $100-million guarantee is worth a lot of composure.

Gervonta Davis gets only boos in victory

Gervonta Davis lost his title on the scale. He lost respect in the ring.

Things changed quickly for Badou Jack. He made sure of it.

Tabiti wins unanimous decision over Cunningham

Andrew Tabiti’s fast hands initiated a head-to-body attack that the Las Vegas cruiserweight sustained throughout 10 rounds for a unanimous decision over Steve Cunningham of Philadelphia for a minor title Saturday night at Las Vegas T-Mobile Arena.

Yordenis Ugas, a 2008 Olympic bronze medalist from Cuba, scored two knockdowns and got up from one for unanimous decision over Puerto Rican Thomas Dulorme (24-3, 16 KOs) in a terrific, 10-round welterweight fight Saturday in the final bout before the pay-per-view portion of the Mayweather-McGregor card at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.

Everybody might be talking about Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Conor McGregor, but nobody was there when the hyped event began.

The show opened to an empty room Saturday at T-Mobile Arena.

There were only a couple of fighters and lots of echoes about three hours before Showtime’s pay-per-view card was scheduled to begin.

London super-middleweight Savannah Marshall (1-0) and Sydney LeBlanc of Lafayette, LA, created the first echoes. Most of them came from Marshall’s punches. She landed one after another, scoring a unanimous decision over LeBlanc (4-4-1).

In the card’s second fight, Fresno super-middleweight Antonio Hernandez (10-1, 2 KOs) was stronger and busier, scoring often enough for unanimous decision over Kevin Newman (7-1-1, 3 KOs) of Las Vegas.

Follow all the action as undefeated legend Floyd Mayweather takes on UFC sensation Conor McGregor in a highly anticipated boxing match.  The show begins at 7 PM ET with a 5 fight undercard that will feature Gervonta Davis taking on Francisco Fonseca in a lightweight bout (Fonseca can win the IBF Jr. Lightweight title which Davis vacated at the scales.  Nathan Cleverly defends the WBA Light Heavyweight title against former super middleweight champion Badou Jack.  Undefeated Andrew Tabiti takes on former two-time world champion Steve Cunningham in a cruiserweight battle.

NO BROWSER REFRESH NEEDED.  THE PAGE WILL UPDATE AUTOMATICALLY

Round 1: McGregor lands a left…Uppercut

Round 2: Right from Mayweather..Right from Mayweather…Right from McGregor..Left to body..Right from Mayweather..

Round 3 Jab from McGregor..Jab..Right to body from Mayweather..

Round 4 McGregor lands a a left…2 rights from Mayweather..combination..Jab from McGregor..Right from Mayweather..Left from McGregor..Lead right from Mayweather..Left uppercut from McGregor..

Round 5 Right to body from McGregor..Left from Mayweather..right

Round 6 Jab from McGregor..Right to body fro Mayweather…lead right..right from Mayweather…Left to body from McGregor…good body work..left..Good counter right from Mayweather..

Round 7  Right from Mayweather..uppercut from McGregor..Combination and right from Mayweather,,2 rights..

Round 8 Good left from McGregor..2 rights from Mayweather..Combination from McGregor..Jab from Mayweather..

Round 9 Body shot from McGregor…hard combination…Right from Mayweather…hard right,,McGregor hurt..Hard right rocks McGregor.

Round 10 2 HUGE RIGHTS….MCgREGOR HURT…1 MORE SHOT…ROBERT BYRD STOPS THE FIGHT

Round 1: Left to body from Davis..Left uppercut..Right to body from Fonseca..Counter left Davis..Right to body from Fonseca

Round 2 Nice combination from F9nseca…Body shot from Davis…Left hook from Fonseca..Hard uppercut from Davis..

Round 3: Huge combination featuring uppercuts from Davis..Left from Davis…Good counter from Fonseca…

Round 4 Huge uppercut from Davis…Right and left from Fonseca..Good left..Body shot

Round 5  Fonseca lands a left to the body…Hard body shots from Davis..right to body…Counter from Fonseca…

Round 6 Lead left from Davis…Nice left

Round 7  Good right from Fonseca..Good right and left uppercut from Davis…Right to body from Fonseca..Left from Davis

Round 8 LEFT TO HEAD…FONSECA DOWN AND COUNT REACHES 10…FONSECA CLAIMING BEHIND THE HEAD

Round 1: Right from Jack..Body..2 rights..Right from Cleverly..Good right from Jack..Jab from Cleverly..left from body..uppercut from Cleverly…Nice right

Round 2 Body shot from Jack..2 rights from Cleverly..1-2 from Jack..Nice body shot..overhand right

Round 3 Body shots from Jack..Right hand..Good uppercut..Short body shot..Jab from Cleverly

Round 4 Hard shots from Jack..Nice left hook and right..Big left hook..Big 3 punch combo.Clecer;y bleeding from the nose

Round 5 Hard left from Jack..Jack landing big shots on ropes…Left from Cleverly..Jack pounding Cleverly on the ropes..BIG UPPERCUT FIGHT STOPPED–TKO FOR BADOU JACK

Round 1 3 jabs from Tabiti..counter jab from Cunningham..Right from Tabiti..Jab..Jab from Cunningham..Lead right from Tabiti..Counter from Cunningham..

Round 2 Double jab..right hand from Tabiti..Nice counter right from Cunningham…Combination from Tabiti…Left hook for Cunningham..

Round 3 Combination from Tabiti..Right to body..Counter from Tabiti..Jab from Cunningham..

Round 4 Tabiti lands a right to the body..Jab from Cunningham..Jab..Right

Round 5  Right from Tabiti..2 jabs from Tabiti..Left from Cunningham..uppercut..Double jab

Round 6 Counter right from Tabiti..Right from Cunningham..short right from Tabiti

Round 7  Right to body from Tabiti..Jab..Nice exchange

Round 8  Right from Tabiti…right uppercut

Round 9 Combination from Tabiti..Counter right from Cunningham..

Round 10 Double jab from Cunningham…

Tabiti landed 112-315       Cunningham 89-329

97-93 twice and 100-90 for Tabiti

Round 1 Right from Ugas…

Round 2:  Right from Dulorme….Uppercut..GOOD UPPERCUT AND DOWN GOES DULORME..Good body shot…HARD RIGHT AND DOWN GOES DULORME

Round 3:  Big flurry from Ugas.. Right from Ugas…Hard hook to the jaw..

Round 4:  Dulorme lands a straight right…

Round 5 Right from Ugas..Hard right..Trading uppercuts…Hook from Ugas..uppercut and right…

Round 6 Right from Ugas…Body shot from Dulorme…

Round 7:  DULORME DEDUCTED A POINT FOR A LOW BLOW…Uppercut from Ugas..BIG LEFT AND DOWN GOES UGAS

Round 8:  Hard uppercut from Dulorme…Left hook from Ugas..Left from Ugas..2 hooks from Dulorme..

Round 9:  Hard hooks from Dulorme

Round 10:  DULORME DOCKED A POINT FOR A LOW…Hook from Ugas..

94-91 and 93-92 TWICE FOR YORDENIS UGAS

Round 1 Double jab and hook from Heraldez..Combination..

Round 2 Combination from Borrego..Body shot from Herladez

Round 3 Triple jab from Heraldez…Combination..Borrego bleeding…Hook from Heraldez

Round 4:  Borrego counters on ropes..

Round 5 Combination from Heraldez..

Round 6 Straight left from Borrego..Combination from Heraldez..

Round 7 Combination from Borrego..Right from Heraldez..Good left..

Round 8 3 jabs from Heraldez..Right…Left from Borrego…Borrego bleeding from his nose..Good combination from Heraldez…Body shot

Round 9  LEFT AND DOWN GOES HERALDEZ …Good body shot…Good left hook..

Round 10 Left from Borrego..Jab from Heraldez…Body shot..

96-93, 97-92 TWICE FOR JUAN HERALDEZ

Philadelphia, PA (August 25, 2015) – On the eve of his highly anticipated bout with undefeated Andrew Tabiti on Saturday’s Floyd Mayweather – Conor McGregor Pay-Per-View card in Las Vegas, two-time cruiserweight world champion, Steve “USS” Cunningham has announced that he will be releasing a series of comic books this Fall.

Cunningham of Philadelphia will combine his love of comics and his decorated boxing career into an entertaining comic book series that will also feature many of the opponents and personalities of his illustrious 17 year career.

The first strip will feature a fictional depiction of his epic battle with Amir “Hardcore” Mansour that took place in 2014. Below is a brief video with some of the illustrations that will be featured in the inaugural book.

“Drawing has always been a passion of mine, and people who are artists are inspired from their life experiences. I have been fortunate to be able to participate in the highest form of theater in professional sports, and that is boxing at the highest level. I have so many thoughts and ideas from those experiences and I hope to entertain not only boxing fans, but comic lovers from all over the world,” said Cunningham.

PHILADELPHIA – Philly Boxing History announced today that former two-time cruiserweight champion Steve “USS” Cunningham will be the celebrity guest host of the 10th Annual Briscoe Awards at Xfinity Live! Philadelphia, on October 15, 2017.

“It’s an honor,” Cunningham said of being named the guest host. “I’m happy and proud. I’m going to do my best.”

Cunningham was the very first recipient of the “Philly Fighter of the Year” Briscoe Award in 2007, and won the same award three years later. Overall, Cunningham has won a total five Briscoe Awards through the years, also winning for “2014 Philly Fight of the Year” (vs. Amir Mansour), and the “Performance of the Year” in both 2012 and 2014.

“The Bennie Briscoe Award was the first Philly organization to step up and really show appreciation for the things that I was doing,” Cunningham said. “I’ve been a world champ, but didn’t get the shine that some world champs would have. But the Bennie Briscoe Awards have always been there, not just for me but for every Philly fighter. I think every city should do this for their fighters, but they don’t. That’s what makes the Briscoe Awards so special.”

“Steve is the most decorated fighter in the Briscoe Awards’ ten year history AND he was our very first “Fighter of the Year” winner,” said John DiSanto of Philly Boxing History Inc. “He’s the perfect person to guest host our 10th annual celebration. Steve has always represented the Briscoe Awards well, and it will be great to have him back on the stage in a whole new role.”

First up however, Cunningham fights undefeated Andrew Tabiti for the NABF cruiserweight title on the Mayweather-McGregor mega-card, this Saturday night in Las Vegas. The ten round bout opens the Pay-Per-View TV broadcast.

ABOUT THE BRISCOE AWARDS ON OCTOBER 15 FROM 1-4 PM

The Briscoe Awards are named in honor of legendary Philly middleweight Bennie Briscoe and the trophies given away – the Briscoe Statue and the Briscoe Medal – all bear the deceased icon’s likeness. The event brings together the local boxing community, including the award winners, their families, past and present boxers, fight fans, other boxing people, and general sports fans.

This is the tenth year for the Briscoe Awards, which are presented by Philly Boxing History Inc., a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization, dedicated to preserving and celebrating Philadelphia’s great boxing legacy. Past winners at the Briscoe Awards include Bernard Hopkins, Danny Garcia, Steve Cunningham, and many others.

The event returns to Xfinity Live! Philadelphia, the central hub of Philly’s sports stadiums, located at 1100 Pattison Avenue in South Philadelphia. Admission is $5, and tickets can be purchased at BriscoeAwards.com or by calling 609-377-6413. Everyone is welcome.

For more information, including sponsorship and advertising opportunities, please call John DiSanto, 609-377-6413 / johndisanto@phillyboxinghistory.com

The 10th Annual Briscoe Awards will be held on Sunday, October 15, 2017, 1-4 PM, at Xfinity Live!, 1100 Pattison Avenue in South Philadelphia.

LAS VEGAS (August 10, 2017) – Two world championship fights including a title defense by America’s youngest world champion are part of the trio of high stakes matchups on the Mayweather vs. McGregor SHOWTIME PPV undercard on Saturday, Aug. 26 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and presented by Mayweather Promotions.

The four-fight SHOWTIME PPV event, beginning live at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, is headlined by the unprecedented super welterweight matchup between boxing’s undefeated all-time great Floyd Mayweather and UFC superstar Conor McGregor. In the co-featured bout, undefeated rising star Gervonta “Tank” Davis will make the second defense of his IBF Junior Lightweight World Championship against undefeated challenger Francisco Fonseca as the 22-year-old looks to continue his reign as the youngest current champion from the U.S.

WBA Light Heavyweight Titlist Nathan Cleverly will defend his title against former 168-pound world champion Badou Jack “The Ripper”, who is stepping up in weight and into this world title tilt.

The pay-per-view telecast will open with undefeated rising cruiserweight contender Andrew “The Beast” Tabiti taking ontwo-time world champion Steve “U.S.S.” Cunningham in a 10-round bout for the USBA cruiserweight title.

“What a night this will be for fight fans,” said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. “Not only will they witness a first of its kind main event, but they will also see two incredible world title fights, as Mayweather Promotions’ very own current and former world champions go head-to-head in separate bouts. Gervonta Davis is nothing short of pure boxing talent with dynamite power. Former super middleweight world champion Badou Jack is making his light heavyweight debut, and looking to take the title away from a tough and experienced Nathan Cleverly. But first, Andrew “The Beast” Tabiti will open the pay-per-view telecast with what I expect to be a magnificent performance. This diverse card is an epic, international affair stacked with talent. Make sure you don’t miss the biggest event the sport has ever seen.”

“This undercard includes three meaningful matches featuring fighters we’ve seen develop over the years on SHOWTIME,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports. “Gervonta Davis has fast-tracked himself to stardom on this network, we’ve seen Badou Jack develop from prospect to champion, and we’re now witnessing similar growth with Andrew Tabiti. We’re excited to watch them compete in tough, competitive matchups on this global stage.”
Gervonta Davis vs. Francisco Fonseca – IBF Junior Lightweight World Championship

One of the fastest-rising young stars in the sport, Davis (18-0, 17 KOs) became the youngest reigning champion from the U.S. when he knocked out Jose Pedraza in January to capture the IBF 130-pound crown. The 22-year-old made his first title defense in style when he went to London and stopped Liam Walsh in May. Both bouts aired live on SHOWTIME. Representing Baltimore, Davis won the 2012 National Golden Gloves championship and scored knockouts in his first eight fights after turning pro in 2013. He enters this matchup on a streak of nine-straight fights that have ended with a knockout victory.

“I’m really excited to fight as the co-main event on the biggest card in combat sports history,” said Davis. “I plan to put on a great show for everyone in attendance in Las Vegas and for those who purchase the PPV. I want to thank my team for this incredible opportunity. I’m ready for Floyd Mayweather to pass his torch to me. To my fans, I appreciate all of you. Support me and I’ll fight for you!”

Fighting out of San Ramon, Costa Rica, Fonseca (19-0-1, 13 KOs) has won 19 straight fights after turning pro with a majority draw in 2013. Fonseca quickly established himself as one of the top fighters from his country with victory after victory, including a fourth-round knockout of Luis Gonzlaez to capture a regional 130-pound belt last August. The 23-year-old will make his U.S. debut when he faces Davis and he enters this contest having won his last five bouts inside of the distance. Fonseca began his 2017 with a third round knockout of Eliecer Lanzas in March and is trained by two-time world champion Ivan Calderon.

“I am super grateful for this great opportunity,” said Fonseca. “The dream of every young boxer is to fight for the world title and this opportunity comes at the best moment of my career and in the biggest in the history of this sport. I will beat Gervonta Davis and I will shock the world that night.”

Nathan Cleverly vs. Badou Jack – WBA Light Heavyweight World Championship

A two-time world champion at light heavyweight, Cleverly (30-3, 16 KOs) bounced back from a defeat to Andrzej Fonfara in a 2015 Fight of the Year contender to defeat hometown champ Juergen Braehmer last October to pick up his WBA title. Cleverly’s previous title reign saw him take down the likes of Tony Bellew, Nadjib Mohammedi, Shawn Hawk and Tommy Karpency before dropping a contest to Sergey Kovalev. The Wales resident will make his fourth start in the U.S., having won two of his first three contests stateside.

“This is a fight I have wanted ever since Badou Jack moved to light heavyweight and I’m delighted to fight in Vegas on an event like this,” said Cleverly. “I’ve trained long and hard for this fight and I’m ready to be let off the leash. This is the biggest fight of my career so far and I’m going to do a number on Badou Jack on August 26.”

Now fighting in the 175-pound division, Jack’s final fight at 168 pounds came in a title unification on SHOWTIME in January against James DeGale. Jack (21-1-2, 12 KOs) shook off an early knockdown to floor DeGale in the final round in a close majority draw in which both fighters retained their belts. The 2008 Olympian from Gambia won his world title in 2015 by defeating then unbeaten Anthony Dirrell and defended the belt against current champion George Groves and former champion Lucian Bute. The 33-year-old is unbeaten in his last six bouts as he seeks a world title in a second weight class.

“I’m thankful for this opportunity and I’m excited about getting another shot at a world title,” said Jack. “To be a part of this event and fighting on this card is historic. Nothing beats it. I’m excited to get back in the ring. I’m getting ready to take that belt, and win a title in my second weight class. The biggest difference between past training camps and preparing for this fight is the fact that I was training to get the weight down, now I’m training to build muscle and perfect my boxing strategy. This will be a tough fight, but I don’t see any issues getting through it. I feel confident and fans can expect a win by knockout or decision. He’s not leaving with that belt. It’s staying right here in Las Vegas.”

Andrew Tabiti vs. Steve Cunningham – 10 Round Cruiserweight Bout

Originally from Chicago but fighting out of Las Vegas, Tabiti (14-0, 12 KOs) recorded victories against previously unbeaten fighters Keith Tapia and Quantis Graves in his last two outings – both on ShoBox: The New Generation – as he works to solidify himself as a contender in the red hot cruiserweight division. The 27-year-old turned pro in 2013 after amassing a solid 32-6 amateur record and scored knockout victories in his first 10 fights. He’ll battle his most experienced opponent to date when he faces the multiple-time champion Cunningham.

“I’ve always been dedicated when it comes to training and this camp has been no different,” said Tabiti. “I know I am fighting a veteran who has a lot of experience, so I can’t slack on my conditioning and training. He’s tough and he’s only been stopped once and that was when he moved up in weight to heavyweight, so it would be a big statement for me to stop him. This fight is a test for me. Anytime you get in the ring you never really know how things will pan out, but I have a great team. To the fans, expect a victory and a great fight on August 26th because I am going to make sure I come out on top.”

Representing the great fight city of Philadelphia, Cunningham (29-8-1, 13 KOs) returned to action in March with a victory over Felipe Romero after an exciting challenge of cruiserweight champion Krzysztof Glowacki in April 2016. Twice a world champion as a cruiserweight, he defeated Krzysztof Wlodarczyk in 2006 to capture his belt before successfully defending his title against Marco Huck via a twelfth-round TKO. He became a world champion again in 2010 when he stopped Troy Ross in the fifth round. The experienced veteran also owns victories over previously unbeaten fighters Amir Mansour and Natu Visinia and scored a knockdown of Tyson Fury in a losing effort during their 2013 bout.

“This is one of the biggest cards of the decade and its mind blowing to be a part of it,” said Cunningham. “I have to top it off with a victory. Taking on a good, undefeated young prospect is a challenge in itself, but a victory will prove age is just a number. Hard work is a part of my everyday life.”

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MAYWEATHER vs. McGREGOR
Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor is a 12-round super welterweight matchup that pits the legendary boxer Mayweather against the all-time MMA great McGregor in the main event of an unprecedented four-fight pay-per-view boxing event. Mayweather vs. McGregor takes place on Saturday, August 26 at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The event is produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV and promoted by Mayweather Promotions.

For more information visit www.sho.com/sports and www.t-mobilearena.com, follow on Twitter @FloydMayweather, @TheNotoriousMMA, @MayweatherPromo, @UFC, @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions, www.Facebook.com/SHOSports andwww.Facebook.com/UFC

READING, PA (February 15, 2017) – A showdown between exciting heavyweight contenders Travis “My Time” Kauffman (31-1, 23 KOs) and Amir “Hardcore” Mansour (22-2-1, 16 KOs) headlines action on Premier Boxing Champions: The Next Round on Bounce Friday, March 17 from Santander Arena in Reading, PA.

Televised coverage on Bounce begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and will feature former title challenger Edner Cherry (35-7-2, 19 KOs) taking on once-beaten Omar Douglas (17-1, 12 KOs) in a 10-round lightweight bout plus former two-time world champion Steve “U.S.S.” Cunningham (28-8-1, 13 KOs) will enter the ring in a 10-round cruiserweight attraction. The most recent Premier Boxing Champions – The Next Round on Bounce (Fri. Feb. 10) reached 1.5 million viewers and delivered series records for viewership.

Reading’s Kauffman and Philadelphia’s Mansour will meet in a 12-round battle of Pennsylvania-rivals who are looking to go through the other on their way to a world title shot.

“I am very excited for this fight on March 17,” said Kauffman. “I am training very hard, and I’m ready to take care of business. This win will get me to the next level. Amir is a tough fighter who has never been in a bad fight. He is a desperate fighter who knows this is his last chance to retain his spot as a heavyweight contender, so I expect to see the best Amir Mansour. I will be very sharp. I expect a better performance than I had against Chris Arreola.”

“This is a fight that the heavyweight division needs,” said Mansour. “This is two top quality facing off against each other. I am the toughest fighter that he has ever faced, but he is not the toughest fighter that I have faced. I will say that he is one of the best boxers in the heavyweight division. He has tremendous boxing skills, and I am looking forward to mixing it up with someone who can box and fight.”

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions, start at $20 and are on sale now. Tickets are available at the VF Outlet Box Office at the Santander Arena, by phone at 800-745-3000, or online at Ticketmaster.com.

A local attraction fighting out of Reading, Kauffman is the son of longtime trainer and promoter Marshall Kauffman. Kauffman won his first 18 pro fights and put together a 12-fight winning streak before dropping Chris Arreola in a split decision loss that was later ruled a no decision. Kauffman most recently stopped Josh Gormley in two rounds at the Santander Arena in September of last year and he will return to the arena looking to increase his status in the heavyweight division.

An exciting pressure fighter, the 6-foot-1 slugger Mansour is experienced and primed for an opportunity at the best in the division. He went 20-0 before losing a 10-round decision to Cunningham in a fight in April 2014 in which he dropped the former cruiserweight world champion twice. In his next start, Mansour knocked out Kassi in the seventh round. In 2015, he outpointed Joey Dawejko across 10 rounds in May and fought to a draw against unbeaten Gerald Washington in October. His last outing saw him knock down then unbeaten Dominic Breazeale before being forced to withdraw due to an injury.

Cherry, of Wauchula, Fla., enters this fight after a victory of Haskell Rhodes in June of last year and is 11-1 since 2009. His only blemishes since 2007 are losses to Timothy Bradley and Paulie Malignaggi at 140-pounds and his title challenge in 2015 against Jose Pedraza in which he dropped a split decision. Cherry, who was born in the Bahamas, owns victories over Vicente Escobedo, Monte Meza Clay and Wes Ferguson and will look to take down another contender on his way to another title shot.

Fighting out of Wilmington, Delaware, Douglas looks to bounce back after losing a narrow decision to former world champion Javier Fortuna in November. The 26-year-old impressed in his previous two outings when he defeated contender Frank De Alba in a step up fight in 2015 and followed it up with a seventh round knockout of Alexei Collado in June 2016. Douglas has had his last five fights in Pennsylvania after an amateur career that saw him become a five-time Pennsylvania Golden Glove champion.

Representing the great fight city of Philadelphia, Cunningham returns to action after an exciting challenge of cruiserweight champion Krzysztof Glowacki in April. Twice a world champion as a cruiserweight, he defeated Krzysztof Wlodarczyk in 2006 to capture his belt before defending his title against Marco Huck via a twelfth-round TKO. He became a world champion again in 2010 when he stopped Troy Ross in the fifth round. The experienced veteran also owns victories over previously unbeaten fighters Amir Mansour and Natu Visinia and scored a knockdown of Tyson Fury in a losing effort during their 2013 bout.

# # #

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @, @BounceTV, and @Swanson_Comm and follow the conversation using #PBConBounce, become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions and www.Facebook.com/BounceTV. PBC on Bounce is sponsored by Corona: La Cerveza Mas Fina.

Bounce is the fastest-growing African-American (AA) network on television and airs on the broadcast signals of local television stations and corresponding cable carriage. The network features a programming mix of original and off-network series, theatrical motion pictures, specials, live sports and more. Bounce has grown to be available in more than 94 million homes across the United States and 93% of all African American television homes, including all of the top AA television markets. Among the founders of Bounce are iconic American figures Martin Luther King, III and Ambassador Andrew Young.

For local channel location, visit BounceTV.com.

Errol Spence Jr. scored the highest profile win of his career as he stopped former world champion Chris Algieri in round five of their scheduled ten round Welterweight bout at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Soence dropped Algieri in round four from a straight left hand. Spence came out and sent Algieri with another left hand. Spence finished Aligiero off with a barrage of punches on the ropes that was capped off by a left to the jaw that sent Algieri down for a third and final time and referee Benjy Esteves stopped the bout at 48 seconds of round five.

Spence of DeSoto, TX is 20-0 with 17 knockouts. Algieri is 21-3.

Krysztof Glowacki retained the WBO Cruiserweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over former two-time champion Steve Cunningham

In round two, Glowacki dropped Cunningham with a counter right. Cunningham went down seconds later from a right to the head. In round six, Cunningham was cut over his right eye from an accidental headbutt.

In round two, Glowacki landed a short right that sent Cunningham to the ground. Glowacki iced the bout with a straight left hand to the body that sent Cunningham to the canvas for a fourth time. Cunningham had some good moments in the fight as he rocked the champion with several hard right hands but it was not enough as Glowacki won by scores of 116-108 and 115-109 twice.

Glowacki is 26-0. Cunningham is 28-8-1.

In a battle of previously undefeated Light Heavyweights, Marcus Browne had to squeak by with a 8-round split decision over Radivoje Kalajdzic.

Browne dropped Kalajdzic in round one from a straight left.

In round six, Kalajdzic dropped Browne with a short right hand.

scores were 76-74 Browne, 76-74 for Kalajdzic and 76-75 for Browne.

Browne is now 18-0. Kalajdzic is 21-1.

IBF #15 super-featherweight ranked contender, Mario Barrios, remained undefeated with a dominating unanimous decision victory over Edgar Gabejan (26-33-6, 9 KOs) a veteran of over 500 ronds, improving his record to (15-0, 8 KOs).

Barrios, who hails from San Antonio, TX, came out guns blazing, dropping Gabejan in round one. Towering over his opponent, Barrios, who stands over six feet tall, used his height and reach to perfection as he landed precise punches throughout the remainder of the fight. Gabejan made it to the final bell but was severely beaten up. Scorecards read 80-71 across the board, all in favor of Barrios.

This marks the first fight for Barrios in 2016. With the win, Barrios hope to get back in the ring as soon as possible. A world title fight by the end of the year is what Barrios has is mind set on.

“I’m happy with my performance tonight,” said Mario Barrios. “My opponent showed a lot of heart making it to the final bell. Going the full eight rounds was great experience for me. I feel I’m improving with each fight and I’m hoping by the end of the year I’ll be ready to challenge any of the champions in my division.”

BROOKYLN (April 13, 2016) – Undefeated rising welterweight star Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. and former world champion Chris Algieri went face-to-face Wednesday to kick-off fight week activities with the final press conference before they meet in the main event of Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on NBC this Saturday, April 16 from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Also in attendance at the Highline Ballroom in Manhattan were cruiserweight champion Krzysztof Glowacki and former champion Steven “U.S.S” Cunningham plus undefeated 2012 U.S. Olympian “Sir” Marcus Browne and unbeaten light heavyweight Radivoje “Hot Rod” Kalajdzic who round out a stacked tripleheader on Saturday night. In addition, popular Brooklyn undefeated fighter Heather “The Heat” Hardy was in attendance as she nears her undercard bout against Sweden’s Anna Hultin.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Star Boxing, start at $25, not including applicable fees, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, www.barclayscenter.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.

Here is what the press conference participants had to say Wednesday:

ERROL SPENCE JR.

“This is a great card with great fighters and its a fantastic opportunity. A lot of people think I’m a prospect on the verge of being a contender. Saturday night is going to be a great performance.

“I never thought fight week would come. I’m just so excited to put on a show. It’s going to be the best Errol Spence you’ve ever seen.

“I just need to stick with my game plan. The game plan that my coach laid out for me and do what I do and get the win.

“Whatever happens, happens. I’m going to have to feel it out in the first round. I just need to fight smart.

“I’ve always felt like I was ready for this level. Saturday night, I’m looking for a coming out party. My focus is 100 percent on this fight.

“I was ready two fights ago to fight for a title. After this fight we can talk about what’s next, but right now, Chris Algieri is in front of me.

“Chris has been in a lot of hard fights. At the end of the day he’s a boxer and so am I. It’s going to be a war.”

CHRIS ALGIERI

“Brooklyn has treated me very well. I’ve had some of my best performances here at Barclays Center and I look forward to another.

“It’s always an honor to share the stage with such illustrious guys in our sport. A lot of these guys really bring honor and respect to the business that we do.

“I don’t think I’ve gotten as much respect as I deserve throughout my career. I don’t know why, but it doesn’t really matter. At the end of the day I go out there and perform. More often then not I’m victorious.

“I think everyone knows that I’ll fight anybody. Spence is a guy people don’t want to fight, so they brought him to me.

“The best thing about working with John David Jackson is the confidence he gives me. He let’s me be who I am. He gives me the faith to trust in my abilities. I’m looking forward to putting on another great display with him in my corner.

“The hard work is done. Training camp was long, hard and grueling. Not much more to be said. It’s time to fight. It’s going to be a great night of fights. ”

KRZYSZTOF GLOWACKI

“I’m so happy to be back in the United States and I’d like to thank my team for preparing me so well.

“I’m very happy to be healthy. Training camp went the way I wanted to and I feel 100 percent ready to get in the ring

“I have to win. That’s the most important thing. It’s nice to be fighting on such a great card, but all that matters is keeping my belt.

“Fans can expect to see beautiful boxing. It will be a war inside of the ring. Most importantly, I will win.

“A lot of things have changed since I won my world title. Nobody used to know me and now everyone knows me. I’m happy with my career so far. I don’t like to talk about the future of my career until after the fight.

“Steve Cunningham is not only a great fighter but a great human being, so I expect a tough fight. He wants to take the belt from me but it’s not going to be easy. I want everyone to come out for a great show on Saturday.”

STEVE CUNNINGHAM

“This is my first time fighting at Barclays Center and I’m very excited about that. I’m ready to fight. Training camp is over. You know it’s grueling and hard work.

“I know I have a great opponent. He took the belt from the champion. He got up off the canvas so I can’t look at him lightly at all. But I’m here to do a job.

“I’m was sick of getting cheated and robbed of opportunities at the heavyweight division. I decided to come back down. It’s no problem. Three pounds or four pounds, no big deal. Here we are.

“We are coming to steal the show. I’d like to steal the show without me getting hit too much. A fight is a fight. You know I come to win, so we’re going to have some fun.

“There are some adjustments you have to make when you fight a southpaw. A guy throwing two gloves at you and you have to throw gloves back at him. Doesn’t matter if he fights me upside down, I have to fight smart and beat him regardless.

“There’s always something special with Naazim Richardson. He’s a great mind. One of the great trainers out there. We’ve always got something special prepared. We have to do what we have to do and that’s win.

“When you beat a guy like Marco Huck who was about to make history and you beat him like Glowacki beat him, you have to think he’s good and realize you can’t take Glowacki lightly. He’s a warrior. He’s a problem, something I’m going to have to deal with.

“I’m not 40-years-old yet. Give me a few more months! I don’t feel 39 or 40. I feel great. I just want to go in there and perform and do what I do.

“I’m not one of those predicting guys. I know things happen in the ring. But come Saturday night, I want things to go my way. If not, we’re able to evolve. Let’s go, it’s work time.”

MARCUS BROWNE

“We’ve done a lot of talking leading up into this fight. I want to talk with my hands. He said he’s ready to fight. We’ll see on Saturday night.

“I feel great. Training camp has gone great. Right now the focus is to win and look good. Whatever happens after that is going to happen.

“I’m going to do what I do best and that’s take care of business no matter what.

“I’m ready for whatever he brings to the table. We will know that after the first minute of the first round.

“It’s an incredible honor to be representing my hometown. Fighting in front my home fans is always very motivating and I can’t wait to put on another show for them.

“People have said a lot about how this will be my toughest fight. I can’t listen to anything on the outside. I’m prepared to my fullest and we’ll see what he has on Saturday night.”

RADIVOJE KALAJDZIC

“I’m ready. I don’t have too much to say. I’m just ready to fight.

“Training camp went great. We got a full eight weeks in. Roadwork, conditioning, everything. I’m just ready to fight.

“I want to introduce myself to the fans by knocking out Marcus Browne. If that doesn’t come, I want to put on a great performance. Being on the big stage doesn’t bother me, once the bell rings its just another day.

“I know Marcus is fast and has pop to him. I don’t want to give too much away.

“I’m a boxer puncher. I’ve got the power to knock a fighter out. Most of my knockouts have come in the first round.

“I feel like I came up the right way. I didn’t have that much amateur experience, but I stepped up to this big opportunity at the right time.”

HEATHER HARDY

“I’m expecting to face a good strong boxer on Saturday night. She’s coming down in weight to fight me, so don’t miss it.

“We changed a little bit during this training camp. I added another conditioning coach. A guy that has been putting me through torture three times a week.

“My opponent is strong, she has a good record, she’s from overseas. I know I have my hands full.

“It’s a real honor to fight at Barclays Center. I couldn’t ask for a better place. There’s nowhere in the world I’d rather fight than right here at home. As far as my career progressing, I’d like to be up there on stage and be on TV.

“I can’t wait to fight (unbeaten contender) Shelly Vincent. I think that will be the big breakthrough fight that let’s me establish who I am in this game and who I am for the bigger competition. That’s a perfect fight for TV. Fingers crossed.”

LOU DIBELLA, President of DiBella Entertainment

“This great card features a fighter who is believed to be the top prospect in boxing, in Errol Spence Jr. versus New York’s own, a former world champion in Chris Algieri in what promises to be an exciting primetime main event.

“Marcus Browne has fought more times at Barclays Center than any other professional fighter. He has the chance to make the jump towards a world title by taking out another young undefeated fighter. ‘Hot Rod’ is not planning on letting that happen without serious resistance.

“Glowacki’s fight with Huck was one of the best of last year and he can expect the Polish fans in Brooklyn to be behind him on Saturday night.

“Steve Cunningham is one of the most respected fighters by his peers. Not just for his quality in the ring, but his quality as a family man and as a human being. He knows he’s fighting a great champion and I know he’s got a great game plan.”

JOE DEGUARDIA, President of Star Boxing

“It’s a pleasure to be back in Brooklyn and to have Chris Algieri fighting at Barclays Center again. It’s very rewarding that he will be in the main event on national television on NBC. It’s a real testament to this fight.

“Chris has had some great performances at Barclays Center. He’s going to have another one in front of him on Saturday. Spence Jr. is a challenge that Chris is looking forward to and one he has faced before.

“Everyone wrote him off when he faces Ruslan Provodnikov. We’re looking forward to Chris Algieri pulling off a surprise just like that on Saturday night.”

BRETT YORMARK, CEO of Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment

“Barclays Center is thrilled to have Chris Algieri back for his fourth fight and we expect a great turnout from the Long Island fans who are looking forward to Saturday as well. We’re also looking forward to a new name to headline Brooklyn and we welcome Errol Spence Jr.

“We welcome Marcus Browne back for your 11th fight and we thank you for calling Barclays Center home. Heather Hardy is also back at Barclays Center for the sixth time and we are thrilled to have all of them fighting in our building.

“It’s fitting that Saturday nights card features Chris Colbert and Earl Newman who got their start at Golden Gloves.

“I think 2016 will be our biggest year yet and we look forward to welcoming everybody back in the coming months.”

Barclays Center’s BROOKLYN BOXING™ programming platform is presented by AARP. PBC on NBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.
For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com and www.nbcsports.com/boxing, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing,@ErrolSpenceJr, @ChrisAlgieri, @USSCunningham, @Marcus_Browne, @LouDiBella, @StarBoxing,@NBCSports, @BarclaysCenter and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/NBCSports, www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment and www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter. Highlights available at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions.

BoxNation will broadcast exclusively live in the UK Deontay Wilder’s WBC World Heavyweight title defence against Alexander Povetkin from Moscow, Russia, on Saturday 21st May.

The undefeated American superstar puts his title on the line for the fourth time against the Russian mandatory challenger and former WBA World Champion at the Khodynka Ice Palace.

In a real life re-enactment of the iconic Rocky IV movie that saw Rocky Balboa head to Russia and face the indestructible Ivan Drago, Wilder must enter hostile territory after Povetkin’s promoters won the purse bid to stage the fight on home soil.

The dynamite-punching and brash Wilder, 30, has lit up the heavyweight division with his explosive performances that have seen him stop all but one of his 36 opponents with a staggering 28 coming inside three rounds.

Since winning the WBC crown from Berman Stiverne in January last year, the ‘Bronze Bomber’ has made title defences against Eric Molina, Johann Dhaupas and Artur Szpilka and won all by stoppage, but now faces the most difficult challenge of his career.

Povetkin, 36, a former world class amateur winning Gold at the 2004 Athens Olympics and 2003 World Championships, won the WBA World title in 2001 by defeating Ruslan Chagaev in 2011 and made title defences against Cedric Boswell, Marco Huck, Hasim Rahman and Andrzej Wawrzyk – winning three out of four by stoppage.

A unification showdown against then division king Wladimir Klitschko, the IBF, WBO, WBA Super World Champion followed in October 2013 and despite being floored four times in the fight, Povetkin took Klitschko the full distance only to lose on the judges’ scorecards, which remains his sole career defeat. Since then he’s knocked-out his last four opponents to earn his world title shot.

Chief-support on the card sees two-time WBA World Cruiserweight Champion Dennis Lebedev in a unification battle against IBF World Champion Victor Emilio Ramirez.

Further big live world title action coming up on the Channel of Champions in April sees Eduard Troyanovsky and Cesar Rene Cuenca clash in a highly anticipated rematch on Friday 8th April from the Krylia Sovetov in Moscow, Russia.

Russian Troyanovsky beat Argentinean Cuenca last November, halting him in six rounds with many feeling that the fight was stopped too early and now they collide again with the IBF and IBO World Super-Lightweight titles on the line.

On Saturday 16th April live coverage comes from The Barclays Centre, New York, when WBO World Cruiserweight Champion Krzysztof Glowacki makes the opening defence of his title against former two-time IBF World Champion Steve Cunningham.

Glowacki won the title in a thriller in his last fight against Marco Huck last August when he stopped the German based Serbian in the eleventh round, live on BoxNation.

Huck dropped Pole Glowacki in the sixth round and was ahead on the scorecards before Glowacki found a big punch to floor Huck in the eleventh, it could have been stopped by the referee, but he was given a chance to continue and Glowacki steamed in to get the stoppage.

Also on the card fast rising star and 2012 U.S Olympian Errol Spence aims to become the first fighter to stop former world champion Chris Algieri in a 10-round welterweight showdown.

– Ends –

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Lou DiBella
Thanks for joining us on this call. We wanted to give all the press an opportunity to speak to all six fighters that will be televised on NBC on Saturday night April 16. The TV fights will begin at 8:30 pm ET/5:30 pm PT This event’s taking place at the beautiful Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Star Boxing and sponsored by Corona, start at $25, and they can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com, barclayscenter.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. And they’re also available at the American Express Box Office at the Barclays Center.

Thanks all for joining us. We’re going to get started with the co-feature of the evening, which is the WBO Cruiserweight Championship between champion Krzysztof G?owacki and Steve “U.S.S.” Cunningham. G?owacki made a big splash with his fight of the year performance against Marco Huck when he spectacularly knocking Huck out in the 11th round to capture the world title after having been knocked down himself and rising like the Undertaker does in WWE promotions. It was really one of the more remarkable turnarounds I’ve seen in a world title fight.

You can expect the 29-year-old G?owacki to receive heavy support on April 16 from the large Polish population in Brooklyn as he fights in the U.S. for the second time. He had a sensational record of 103-9 as an amateur before turning pro in 2008. Polish Peter is on the line and he’ll function as Krzysztof’s translator. I’m going to let the champion Krzysztof G?owacki say a few words first.

Krzysztof G?owacki
First of all I am so happy I’m able to fight again in the United States. I am expecting to deliver another great fight. I hope both Polish and American fans are going to be watching me and supporting me, because I want to deliver a great fight. I have more than 110 sparring rounds already behind me, with very tough fighters. I’m perfectly healthy and absolutely ready to come to the United States and defend my title.

L. DiBella
Thank you Krzysztof. Steve “U.S.S.” Cunningham, I’m not going to say a lot about him this time. Enough has been said. He’s one of the most known commodities in boxing. Two-time World Cruiserweight Champion, 39-years-old but with a lot left in the tank. Trained by brother Naazim Richardson, a veteran of the Navy. This is absolutely a very, very strong challenge to G?owacki’s title and a fight that I expect to be extremely entertaining.

Steve Cunningham
I’m very excited to have another opportunity and world title. Coming back down to cruiserweight wasn’t difficult at all. I was a cruiserweight who was fighting heavyweight and I’m just ready. I’m always ready, I’m always prepared, I’m always in gym. We are preparing for G?owacki. He’s a formidable foe. He made, like everybody’s seen, he made a big splash in his American debut and people are going to want to see him live up to that.

We want to get together, we want to make some fireworks, and my goal is to be three-time world champion and please the fans and television. So there we have it. I’m going back in, and this is not new territory for me but it’s a new opponent, so we take him very seriously and we don’t look past anything.

Q
I was just wondering what you thought of G?owacki’s performance in his last fight. What did you think about what he did against Huck in that fight?

S. Cunningham
It was impressive. You got a guy who went down early in the fight against Marco Huck as a champion that he was working on breaking a record that fight. So he had a lot of steam behind him. Marco Huck is a formidable champion. He will be remembered as a great cruiserweight champion. But G?owacki stepped up. He got up off the canvas and he just stayed the course. And he stopped the champion. That’s how you beat the champion. A lot of people want to see champions beat like that, and G?owacki gave everybody what they wanted.

So like I said, he’s nothing to look down on because we hadn’t seen him fight in America before. We always take every opponent seriously. So we’re going to come prepared.

Q
Steve, how much respect do you have for a guy like that who got off the deck against a guy he wasn’t supposed to beat? You’ve been in that position yourself and done that. So what do you think of that?

S. Cunningham
I think he’s awesome. I’ve been in that position myself so I know the motivation and drive he had behind him in order to go through and fight a guy like Marco Huck in front of so many fans from him home country here in America. So he was driven. That fan base drives him. I know he’ll be driven on the 16th, but I’m driven also.

Like I said, this isn’t new territory to me. I’ve been there. I fought in Poland twice. I fought in Germany numerous times, South Africa too. So I’m really not used to fighting at home, but when I fight at Barclays Center I will be closer to home but it’s going to still feel like Poland because those fans, his fans are going to engulf that place and then frame it with cheers for their guy.

Like I said, it’s not new to us, it’s not new territory but a new opponent, little things we tweak up in camp, and come April 16 it’s time to get in there and show it off.

Q
Steve, when you were fighting at heavyweight, did you always think that you would give cruiserweight another try and go back down?

S. Cunningham
No I didn’t. I never thought I’d be heavyweight. My initial goal was to stay cruiserweight and do my best and do my part to put the cruiserweight division on the map here in America. Because, as you guys know, when I was a cruiserweight champion, there was no attention, no wealth, no television, no anything for cruiserweight.

So my goal was to try to help this cruiserweight division on the theme, be the best cruiserweight and make good fights, but it’s like I got elbowed out of the cruiserweight division. Even with a belt I couldn’t unify it. Then I lost my belt and these guys wouldn’t fight me even then. They still knew how I lost my belt wasn’t right. So the only way I could go was up. I couldn’t make light heavyweight so heavyweight was it.

But after heavyweight, after I was there and I was able to compete and these guys became national USBA champion and I felt I got robbed a few times from stopping me from getting that number one spot, I felt I was going to stay heavyweight. But then we realized that hey these judges, they’re not understanding what you’re doing to these big guys. They like their heavyweights to knock guys out, to throw a couple punches and somebody’s on the ground.

You’ve got Steve Cunningham in there running punches. I’m throwing 700, 800 punches a fight, moving, flipping, countering and that’s not a heavyweight to them. So the team, my wife, my manager, we all sat down and just like, “Hey let’s just go, let’s do the cruiserweight thing now and make it happen from there.”

Q
Do you feel you’re done with heavyweight at this point?

S. Cunningham
No I’m not. I still think there’s a possibility, because you guys know I can go back and compete with those big guys. I floored the heavyweight world champion right now with one punch. That’s Tyson Fury. So I can compete. Even though he won that fight, I can compete with these guys. I beat some big guys, some good, some heavier guys, some good heavyweight fighters.

When we win this fight and we beat this man, which could give me a quick shoot right to some titles, right to a title fight at heavyweight. But, that’s always a possibility but the major thing is beating G?owacki April 16.

Q
Krzysztof, after the fight with Marco Huck, the great comeback against him, were you at all disappointed that you had to stay out as long as he did because my understanding is you had some injuries that you suffered in that fight?

K. G?owacki
It was very frustrating. I wanted to be back sooner than later but my doctors were telling me that this was a 7-millimeter break in my hand so I couldn’t do anything. I was trying to do everything. I was running, I was spending some time in the gym, but obviously not boxing. But maybe there was a silver lining in disguise because it makes me so unbelievably hungry to actually be back right now. So this is my time and this time away made me even more hungry than usual. I want to thank everyone for getting me the opportunity to fight again in the states.

Q
I would like to know from Krzysztof which hand did he break and was it only his hand? I also had thought maybe there was an elbow injury involved. Was it just the hand and which hand was it?

K. G?owacki
So this injury actually was a left wrist injury. It actually happened last week of sparring before Marco Huck. Part of the bone was missing, 7-millimeters of bone, which has to be transplanted again into his left wrist after the fight. So this was the extent of the injury, and this was – it looked very bad for a long time but now everything is perfectly well. So it actually happened before Marco Huck fight.

Q
How big of a deal was it back in Poland? How well received were you when you went home? Are you a big national hero now?

K. G?owacki
Yes the difference was unbelievable. When I arrived in Poland in the airport there were people with flowers. There was a police escort to my hometown. Everybody was so happy. It’s an unbelievable feeling to be a world champion. I want to have this feeling again coming back after this fight. I want to say that before, I was relatively unknown but it happened and it changes everything unbelievably right now. People are smiling at me. On the streets, they approach me. They want to talk boxing. It’s unbelievable and a great feeling to have.

L. DiBella
The Marcus Brown vs. “Hot Rod” Kalajdzic fight will be a 10-round light heavyweight fight. Radivoje Kalajdzic is 21-0 with 14 KOs, fights out of St. Petersburg, Florida, originally from Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Turned pro in 2011. He’s fighting in New York for the first time. He has wins over Donta Woods, Otis Griffin, Lionel Thompson, Rayco Saunders, Gilberto Domingos, and Fabio Garrido. He had a good amateur career and he’s an accomplished young light heavyweight.

This is also going to be the most difficult fight and the biggest fight of “Hot Rod’s” career, because he’s taking on a terrific fighter in 25-year-old southpaw, 2012 U.S. Olympian and three-time Golden Glove champion Marcus Browne. Marcus is 17-0 with 13 KOs. Turned pro in 2012. Eight of his thirteen knockouts have come in the first round and he’ll be fighting at Barclays Center for I think a record 11th time. He had four impressive wins in 2015 over Aaron Pryor Jr, Cornelius White, former world champion Gabriel Campillo, and Francisco Sierra.

I’ll start with “Hot Rod”. Despite his very difficult to pronounce name, Radivoje Kalajdzic speaks beautiful English and has been here for a while and he doesn’t need any kind of translation at all, as you will hear. So Hot Rod, say a few words, please.

Radivoje Kalajdzic
Hello. I’m just happy to be fighting at Barclays Center. It’s a big show. I don’t really have much to say. I’m just ready to fight and I hope Marcus Browne is. I’m just here to answer any other questions that they got.

Marcus Browne
Yes. I’m happy to fight at the Barclays. I’m ready. This is another step on the road to becoming a world champion and everyone wants to make it seem like he’s the best fighter I’ve faced. I will say, “come the 16th, we’ll see.”

Q
Marcus, I just wanted to ask, you seem to be aggravated with what you’ve been hearing in the media in terms of Hot Rod being your best opponent. If you could just elaborate a little bit as to why you don’t feel he’s not your best opponent to date.

M. Browne
I’m not aggravated at all actually. Best opponent in a professional fight? Yes. But I’m talking about the best guy I’ve been in the ring with, no, not at all. Come April 16, like I said, I’m going to do the talking with my hands because that’s how we conversate in boxing.

Q
Hot Rod I just wanted to ask since you’re from St. Petersburg, are you familiar with Keith Thurman? Have you been to the gym there with Dan Birmingham and what kind of sparring have you gotten in that St. Petersburg area?

R. Kalajdzic
Yes I was there with them for one fight, with Keith Thurman training, about a six to eight-week camp. I got in the ring with him for about four rounds. It was a good work because he’s a hard hitter. That’s about it. A hard-worker. I’ve been in there with him eight weeks for one camp. A great humble guy.

Q
Now for preparation for this fight, who have you brought in for sparring?

R. Kalajdzic
Lennox Allen, a super-middleweight.

L. DiBella
For those who don’t know, Lennox Allen is an undefeated super middleweight who campaigns out of New York City.

Q
Marcus, I’d like your scouting report on Hot Rod. If I haven’t seen him fight before, tell me about how he fights.

M. Browne
I see what I see, and come April 16 I’m going to exploit it, and that’s about it. I’m not about to sit here and get detailed on what I see as a fighter. He’s talented, he’s young, he’s undefeated. He doesn’t want to lose his 0, just like I don’t want to lose my 0. At the end of the day, that calls for fireworks in a fight, and that’s about it for me. As far as me seeing anything or any little details, why would I tell you and tell him at the same time?

Q
Hot Rod, back to you. What’s your scouting report on Marcus Browne? What’s your assessment of him, strengths and weaknesses?

R. Kalajdzic
Well I’ve seen him fight on YouTube also. So, he’s got speed, he’s got power, he’s stopped a lot of guys in the first round. But the weaknesses, I’m not going to tell you that either. Just wait till fight night and I’ll show you.

Q
When they brought this fight to you and your trainer Gary Stark and they said you were fighting Hot Rod, was Hot Rod even on your radar at that time?

M. Browne
They threw his name at us like a couple months ago and we said yes. They threw his name at us again and we said yes again. So. I mean at the end of the day, this is a fight that for both of us in our career, it’s essential. You have to fight guys like this on the road to become the champion. As far as him being on my radar, I don’t know him, you know what I’m saying, I never really heard of him. But, he’s young, undefeated and he’s strong. I got a lot of power too, so come April 16 we’re going to be on both of each other’s radar for sure.

Q
Marcus does your confidence and your boxing ability also stems from your Olympic experience?

M. Browne
Not really. The Olympics are the Olympics, the amateurs are the amateurs, the pros are a totally different game. So you cannot go in there thinking like, “Oh I was an amateur starm I’m going to be a great pro.”

Two totally different games. All it takes is one punch. At the end of the day, I’ve been in there with, , a lot of good guys at a young age. There’s a lot of strong guys, a lot of champions.

I’ve been around guys, you know, for as long as I can remember. Growing up as a kid, being in the gym with all these guys. So I mean that’s just the type of pedigree and the type of confidence that you’ve got to have being around those kinds of guys.

But for the most part, no, the amateurs are totally different from the pros, and I’m not even looking at what I did in the amateurs as like that’s going to help me in the pros, because it really doesn’t. It all comes down to who really wants it more at the end of the day.

Do you guys both follow the philosophy of not studying styles but picking up the weaknesses, having seen each other fight on film?

R. Kalajdzic
I’ve seen a couple fights on YouTube and I know weakness, so we’re not really focusing on that, we’re just focusing on what I’m going to do and focus on my game plan and how do you exploit his. I’ve seen a couple weaknesses, so we’re mostly we’re working on the mitts with my coach on his weaknesses and stuff like that.

M. Browne
One of my Olympic coaches, he always told me that a guy always is going to make the same mistake. So you just let him make his mistake and worry about what you’re going to do.

I really don’t get real study guides like that because at the end of the day, it’s all about what we’re going to do. I’ve taken a look and I see what I see and that’s about it for me personally. I’m not going to stand and go on a limb and say like I come home after the gym and put him in my laptop and watch him. That’s not what I do.

Q
Just curious if you had heard of Marcus Browne coming up and what were your thoughts about him and just what were you hearing about Marcus as he was coming up as a prospect?

R. Kalajdzic
I hadn’t really heard about him until a couple of months ago. They offered me the fight and I didn’t take it a couple months ago. I have my reasons but, they offered the same fight again this time and I took it. But that was the first time I heard of him, a couple months ago. I didn’t really hear about him before.

Q
When they offered you the fight the first time, how come you didn’t take it?

R. Kalajdzic
I wasn’t with my right coach. I was with Pete Finese. I’m with my original coach from the amateurs that taught everything and I feel like he’s the best in the world. So when they asked me about the same fight I felt confident and took it.

Q
Is there any fear from fighting in Marcus’ hometown?

R. Kalajdzic
No, I’m actually excited. I fight a lot of my flights in my hometown and I want to get away, , have the crowd against me, see how that feels. So I’m excited because there’s only going to be him and me in the ring at the end of the night, so I’m actually excited.

Q
Marcus do you take it as kind of a slight that everyone is calling this your toughest fight and everyone is making a big deal about the fact that you’re facing another undefeated guy?

M. Browne
No, not at all. I don’t take it personally. This is boxing. This is what this sport calls for. At the end of the day, like I said, he is basically my toughest opponent as a professional.

He’s young, undefeated. He’s strong. He’s hungry. He’s coming from where he’s coming from. He’s got a family to feed and so do I. We’re both undefeated and that calls for fireworks in the fight, plain and simple.

Q
Have you given any thought to the fact that you could be in a good position to maybe become the first member of your Olympic team to become a professional world champion?

M. Browne
Yes, definitely, definitely, definitely. Definitely, definitely, but becoming a world champion has been my dream since I was a kid coming up in the sport of boxing.

You want to be the first out of your team to become a world champion. That’s always something that the guys and me would whisper about here and there.

But most importantly, our focus is April 16th and that fight and that fight only. Whatever happens after that is all part of God’s plan. I can’t look past this guy.

I’m not going to let any little competition between me and my teammates make me look past this guy because he’s live and he’s coming. He’s coming to Brooklyn, he’s excited and so am I. It’s going to be a great fight honestly. That’s how I feel personally.
L. DiBella
Chris Algieri is promoted by Star Boxing, Joe DeGuardia at Star Boxing. I’ll let Joe just say a few words, if he’d like, about the main event.

Joe DeGuardia
Thank you. I’m just pleased to be back at Barclays Center in Brooklyn where Chris has had so many exciting fights and back on PBC and on NBC. We’re looking forward to this fight.

It’s ironic that it’s been less than two years that Chris burst upon the scene and within those two years, he’s become a real veteran. And now he’s fighting a guy like Errol Spence. So we’re interested and looking forward to the fight and thank you everybody.

L. DiBella
Thank you, Joe. Chris Algieri has had a terrific career. He’s beaten the odds in a number of occasions. He rose to fame in June 2014 at the Barclay Center, defeating Ruslan Provodnikov for a super lightweight world title. After being battered around for a round, he showed his heart in overcoming those two first round knockdowns and a swollen right eye to thoroughly outbox Provodnikov and win a world title.

He just beat Erik Bone via a unanimous decision in December and before that, what former champion, Amir Khan, in a close competitive bout last May that was controversial in the eyes of some people. In 2014, he traveled to China to challenge Manny Pacquiao but lost the decision. You know, this is obviously a big step up for the young lion, Errol Spence, Jr. and, you know, it’s a weird situation for Chris who’s been a big name in the sport for a long time.

But here, due to the great talent of his young opponent and the many people that have made him an underdog in this fight, Chris is in an interesting crossroads situation. So I’m going to let Chris Algieri, the pride of Huntington, New York, 21-2 with eight KOs, former world champion, say a few words.

Chris Algieri
Thank you Lou. Thank you everyone. I appreciate you all coming out today and paying attention closely to this big fight that we’ve got an April 16th. It’s an honor to be back at Barclays Center and looking forward to putting on another great performance.

I had some of my best performance is there at Barclays Center. I believe April 16th will be just another one of those and training is going fantastic so far. I’m actually getting more and more excited as we get closer to fight night which is generally the case during training camp as game plans come together and fitness levels reach optimal. So again, thank you all and looking forward to April 16th.

L. DiBella
Thank you very much, Chris. And now this young man, he hails out of Texas. He was named Prospect of the Year for 2015 by ESPN and Sports Illustrated. He’s a 26-year-old former 2012 US Olympian turned pro in 2012, 19-0 with 16 KOs.

This guy’s a tough customer for anyone to face. And despite his relative youth, and professional inexperience, he’s widely considered one of the great young talents and boxing, Errol Spence, Jr.

Errol Spence, Jr.
Thanks. I’m very happy to be fighting April 16th at Barclays Center. It’s a great opportunity for me and just another, you know, stepping stone for my career. I really want to be infighting in the world title.

It is going great. I’m already on weight. I’m just waiting until April 16th to put on a great performance.

Q
Do you believe that you are at the top among all the young talents right now or do something still have to be proven, that includes, against Chris, on April 16th?

E. Spence, Jr.
Well, it’s always something to prove. You’ve always got to prove yourself you know. I do think I’m one of the top talents of all the young guys. But I’ve I got to prove myself on April 16th. Everybody wants to see what I’ve got.

They’ve got a lot of questions that aren’t answered. And they want to see who answer those questions, so April 16th. I’ve got to prove myself. That’s my stepping stone. So I’m ready for it.

Q
Chris, question for you. I mean, it’s yet to be played out. We can say what we say on paper but are you able to say, going into this, how good you think Spence is amongst that crop of young talent or really do have to step in there yourself on April 16th?

C. Algieri
Listen, there’s no question the guy is good. At this stage of the game, everybody are going to fight is going to be good. You know, the kid wouldn’t be here if he wasn’t a damn good fighter.

So, we’re taking that into account and preparing the best way possible. But we’ve got a lot of pressure on it. A lot of people are looking to see how he’s going to perform with a guy like me. And, it’s a very difficult task to go from prospect to contender. You know, making those jumps is not easy for anyone in their career. And it’s just – you’ve got to be careful taking big leaps and I do believe that myself and my team believe that this is a huge leap for the Spence camp.

Q
Chris, with your background and kickboxing and obviously, you know, about the MMA building path here in New York, you know, lifting the ban, could you ever see yourself at some point fighting in an MMA fight in New York? I do obviously it’s not on your radar now but I’m saying, like, down the road at some point?

C. Algieri
No, no. That is a resounding no. No, I am living my dream right now. I am a professional boxer. That’s what I saw myself when I was a child, being a champion boxer. I realized that. When I was a child, there was not a UFC.

I wasn’t watching Randy Couture when I was five years old thinking that I wanted to be like him because he wasn’t there yet. So for me, it’s just – boxing for me is a passion and if the past is not there, then there’s no sense for me to compete in dangerous sports like this. So MMA is out of the question for me.

Q
Do think that might have been different, Chris, if, you know, the UFC was bigger when you’re coming up and if MMA was legal in New York, that maybe you would have been involved in MMA earlier on instead of boxing?

C. Algieri
Yes, that could have been – that could be possible. I can’t say that, I can’t say definitely not. If I grew up a different way and was watching different guys and had different heroes, you never know. So it is what it is now and I’m a boxer.

Q
Thanks, Chris. I appreciate the answer. One question for Errol. Errol, Chris made the point saying how jumping from prospect to contender is a really big leap. I’m just curious what your reaction to that is.

E. Spence, Jr.
It’s the truth. It is. Prospect to contender that’s a big leap but you’ve got to go through it., I’m a highly rated prospect.

So, the least I have to do. That’s what I have to do to give at the top level. That’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to go through any door that I can open and I’m going to open it.

Q
Do think too much is being made of the jump from prospect to contender when it comes to you that for you it’s not going to be as difficult as maybe other people believe it is?

E. Spence, Jr.
I’m not going to say it’s not going to be as difficult but it’s not a big deal to me. I mean, it’s just the fight, so. This is boxing. You’ve got to get in the ring and fight another opponent. Of course he has a better pedigree than my recent opponent but it’s just another fight.

L. DiBella
To just interject for a second. The thing about this card and what makes it such a compelling card and the reason that people should be out there and supporting it and buying tickets for it and tuning into it is that every story – every fight on here has a legitimate storyline.

Every fight on here is compelling as an individual matchup. Marcus and Hot Rod, two undefeated young guys. The winner takes a huge step up. The loser takes a step back but it’s that effort to prove that you’ve already eclipsed being a prospect and you’re moving into contender status and that the the other young guys are no longer enough to challenge you.

So that’s what both guys are trying to prove. Glowacki had that great win against Huck, but no one knew who he was going into that. Now he’s got to get in there with a two-time world champion who is going to try to take his hat off and regain what he thinks is his. Cunningham is a respected guy, a real veteran and one of the toughest guys in the business to fight. That’s a great story line. And then Chris isn’t an opponent. He’s a former world champion and he’s a guy that’s been fighting on, really, the highest level of his career over the last couple of years and probably, right now, at the top of his game and in his prime.

Errol is so good that that type of challenge is one that he is seeking right now because he wants to prove right now that there’s no welterweight in the world that he’s not capable of beating.

Those are three compelling boxing storylines. This is a great boxing show. It’s not about anyone guy’s particular name. It’s about three bouts on NBC, in prime time, at Barclays Center that are all compelling fights.

Q
Errol, obviously much has been made about you stepping up the competition. However, this is the first fighter you faced with other real combat sports experience with Chris’s kickboxing experience. Do you think or are you worried of his inner will and tenacity to win due to his accomplishments in other combat sports?

E. Spence, Jr.
This is boxing – I’ve played other sports – football, basketball, soccer, but I mean it’s boxing. Chris, he has a lot of heart. He has a lot of grit too, and he always comes to fight. So, it’s going to be a good fight.

Q
Absolutely. And Chris, my next question for you, how was camp this go round? I know you jumped around from New York to Vegas to South Florida. Where were you? Who are the players on the team?

C. Algieri
Actually currently training in Boca Raton, Florida right now with John David Jackson. I started off camp actually in New York with Pete Trimble and it’s been going great so far.

I’ve put in a lot of great work. Florida has been kind of my second home for training camps for the past year or so and it’s been working out really well. It’s an easy trip between here and New York. It’s just a few hours. Jump on a flight. Same time zone, so it makes, coming back to Barclays to go to work that much easier.

Q
Good afternoon, Errol and Chris. Errol, my first question is for you. Obviously everyone is stating the whole prospect of contender, but your trainer went a step above and maybe put a little more pressure on the shoulders of yours by saying that this win over Chris Algieri will come in better fashion than Manny Pacquiao. He feels that you’re a bigger, stronger and more technical fighter than Manny Pacquiao. Can you give me your thoughts on your trainer and what he said?

E. Spence, Jr.
I don’t really know too much aboug what he said. The only thing I know that he said was what you just told me. But I am a bigger, stronger fighter than Manny Pacquiao.

I am more technically sound and I think, smarter fighter than Manny Pacquiao. But, there’s no pressure now. I don’t have any pressure on my shoulders. I don’t put pressure on myself. I’m just coming in just like it’s another fight, training harder than ever, and just looking to put on a great show.

Q
And your knockouts, normally when you hit guys, they go down, you’re a killer to the body obviously, but Algieri has shown that he can get up. He’s been knocked down by Manny Pacquiao six times and has gotten up. Does that play in the back of your mind that this may have to go the 12 rounds?

E. Spence, Jr.
I’m training for a 12 round fight. I’m not trying for a knock them out or hoping to get a stoppage. I mean, it’s great if I do stop them, but I’m training for a 12-round fight.

Q
Chris for you, same thing, when I spoke to Derek James he says, “Well, Chris Algieri, he faced Manny Pacquiao, but Manny Pacquiao was moving up in weight. Chris Algieri was moving up in weight.” Errol Spence is a natural welterweight. Errol Spence is bigger, stronger, more technically sound than anyone that Algieri has faced. I want to know your thoughts to that.

C. Algieri
Yes, the thing about Manny Pacquiao, it’s tough to compare him to other guys. He’s not like other guys. He can’t stay there and go, “Yes, well, his style isn’t technically perfect.” He doesn’t do what you’re supposed to do. His technique is not that great.

It doesn’t matter. He’s made it work for him over how many years and how many weight classes? You can’t do any kind of comparison when it comes to Manny Pacquiao and styles and preparation and being in the ring with a guy like that.

Listen, I’ve been in a ring with guys who are bigger than Manny and they hit harder than Manny but, you know, Manny is a different kind of guy. He’s a different kind of style, you know, so trying to compare Errol Spence and many Manny Pacquiao stylistically or size is apples and oranges to say the least.

So I really don’t take anything from that statement and then trying to compare guys and styles anyway, I mean, styles make fights and it’s all about matchups. Boxing is a rhythm sport. You can watch rhythm on a tape. You can figure it out and see it too.

You’ve got to be in with somebody and the way those styles mesh is what makes boxing what boxing is. So trying to compare styles is relevant for this conversation.

Q
So it was more about the size, the fact that Manny and Ruslan and other guys have been 140-pounders where Errol is a natural 147-pounds.

C. Algieri
My kickboxing record, a lot of my fights were actually at 154 and 147. So it’s not my first time being in a ring with a true welterweight or a true 154 pounder.

I’ve been in the ring with guys, with big punchers, with guys who were bigger, had big bodies. I worked with over the years even inspiring and training sessions with much larger men. I’ve never had a problem with punches, never had a problem with bigger guys. So I don’t foresee that being a problem.

Q
How do you guys feel of what’s going on with the pros being able to fight in the Olympics? What is your feeling on that and if you could explain it?

C. Algieri
I like the idea, because the headgear and the point system can kind of change the sport a little bit, making the amateurs and the pros almost as if there were two different sports, changing the whole style of the game.

What worries me about that is that without the headgear, is an increased risk for clashes of heads and facial cuts and lacerations which can affect a pro in his career leader.

So you could have guys who are coming out of the amateurs with a great pedigree but they have a bunch of scar tissue around their eyes which can affect them in the pros down the line.

E. Spence, Jr.
I don’t agree with it. They’re fighting grown man. You’ve got kids, like Shakur Stevenson. He’s 18 years old and now he’s got to go fight a Russian or Cuban who’s 35 years old.

These are grown men. These guys can punch. If fighting our kids, our teenagers that are 18, 19 year old teenagers then no, I don’t agree with it.

Q
Errol, can we expect to see you more than twice a year? How many times you think you’ll fight this year?

E. Spence, Jr.
Hopefully I’ll fight three times this year. I want to stay active as long as I’m healthy and everything is going well. I want to stay active. I don’t want to sit around and wait on different opponents and wait for this opportunity. I want to stay in the ring. I want to stay winning. So I’ll be active this year.

Q
God willing, you get past Chris Algieri, who’s on the hit list? Is it big names from here on out? Can we expect to see that?

E. Spence, Jr.
Definitely. I’m not looking past Chris Algieri. That’s the main focus right now is Chris Algieri. After April 16th, I’ll call out whomever, but my goal is always to fight the big names.

Even when I was, you know, 15, 14, when I was fighting on a Keith Thurman card, I said I would beat anybody on the card.

That was basically calling out those guys. So I’ve been calling out the bigger names for the longest and I’m going to keep doing it. But April 16th, the main goal is Chris Algieri.
Barclays Center’s BROOKLYN BOXING™ programming platform is presented by AARP. For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com and www.nbcsports.com/boxing, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing,@ErrolSpenceJr, @ChrisAlgieri, @USSCunningham, @Marcus_Browne, @LouDiBella, @StarBoxing,@NBCSports, @BarclaysCenter and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/NBCSports, www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment and www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter. Highlights available at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions. PBC on NBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

BROOKLYN (March 24, 2016) – Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on NBC fighters held a media conference call today to discuss their Saturday, April 16 matchups at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Undefeated rising star Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr., former world champion Chris Algieri, cruiserweight world champion Krzysztof Glowacki, former cruiserweight champion Steve “U.S.S.” Cunningham, unbeaten 2012 U.S. Olympian “Sir” Marcus Browne and undefeated light heavyweight Radivoje Kalajdzic spoke to media in advance of their primetime showdowns on NBC, with televised coverage beginning at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Star Boxing, start at $25, not including applicable fees, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, www.barclayscenter.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.

Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday:

ERROL SPENCE JR.

“This is a great opportunity for me. It’s another step in my career to get to where I want to be, which is a world title fight.

“Camp is going great. I’m on weight and I’m looking forward to a putting on a great, one-sided performance on April 16.

“I have something to prove. I believe I’m one of the top talents in the sport but I have to prove myself in this fight. There are a lot of questions that need answering. April 16 I have to prove myself and I’m ready for it.

“Going from prospect to contender is a leap, but you have to go through it. There’s a lot expected from me. This is what I have to do to get into that top-five level.

“Chris has a lot of heart. He’s gritty. I know he’s going to come to fight and make it a real entertaining fight.

“I don’t put any pressure on myself. I’m training harder than ever but I’ll come in like it’s any other fight. I’m ready to put on a great show.

“I want to fight at least three times this year. As long as I’m healthy and everything is going well, I want to stay active. I don’t want to wait around for an opponent. I want to get in the ring and stay winning.”

CHRIS ALGIERI

“We’re looking forward to putting on another great performance. I’ve had some of my best performances at Barclays and this is going to be another.

“I’m getting more and more excited as we get to fight night. I’m really looking forward to April 16.

“This kid wouldn’t be here if he wasn’t a good fighter. There’s a lot of pressure on him. It’s a very difficult task to go from prospect to contender. It’s not easy to make that jump. You have to be careful taking big leaps. I believe that this is a huge leap.

“I’ve been in the ring with big guys and hard-hitters. Styles make fights but it’s all about matchups. Boxing is a rhythm sport. You have to be in with a guy and see how the styles mesh.

“I fought at 147 and 154 when I kick-boxed so I’ve been in the ring with those bigger guys. I’ve never had a problem with size.”

KRZYSZTOF GLOWACKI

“I’m so happy to be able to fight again in the United States and I’m going to deliver another great fight. I hope both the Polish and American fans are going to be there for this explosive fight.

“I’m absolutely ready to come to the United States and defend my title.

“It was very frustrating to have the injuries that I had. I couldn’t do anything. The silver lining is that I’m so unbelievably hungry to return. I’m even hungrier than usual.

“My reception back home after the Huck fight was unbelievable. When I arrived from the airport there were people with flowers and I got a police escort to my hometown. It’s an unbelievable feeling to be a world champion. I want to have this feeling again when I return. I was relatively unknown but now people approach me on the streets and it’s a great feeling to have.”

STEVE CUNNINGHAM

“I’m excited to have another opportunity at a world title in the cruiserweight division. I’m always ready, I’m always prepared and in the gym.

“Glowacki is a formidable foe. He made a big splash in his U.S. debut and people will want to see if he can live up to that. We’re going to get together and make some fireworks.

“This isn’t new territory for me just a new opponent. We don’t look past anybody and we’re ready for this one. It’s war time.

“I know he’s driven, but I’m driven also. I’ve fought all over the world. It’s new fighting close to home, but it’s still going to feel like Poland in Barclays Center. Well I’ve fought in Poland before, so we’re just going to take everything from camp and bring it to the fight.”

MARCUS BROWNE

“This is just another step for me on the road to becoming world champion. Everyone wants to make it seem like he is the best fighter I’ve ever faced. April 16 we will see.

“I see what I see from ‘Hot Rod’. He’s young, he’s undefeated and he doesn’t want to lose his 0. I’m going to take care of it in the ring.

“These kind of fights are essential for both of us and that will cause fireworks. He wasn’t on my radar before but come April 16 we’ll both be on each other’s radar for sure.

“Is he the best opponent I’ve faced in a professional fight? Yes. But this isn’t the best guy I’ve been in the ring with. April 16 I’m going to take care of my business in the ring. That’s how we converse in boxing.

“You can’t go in there thinking that what you did in the amateurs makes you a great pro. It’s two totally different games. I’ve been in there with a lot of good guys from a young age.”

RADIVOJE KALAJDZIC

“I’m happy to be fighting at Barclays Center on a great show. I’m just ready to fight and I hope Marcus Browne is too.

“I’ve worked with Keith Thurman before and gotten in the ring with him since we both train down in St. Petersburg, Florida. It’s real good work. He’s a great fighter.

“Marcus obviously has speed and power. I won’t tell you his weaknesses but if you watch on fight night, I’ll show you.

“We’re mostly focused on what I’m going to do. We’re working on our game plan and we’ll get in there and exploit his weaknesses.

“I’m excited to be fighting in Brooklyn. I’ve fought in my hometown and I’m excited to have the crowd against me. It’s only going to be him and me in the ring.”

* * *

Barclays Center’s BROOKLYN BOXING™ programming platform is presented by AARP. For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com and www.nbcsports.com/boxing, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @ErrolSpenceJr, @ChrisAlgieri, @USSCunningham, @Marcus_Browne, @LouDiBella, @StarBoxing, @NBCSports, @BarclaysCenter and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions,www.facebook.com/NBCSports, www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment and www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter. Highlights available at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions. PBC on NBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

NEW YORK (March 9. 2016) – Undefeated rising star Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. and former world champion Chris Algieri went face-to-face for the first time Wednesday at a press conference at Gallagher’s Steakhouse in Manhattan as they discussed their Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on NBC showdown taking place Saturday, April 16 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Also in attendance Wednesday was former world champion Steve “U.S.S.” Cunningham, who takes on cruiserweight world champion Krzysztof Glowacki, and undefeated 2012 U.S. Olympian “Sir” Marcus Browne, who faces undefeated Radivoje “Hot Rod” Kalajdzic.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Star Boxing, start at $25, not including applicable fees, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, www.barclayscenter.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.

Here is what the participants had to say Wednesday:

ERROL SPENCE JR.

“A lot of people have been asking me when I was going to fight top competition. When you look good in the ring, nobody wants to fight you. Established guys don’t want to fight you, so I want to thank Chris Algieri for taking this fight.

“It would be a major statement if I could stop Chris Algieri. He’s been in there with hard-punchers so I’m looking to make a statement about my power. Especially for me being a young contender, it would just show everything I have in my arsenal and where I’m going in my career.

“I’ve never envisioned it this way, but my team always told me to be patient and everything will come on time. Now I’m here in the NBC main event.

“This is a very important fight. Chris Algieri is a tough fighter. All of his fights have been exciting and we’re looking to make it exciting and one-sided. I’m looking to dominate the whole fight.

“From watching Algieri, I know he has good footwork and likes to box. Recently it seems like he’s become more aggressive and standing his ground a bit more. I’m ready for either style.

“I don’t really care if I get tested. I want to perform and show my skill set. I’m going to answers a lot of questions people have in the ring.

“I know I’ll be the next big star in boxing. I just have to stay grounded, do what I’ve been doing and listen to my team. The sky is the limit.

“I want a world title this year. I want the winner of the Kell Brook vs. Kevin Bizier fight. I would definitely go to the UK. I’d fight any of the champions, but I can’t look past Chris Algieri. I’m 100 percent focused on him.

“My career is a process. It doesn’t happen overnight. For me, fighting on this platform and getting my story out is a good start. It’s about what I do in the ring, I have to look spectacular and get the knockouts.

“Everybody should tune-in or get your tickets. This is going to be a fight for the history books.”

CHRIS ALGIERI

“It’s exciting to be back in the main event on the world stage. I take every fight very seriously and I prepare my best each time. It’s just another day at the office.

“I’m looking forward to working extremely hard and being as prepared as possible. I’ve never picked who I step in the ring with. My job is to prepare, fight and win. On April 16 that is exactly what I’m going to do.

“I’m honored to be on a card of this magnitude. I’m looking forward to seeing everybody come out for a great night of fights.

“Every fight going forward is about winning and moving towards a welterweight title. Every fight is one step closer to getting my opportunity. This win over Errol Spence Jr. will propel me into fights with the biggest names.

“I have to beat everybody who is in front of me. That’s what this fight is. Spence is just another guy in the welterweight division. I’ve always said I’m willing to fight the top guys in my weight class and whether he’s the top guy now or will be one day, it doesn’t matter.

“I’m looked at as the veteran here, but I’m a young veteran. I have a ton of experience and I think that will propel me for the rest of my career.

“Spence hasn’t fought anyone. I don’t think he’s fought a guy who’s tried to win. To label me as a gatekeeper against someone who hasn’t made real fights isn’t really a fair distinction.

“He’s done all his work against guys who were tailor made for him to beat up. He hasn’t fought a guy with footwork or a guy who can box. He hasn’t fought many guys who were in there to win. It will be a really eye-opening experience for him and a lot of people on April 16.

“I’ve had some of my best performances at Barclays Center and it’s an honor to be back. I feel that arena brings the best out of me.”

STEVE CUNNINGHAM

“I won both of my world titles overseas. Guys like Glowacki grew up watching me fight in their home countries. He’s frothing at the mouth to get at me. Sometimes the meal that you want isn’t a good one for you. I’m going to upset his stomach really good.

“It’s going to be a good fight. I come intelligent and I come to fight. I’m going to make other 40-year-olds jealous when everyone sees the work that I do. I’m going to be prepared mentally, spiritually and physically.

“I’m prepared to fight in any environment. My first title defense was in Marco Huck’s hometown. I went into the lion’s den. It’s all experience. I have a great range of experience and knowledge that helps me in the ring.

“It’s great to be on a card with guys like Errol Spence Jr. and Chris Algieri. I’ve seen these guys grind. I watched Errol in the Olympics and I’ve fought on the same undercards as Algieri. It’s awesome to be a part of this.

“A fight is a fight. Age doesn’t matter to me. Only thing that really means something is the opponent. When you get in there with your plan, the opponent matters less as you break him down.

“When I first started, my motivation was to make money for my family. My motivation is always changing though. I believe I was born to do this. I love working out and pushing my mind and body to the brink. Most of all, I just love challenges.

“I’m is a cruiserweight. My camps are always like seven or eight weeks, but I’m always in the gym. My team is great at making sure I’m ready and peaking at fight week.

“I’m training in Philadelphia and living in Pittsburgh. There’s great work in Philadelphia and that’s why we’re staying there this time. It’s the perfect place to train for this fight.”

MARCUS BROWNE

“There’s never been a champion from Staten Island and that is the goal. I want to become the first from Staten Island.

“I’m always happy to be back at Barclays Center. I’m on a great card and I’m ready to breakout and move beyond the prospect label. I’m ready to display my talents against an undefeated guy.

“Come April 16 I’m going to do what I do best. I really want my hands to do the talking on fight night.

“I’m motivated because I came from nothing. I’m hungry to be a world champion, but not just a world champion. I want to be a legend.

“We’re mostly training in Staten Island but we’ll go to California to train at The Rock Gym in Carson, California. We’re going to get some really good work out there.

“It’s very important to look good, but I’m not putting any extra pressure on myself. We will look good on April 16 though.

“This is boxing. This is what it takes. You have to beat guys like this to get to the next level. This has been a long time coming.

“I’m blessed to be in the position I’m in. I haven’t made it yet and I won’t tell myself that I did. I can’t let myself get comfortable.

“I’m not worried about what my opponent is bringing. I’m just worried about what I bring into the ring.”

LOU DIBELLA, President of DiBella Entertainment

“This is a great show and I’m really proud to be promoting it. These are three real fights with their own terrific storylines.

“Rising super star Errol Spence Jr. is as talented of a kid as I’ve seen come on the scene in 10 years or so. That’s how much talent I believe he has. That being said, he hasn’t faced a guy like Chris Algieri. Who is a guy who can do anything in the ring and is a former world champion.

“The fact that Errol is stepping up and that Chris is willing to face Errol says a lot about both guys. These are two confident champions. The winner of this fight will make big money very quickly.

“Glowacki is coming off a Fight of the Year candidate bout and now he’s going to have to face a man who was a cruiserweight champion himself, in Steve Cunningham.

“Marcus Browne, an undefeated Olympian at light heavyweight, will face a strong undefeated fighter in ‘Hot Rod’ Kalajdzic. Marcus is confident in his road to superstardom and hot rod will try to derail that train.

“These are three good competitive fights for the fans.”

BRETT YORMARK, CEO of Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment

“On the heels of a spectacular night in January, we return for another great night at Barclays Center. This will make our 17th boxing show. We are the home of professional boxing now.

“It’s our second PBC on NBC event and I’m thrilled to have Errol and Chris in our ring. We expect a lot of Long Islanders to take the LIRR to Barclays Center.

“Marcus Browne has the most fights at Barclays Center. Even though he’s from Staten Island, we consider him an honorary Brooklynite.”

Barclays Center’s BROOKLYN BOXING™ programming platform is presented by AARP. For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com and www.nbcsports.com/boxing, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @ErrolSpenceJr, @ChrisAlgieri, @USSCunningham, @Marcus_Browne, @LouDiBella, @StarBoxing, @NBCSports, @BarclaysCenter and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions,www.facebook.com/NBCSports, www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment and www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter. Highlights available at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions. PBC on NBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

BROOKLYN (February 23, 2016) –
Rising star and 2012 U.S. Olympian Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. (19-0, 16 KOs) will take on former world champion Chris Algieri (21-2, 8 KOs) in a 10-round welterweight showdown headlining an exciting night of matchups on Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on NBC in primetime on Saturday, April 16 from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

The NBC coverage begins at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT and will see unbeaten world champion Krzysztof Glowacki (25-0, 16 KOs) of Poland squaring-off against former two-time cruiserweight world champion Steve “U.S.S.” Cunningham (28-7, 13 KOs) plus 2012 U.S. Olympian and unbeaten light heavyweight “Sir” Marcus Browne (17-0, 13 KOs) of Staten Island takes on undefeated Radivoje “Hot Rod” Kalajdzic (21-0, 14 KOs) in a 10-round battle.

PBC on NBC kicks off 2016 with the consensus Prospect of the Year, Spence, Jr. taking a serious step up in competition by going in against popular Long Island-native and former world champion Algieri.

Plus, the first world title defense of Poland’s Glowacki, fresh of a Fight of the Year upset over Marco Huck, against former U.S. Naval officer and former cruiserweight champion Cunningham in a battle that is sure to thrill those watching on NBC and at Barclays Center. For the light heavyweight rising star Browne, this represents a step up in platform and competition as he is featured in a primetime telecast for the first time and will no doubt look for an emphatic victory in his record 11th appearance at Barclays Center.

“I’m excited to be back again, fighting on NBC. This is a huge opportunity for me, to be this young and early in my career and headlining a primetime event, just the exposure alone,” said Spence. “Of course, I’m happy to be fighting in Brooklyn at Barclays Center. New York City is known for putting on great fights, and this is going to be a big event with a big-name fighter. Chris Algieri has been in the ring with Amir Khan, Manny Pacquiao and Ruslan Provodnikov and he’s a former world champ. This is a big fight for me and a step up, but I plan to rise to the occasion. I’m going to handle him like I’ve handled all of my past opponents.”

“I am so excited to come back to the US for a major fight,” said Glowacki. “I respect Steve Cunningham as a sportsman and as a man. He is a world class fighter and I know that he will be well prepared against me. I would like to thank my Polish promoters, my coaches, Al Haymon, Leon Margules of Warriors Boxing, and DiBella Entertainment. They gave me the opportunity to face Marco Huck for the world title last year and I knocked him out, doing what I promised. Come April 16, I will once again honor my promise and defeat Cunningham in spectacular fashion. Polish and American fans, be prepared for the return of Glowacki!”

“I’m ready to take this step up on my career. We are both putting our ‘0’s on the line and do what I’ve been taught to do,” said Browne. “This is the perfect time for this opportunity in my career and there is no better place than to do it at Barclays Center. To be able to win and make a statement on primetime TV from Barclays Center where it all really started for me will be a turning point and I can’t wait.”

“I am ready and excited to showcase my skills and power come April 16,” said Kalajdzic. “I am happy to be part of such a huge card and to have the opportunity to fight on NBC and show the world I am one of the best 175 pounders in boxing.”

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Star Boxing, start at $25, not including applicable fees, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, www.barclayscenter.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets will also be available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center on Wednesday, Feb. 24 at noon. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.

“Errol Spence may be the premier prospect in all of boxing,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “He will be tested by a resurgent former world champ, Chris Algieri. Chris nearly upset the applecart for Amir Khan. He looks to stop the rise of a young star and achieve a mega fight. Glowacki’s war with Huck was highlight reel stuff; another barnburner can be expected when he puts his title on the line against Steve Cunningham.”

“It’s great to be doing another event in Brooklyn at Barclays Center with Chris Algieri headlining on NBC,” said Joe DeGuardia, President of Star Boxing. “This marks the fourth appearance by Chris at the Barclays Center and I expect another exciting performance by Chris as he takes on the very dangerous and undefeated former U.S. Olympian, Errol Spence, on April 16.”

“We look forward to opening our 2016 PBC on NBC schedule in April with an exciting slate of primetime matches from Barclays Center in Brooklyn,” said Jon Miller, President of Programming for NBC and NBCSN.

“We are delighted to have Long Island’s Chris Algieri return to our ring where he won the fight of his career in 2014,” said Brett Yormark, CEO of Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment. “This card is going to produce another electric atmosphere at Barclays Center as we continue to make 2016 our biggest year yet for boxing.”

A member of the 2012 U.S. Olympic team who boasted a highly decorated amateur career, the 26-year-old Spence Jr.is set for the toughest test of his career as he enters the ring in his first primetime main event. Spence Jr. is widely regarded as a future star in the sport and was dominant in his previous PBC on NBC primetime appearance when he stopped Phil Lo Greco in the third round in June. His huge 2015 also included TKO victories over Chris van Heerden, Samuel Vargas and Alejandro Barrera and concluded with him being named ESPN’s Prospect of the Year.

Algieri rose to fame in June 2014 at Barclays Center when he upset Ruslan Provodnikov for a super lightweight world title. The 31-year-old returns to Brooklyn for his third consecutive fight after earning a unanimous decision over Erick Bone in December. The former kickboxing champion from Huntington, N.Y., built his boxing record on the strength of his excellent movement and skill with the jab. His victory over Provodnikov earned him a shot at Manny Pacquiao in Nov. 2014, a bout that Algieri lost. He had previously defeated strong contenders Mike Arnaoutis and Emanuel Taylor on the way to his world title and now seeks a title in the welterweight division.

Representing the great fight city of Philadelphia, Cunningham will look to put on a show in his Barclays Center debut. Twice a world champion as a cruiserweight, he defeated Krzysztof Wlodarczyk in 2006 to capture his belt before defending his title against Marco Huck via a twelfth-round TKO. He became a world champion again in 2010 when he stopped Troy Ross in the fifth round. The experienced veteran also owns victories over previously unbeaten fighters Amir Mansour and Natu Visinia and scored a knockdown of Tyson Fury in a losing effort during their 2013 bout.

Glowacki defends his world title for the first time after his sensational 2015 knockout of cruiserweight king Marco Huck in August 2015. The fighter out of Walcz, Poland will receive heavy support from the large Polish population in Brooklyn as he fights in the U.S. for the second time. Prior to his world title winning performance, he picked up victories over Nuri Seferi, Thierry Karl and Ismail Abdoul.

Browne has been very impressive since making his pro debut in November 2011 and the 25-year-old Staten Island-native put together a big 2015 with victories over Cornelius White and Aaron Pryor Jr. before he knocked out former world champion Gabriel Campillo in the first round in September and closed the year by stopping Francisco Sierra in December. Browne’s first primetime appearance will give him an opportunity to show off the lightning speed and impressive power.

Originally from Bosnia and Herzegovina but now training out of Saint Petersburg, Fla., Kalajdzic ended 2015 with first round stoppages of Fabio Garrido and Gilberto Matheus Domingos. The 24-year-old also owns victories over Otis Griffin, Donta Woods and Samson Onyango and will be fighting in New York for the first time as a pro.

Barclays Center’s BROOKLYN BOXING™ programming platform is presented by AARP. For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com and www.nbcsports.com/boxing, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @ErrolSpenceJr, @ChrisAlgieri, @USSCunningham, @Marcus_Browne, @LouDiBella, @StarBoxing, @NBCSports, @BarclaysCenter and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/NBCSports, www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment, www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter,
and www.Facebook.com/StarBoxing. Highlights available at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions. PBC on NBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

Antonio Tarver’s suspension for testing positive for a banned substance in his August bout against Steve Cunningham was upheld by the New Jersey Commission.

Tarver has continually and categorically denied using any substance.

“I’m here today to tell you I did nothing wrong for the Cunningham fight, and I’m not going to sit still and let these people destroy my life claiming I did something I did not do,” Tarver said after the hearing.

Tarver claimed somebody set him up but offered no names or evidence.

“It’s a frame job. I don’t know what or who’s behind this crap,” he said. “But all I know is I’m clean. I’m clean — period.”

TAMPA (Oct. 19, 2015) – Five-time world champion Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver (31-6-1, 22 KOs) vehemently refutes the results of his failed New Jersey Boxing Commission drug test taken prior to his 12-round draw with two-time IBF champion Steve “USS” Cunningham this past August 14th in Newark.

A report claims Tarver tested positive for synthetic testosterone. He categorically denies taking any banned substance before his fight with Cunningham. “I have no idea how my urine sample tested positive because I didn’t take anything illegal,” Tarver said. “Either the test was contaminated, or mixed-up with another sample. We believe in the process and I will fully comply. Further analysis will prove I’m 100-percent innocent because I’ve done nothing wrong.”

NEWARK–Former world champions Steve Cunningham and Antonio Tarver battled to a 12-round split draw at Prudential Center.

Scores were 115-113 for Cunningham, 115-114 Tarver and 114-114.

Cunningham, 204 lbs of Philadelphia is now 28-7-1. Tarver, 217 lbs of Tampa is 31-6-1.

Krzystof Glowacki scored a thrilling 11th round stoppage over long reigning champion Marco Huck to capture the WBO Cruiserweight championship.

Huck was buckled in round one from a right hook. In round six, Huck dropped Glowacki with a left hook to the side of the head. the remained of the round produced thrilling action that had both guys rocking each other for the final two minutes.

Glowacki’s right eye was cut at the end of round nine. In round eleven, Glowacki landed a thdding right hook that sent Hick sprawling on his back. With Huck visibly hurt, Glowacki jumped on Huck and landed a flurry of punches and referee David Fields stopped the bout at 2:39 of round 11.

Glowacki, 198 lbs of Walcz, POL is now 25-0 with 16 knockouts. Huck, 199 lbs of Berlin, GER is 38-3-1.

Kamil Lasczyk won an 8-round unanimous decision over Oscauris Frias in a battle of undefeated Featherweights.

Lasczyk a knockdown in round four and Frias was deducted a point for hitting after the bell of round three.

Lasczyk,North Bergen, NJ won by scores of 80-70 on all cards and is now 21-0. Frias, 131 lbs of Nagua, DR is 16-1.

Luis Rosa remained undefeated with a technical unanimous decision over Giovanni Caro in a scheduled 8-round Super Bantamweight bout.

Rosa of New Haven, CT won by scores of 60-55, 59-55 and 58-56 and is now 21-0. Caro of Mexico City is 24-17-4.

Jarrett Hurd scored a 7th round stoppage over Jeff Lentz in a scheduled 8-round Jr. Middleweight bout of undefeated fighters.

Hurd battered Lentz against the ropes until the bout was stopped at 2:59 of round seven.

Hurd of Accokeek, MD is 16-0 with 10 knockouts. Lentz of Lanoka Harbor, NJ is 5-1-1.

Mikkel LesPierre remained undefeated by scoring a 6-round unanimous decision over Kevin Womack Jr. in a Super Lightweight bout.

LesPierre of New York won by scores of 60-54 and 59-55 twice and is now 10-0. Womack of Baltomore is 7-7-3.

Artur Szpilka scored a 2nd round stoppage over Yasmany Consuegra in a scheduled 8-round Heavyweight bout.

Szpilka, 231 lbs of Wieliczka, POL is 20-1 with 15 knockouts. Consuegra, 230 lb of Miami is 17-2.

Maciej Sulecki scored a 1st round stoppage over Jose Rodriguez in a scheduled 8-round Super Middleweight bout.

Sulecki, 164 lbs of Warsaw, POL is now 20-0 with 6 knockouts. Rodriguez is 21-9.

Travis Kauffman scored a 1st round stoppage over Richard Carmack in a scheduled 8-round Heavyweight bout.

Kauffman dropped Carmack with a hard right hand for the the count at

Kauffman, 239 lbs of Reading, PA is now 29-1 with 21 knockouts. Carmack, 332 lbs of Kansas City is 13-7.

New York, NY (8/12/15) – This Friday night, undefeated super bantamweight contender Luis Rosa (20-0, 10KO’s) will look to provide some early fireworks when he squares off against Mexico’s Giovanni Caro (24-16-4, 19KO’s) on the undercard of PBC on Spike’s eagerly anticipated event at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. The card, headlined by former light heavyweight champion, and now heavyweight contender Antonio Tarver (31-6, 22KO’s) taking on fellow contender Steve Cunningham (28-7, 13KO’s), is set to kick off at 6 p.m. ET. Live coverage on Spike begins at 9 p.m. ET/PT with the American debut of cruiserweight kingpin Marco Huck (38-2-1, 26KO’s) squaring off against undefeated Polish contender Krzysztof Glowacki (24-0, 15KO’s).

The 24-year-old Rosa is one of the truly bright young stars on the loaded DiBella Entertainment (DBE) roster. Having turned pro at just 18 years of age, Rosa, who initially signed with DBE in 2010, has re-signed a long-term agreem

ent with promoter Lou DiBella, as he looks to become the next homegrown world champion to emerge from the DBE roster.

“I am glad to have re-signed with Lou (DiBella) and continue my career under the DBE banner. I am ready to put on a great show on Friday night. I have had another great camp and am in tremendous shape for this fight. I am excited and ready for another victory come Friday night. I want to thank God for the talent he has given me, and my team, and Lou for this opportunity,” said Rosa.

“Team Rosa is grateful, excited and dedicated to a successful relationship with DiBella Entertainment. We know re-signing was a great choice and we are confident that our future and venture together will be a victorious one. To God all the glory,” said mother and manager Marilyn Rosa.

“Luis Rosa has already proven that he is a serious contender in the junior featherweight division,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “I am very pleased to continue with our relationship. I expect big things from Rosa in the near future and I believe he is a future world champion.”

Already ranked number 15 in the WBC world ratings, Rosa has really come into his own over the past two years, which saw him gain massive exposure with three very impressive performances on national TV. In January of 2014, Rosa made his ESPN Friday Night Fights debut with a dominant and entertaining eight-round unanimous decision over contender Jorge Diaz. Rosa followed up that performance five months later in May with his most impressive victory to date, a 10-round unanimous decision against fellow highly regarded contender and former amateur standout Luis Orlando Del Valle. Rosa is coming off a fifth-round TKO victory, also on Friday Night Fights, over longtime contender Jonathan Perez in May of this year. Rosa knows that a world title opportunity is not too far off, but to continue in that direction, he must take care of business on Friday night against the heavy-handed Caro. The bout between Rosa and Caro is scheduled for eight rounds and will be one of the featured undercard bouts of the evening.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Warriors Boxing and Huck Sports Promotion are priced at $150, $100, $70 and $45, not including applicable service charges and are on sale now via Ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or any Ticketmaster outlet. Tickets may also be purchased at Prudential Center’s box office.

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.dbe1.com, www.PruCenter.com and www.spike.com/shows/premier-boxing-champions, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @AntonioTarver, @USSCunningham, @Szpilka_Artur, @LouDiBella, @PruCenter, @SpikeTV and @SpikeSports and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.Facebook.com/PruCenterand www.Facebook.com/Spike.

MIAMI (August 4, 2015) – Five-time world champion Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver (31-6, 22 KOs) will be looking through – not past – former two-time IBF champion Steve “USS” Cunningham (28-7, 13 KOs) on Friday night, Aug. 14, in their 12-round heavyweight showdown at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

WBA #9 Tarver vs. IBF #6/WBC #14 Cunningham is the main event on a Premier Boxing Champions series show airing live on Spike TV, the same network Tarver serves as its boxing color commentator.

Tarver is on a mission to become the oldest heavyweight champion of the world in boxing history. The 46-year-old southpaw realizes he has to get past Cunningham in order to get a world title shot against Wladimir Klitschko or Deontay Wilder.

“I respect Steve Cunningham,” Tarver explained. “I’m not looking past him, I’m looking through him. If I have to go through Wilder to get Klitschko, so be it. I’m getting that world heavyweight title and when I defeat Klitschko it’ll be the biggest story in sports. But I know that I won’t get my title shot unless I get by Cunningham.

“The ‘Magic Man’ is bringing 1000 tricks in his bag but it’s only going to take one to take him out. I’ve been working hard in training camp and he hasn’t been focused. Steve is a solid durable opponent who has proven himself in the heavyweight division, coming off a close eliminator that many thought he won. I have the test of fighting a guy who you can’t make quit, so you have to knock him out because he’s proven his heart and guts. Steve’s also motivated because he knows what beating me can do for his career.”

At 46 and a grandfather-to-be next month, Tarver realizes that he may not be the same fighter he was during a nine-fight stretch between 2002-2006, in which he was one of the world’s top pound-for-pound fighters, shocking Roy Jones, Jr. (see picture to the right) in two of three fights, splitting a pair with Glen Johnson, defeating Montell Griffin, Eric Harding and Reggie Johnson, and losing to Bernard Hopkins. Tarver, however, feels that his aforementioned experiences and overcoming so many struggles will be enough to take him back to the top of the boxing mountain.

“I learned the fundamentals of boxing and that’s why I’m still here at 46,” Tarver noted. “My whole game is built on deception because, by the looks of it, I’m not supposed to be as fast, as quick and strong, as tough, or hit as hard as I do. So, that makes it hard to prepare for the fighter like me. I am sure Cunningham may have prepared for a physical war but has he prepare for the mental part of our fight? He’ll be fighting in a ring full of mine fields, one wrong step and, Kaboom!”
Tarver and his head trainer, Orlando Cuellar, have been together a full year for what amounts to three training camps considering Tarver’s originally scheduled fight against Jonathan Banks was postponed several months due to Tarver’s broken hand, followed by his impressive seventh-round stoppage of Banks last December in his last fight.

“We know each other much better now in terms of how much to push him in camp and what to expect from each other,” Cuellar commented. “He may be 46 but he’s never been beat up. His ring savvy is off the charts and he’s knowledgeable. Antonio’s a sharp puncher and vicious competitor. He does exactly what I ask of him in the gym. I’ve come to realize that he doesn’t need 160-200 rounds of sparring for a fight. He remembers everything from his fights against so many great fighters, storing information in his mind to use in his fight. He outthinks his opponent. I watched him set things up and put it all together. Antonio is a special fighter, super intelligent, a breeze to work with and most capable in the ring. I’m blessed to be working with him.

“Cunningham is going to come in and apply pressure, but he’s never fought anybody as elusive and intelligent as Antonio, who can catch or slip, block or counter. He has so many tricks up his sleeve. Antonio is going to fight to his speed. Just when Cunningham thinks he has Antonio where he wants him, it’s going to be too late and Antonio is going to knockout Cunningham. Tarver is a much sharper puncher than people think. Like Antonio says, we’re not looking past Cunningham, we’re looking through him.”

www.OfficialAntonioTarver.com

@antoniotarver

Kelly Swanson
Thanks everybody for calling in. We’re excited today to be on the phone talking about a really excellent show headlined by Antonio Tarver versus Steve Cunningham also featuring the bout between Marco Huck and Krzysztof Glowacki. We are going to start with Huck and Glowacki.

This bout is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Warriors Boxing and Huck Sports Promotions. I’m going to turn this call over to Lou DiBella to make the official introductions for the call.

Lou DiBella
Thank you Kelly. I’m thrilled to be promoting this terrific event at Prudential Center for another PBC on Spike show. The PBC on Spike shows have been terrific so far. It’s a pleasure to be working with the Prudential Center. Sean Saadeh the Executive Vice President of Entertainment and Programming and his entire staff of the Prudential Center have been a pleasure to work with so far. This is the first major event I’ve ever worked with them on and it’s been great so far.

Once again great to be working with Spike their Senior Vice-President of Sports and Multi-Platform Programming is Jon Slusser. Their whole staff is great I’ve been very impressed with what Spike has done and with their on-air team I think is one of the best young energetic broadcast teams in boxing right now. Interestingly Antonio Tarver is part of that broadcast and he will be competing in the main event in a heavyweight bout against Steve “U.S.S.” Cunningham in a bout that I think is going to be terrific for fans and a must win fight for both guys.

But before we get into the main event, tickets for event are priced at $150, $100, $70 and $45 not including service charges. They’re available at Ticketmaster.com or charged by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or at any Ticketmaster outlet. They can also be purchased Prudential Center’s box office. The Spike telecast and PBC off site telecast will begin at 9 pm both Eastern Time and Pacific Time.

The opening bout is the terrific world championship cruiserweight battle between Marco “Captain” Huck who is 38-2-1 with 26 KOs who’s defending his supremacy of the cruiserweight division who’s not only is he a champion but really at the moment he is the dominant cruiserweight in the world against Krzysztof Glowacki who is 24-0 with 15 KOs. This is the US debut for Glowacki and also for Huck. I think this is a really great bout for boxing fans. Huck is really the king of the cruiserweights right now.

He’s also campaigned at heavyweight where he’s been able to compete effectively and he’s got his hands full with an undefeated opponent. For both Krzysztof and Marco this is their first fight on US soil and is the first opportunity to be televised in front of a huge audience on a prime time American television.

I’d like to ask the first question of both of them and I’ll start with Krzysztof, how have you prepared for this opportunity and what does it mean for you to make this first major fight on US soil and tell us a little bit more about your feelings about fighting in America for the first time. Krzysztof first.

Krzysztof Glowacki
I am very happy to fight in the United States. I’m very thankful to my promoters who gave me the chance to do it but I also did it myself winning elimination fights. I just hope that on August 14 I’m going to win. I’m going to bring the title back to Poland and Poland will have the new World Champion. I am very motivated for this fight I trained a long time. There are no injuries I am completing healthy so a great motivation before August 14.

Marco Huck
I’m very happy this is my first time in America boxing. I’m very much looking forward to the fight in America. It’s always been one of my biggest ambitions and career goals to fight over here and I’ve achieved pretty much everything that is in Europe. I also fought some Americans before and now I want to come over here to show the American people my skills over here and I’m just really looking forward and I’m excited for August 14.

L. DiBella
Thank you so much and I think this is great for boxing fans we get to see a fighter with quality of Marco Huck on PBC on Spike. Krzysztof is an undefeated hungry guy looking to bring the belt back to Poland. So I have a special thanks to Krzysztof’s promoters Warriors Boxing and my friend Leon Margules and to all the people who are with Huck’s promotional company.

I’m going to open it up for a couple of questions for each guy. We’re going to limit it to just to a couple of questions for each of these guys before we get on to the main event. So if you could please open it up for questions from the press.

Q
Marco you’re coming in probably better known but again as is said this is your first fight in the United States you’re fighting a younger undefeated guy who is a southpaw. Tell us what you think your advantages are in this fight?

M. Huck
My biggest advantage of all is I am Marco Huck. I have 13 title defenses against all the big names. I show them all what I am all about. He hasn’t really got that much experience I hear that he’s been talking himself up a bit lately. But a lot of people have done that before him and I will show him what the real deal actually is.

Q
Okay and question for Krzysztof similarly. This is in my opinion a step up for you fighting a championship fighter more experienced as he said. Tell us what you think your advantages are in this fight?

K. Glowacki
Marco just said that he basically has won everything, I think this is my strength because he’s got everything he wanted and I’m a more hungry a guy, a guy with bigger motivation versus the fighter who is basically achieved the maximum what he could achieve. So motivation and being hungry and hungrier will be a number one.

Q
Marco, I just wanted to know how long has it been in plan to come to the United States and why he felt now was the right time to make that happen?

M. Huck
I have been wanting to fight in the US for over ten years to be honest the problem was that I didn’t really have anyone by my side who could help me to achieve this dream. But now I found Lou DiBella whose experience is great and who can help me over here and help me with something that my former promoters weren’t able to do. I said already that I achieved everything in my career so far and now I get to achieve my debut in the US and I’m looking forward to this fight and for a long run over here in the United States.

Q
Is there any concern about having not fought in nearly a year?

M. Huck
There are no concerns whatsoever. I just started sparring and I actually was a bit surprised myself how good it was going and how my sparring partner was sent flying to the floor. I’m just really looking forward to getting back into the ring. I’m so motivated my motivation is bigger than ever before even in my previous fights even when I wasn’t that motivated I was still able to do what I have to do. I’m just looking forward to coming over here and do what I can do best. I really want to present myself to the American audience and I am convinced that I will have a popular style.

Q
Krzysztof is there any opponent that you feel has helped prepare you for this fight?

K. Glowacki
There’s only one Marco Huck so I did not fight anybody who is close to the style and the problems that Marco brings to the ring. But I fought very good fighters. Every fighter I fought was there and this is kind of verification for me if I am the guy to be our next World Champion and I hope I am and this is the time.

Q
Marco you fought Alexander Povetkin arguably the top two or three heavyweights in the world and it was a draw. A lot of people think you beat him. How long are you going to be staying a cruiserweight?

M. Huck
Everybody knows that I actually won the fight against Povetkin. Povetkin himself actually came to me after the fight and told me that he never wants to see me again. My ambition has always been to fight the best and also to fight the best in the heavyweight division. Looking at the division right now and just the fight of Wilder against Molina was actually embarrassing to be honest. But yes I want to go back to the heavyweight division in the future and take over there as I did in the cruiserweight division.

L. DiBella
Well thank you very much. Thanks very much gentlemen. One thing that I want to make clear by both fighters on this call, there is only one Marco Huck. He’s the dominant cruiserweight in the world he’s the guy that has the ability to challenge for a heavyweight championship and he’s going to be tested at the Prudential Center on PBC on Spike on August 14. I thank you both for joining us and look forward to seeing you in the states in the next few weeks. So thank you Marco thank you Krzysztof.

Our main event of the evening features two guys who are really well known to boxing fans Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver is 31-6 with 22 KOs and has worn a number of belts is now trying to fight his way to a shot at the heavyweight world championship and he has a very big obstacle in his way in Steve “U.S.S.” Cunningham. Steve’s record is 28-6 with 13 KOs but it’s a deceptive record because many of those seven losses should have gone the other way in my view.

Steve is a guy who’s one of the highest character people in all of boxing one of the most well respected by his peers by the press by the media by the fans because of the type of guy he is. He’s a family man, he’s a man of faith and he’s a guy that lays it all out in the ring. He’s never been in a bad fight and he’s never given anything but 110% and I’m proud to be able to promote a fight featuring Steve Cunningham. They will headline the evening in a 12-round heavyweight battle.

This is a match that both fighters must win. This is a must win fight if they’re going to continue at the highest levels of the heavyweight division Antonio and Steve don’t have a margin for error here. The winner will move on to a huge opportunity and the loser of this bout it’s a huge step back and maybe really the end of the line. So this is the kind of fight that figures to be a terrific match up and a must win fight that’s a recipe for a great fight.

Steve Cunningham
Thanks for having me, it’s a pleasure and honor to be here I’m working hard and going at it.

L. DiBella
Antonio Tarver is one of the biggest names in boxing for a long time. Antonio and I got to spend some time together because of the Rocky Balboa movie. He’s an actor and he’s a commentator for Spike now and one of the best in my view actually up and coming on air guys in boxing. Antonio I know you’re looking forward to this opportunity and you want that shot at a heavyweight title but you got to get through Mr. Cunningham. What do you have to say about that?

Antonio Tarver
Well it’s just like any fight I’ve had over the years. All of my fights have been huge fights. I can tell you I feel good going in. I’ve done the work. I haven’t underestimated Steve Cunningham at all. I have a great deal of respect for the man. His story with his daughter is really outstanding. But unfortunately we in the hurt business and this is boxing at the highest level and it’s all about opportunities.

There’s no fighter out there that has struggled and overcame like I have and it’s those struggles that are going to carry me through this fight and beyond. I hear his story and it’s heartfelt but the last three years of my life can’t nobody even comprehend. That’s what champions are made of. I truly believe God gives his toughest test to his strongest warriors and I’ve been tested and I’ve proven that I can go through and I can endure.

So this fight is going to be about who wants it most and that’s the bottom line because we both know how to pull our hands that’s not a doubt. But it’s going to come down to who want it most. He has a good distance, he’s long, he’s rangy and got good movement. He’s an active fighter. But at the same time, the boxing match within this boxing match is going to be a fight.

When the fight slows down, I’m going to be right there. I’m not going anywhere. He’s going to have to knock me out to take this victory from me. That’s the only way I’m going out there.

That’s the only way I’m losing is if I get knocked out because I’m in great shape. I’m ready to go. I know what this fight means to me, and the time is now.

I wanted a big name guy so that I could really put my skill on display. Steve Cunningham gives me the opportunity. I know he wants this fight bad; we both do. There can only be one winner.

I’m bringing it August 14. I’m ready to go. my sparring is going well, my training camp is going well. I have a great trainer in Orlando Cuellar who’s on the line as we speak.

So we’re just ready for August 14, and we’re going to set the Prudential Center on fire. We know we’ve got some foreigners that are going to be coming over and they may bring a lot of fans. But we’re going to bring the show. Don’t miss the Magic Show on August 14.

Q
Antonio, there are a lot of rumors that you’re looking past Mr. Cunningham and to the next big fight. Can you please shed some light on that?

A. Tarver
No man, I’m not, I’m a veteran. I’ve been around the game forever and a day. I’m not ever going to be that naïve to look past a credible fighter like Steve Cunningham. That would be dumb of me.

I’m not looking past him, but I’m a realist. I can see the future too. I’m a realist. I know what this fight means. I’m not looking past him. But I am looking through him. Straight through him. He’s transparent. I’m looking straight through Steve Cunningham; yes. I’m not looking past him but I’m looking through him.

Q
Any predictions for this fight at all champ?

A. Tarver
You’re going to see a well-conditioned Magic Man doing what he do best and that’s winning. That’s it. I mean I’m not going to have no predictions. I mean I know I’ve got my hands full. I’m going to have to bite down on that mouthpiece. I’m going to have to pull that cup up and I’ve going to have to dig to get Steve Cunningham out of there, man.

I’m ready for that. I’m preparing for that war, a battle of attrition; it’s going to be a hell of a fight.

I predict that this fight can be a candidate for fight of the year because I know what it’s going to have to take for me to get this victory. It’s going to have to take the old Magic Man. I’m going to have to show you glimpses of the old Magic Man with the things that I’m able to do in the right.

If it comes down to making adjustments, I’m going to be able to make those adjustments. If it comes down to getting inside and letting them rip, I’m going to be able to do that. If it comes down to making him miss and making him pay, I’m going to be able to do that.

I just believe in my skill and my ability man, even at the late age of 46. It’s just a blessing from God that I’m even still able to do it.

So I’m walking through my destiny knowing that it’s not an accident that I’m here today. It’s not an accident that I had to go through what I had to go through to get here.

This is a purpose and its destiny for me. Nothing is going to stop me. That’s bottom line. I can’t wait to see this shit unfold.

I’m ready you and excited that I’m back on national network TV; that I’m back at the top of the game and everybody is going to be able to see for themselves. After August 14 there won’t be no more doubt about what I can do and my capability at 46.

My skills haven’t eroded. My timing hasn’t eroded. My speed hasn’t eroded. I’m still here and that’s what I want to show the world on August 14, that they slept on the wrong man; period.

Q
A lot of people have you as the underdog in this fight, and want to see a Tarver-Deontay Wilder fight? Can you stop all that from happening?

S. Cunningham
I’ve been getting counted out since I started challenging for a world title. I’ve been traveling to Europe fighting in Poland where nobody wants to go. Fighting in Germany, successfully defending my title numerous times, where nobody wants to go. South Africa, where nobody wants to go. I could care less about what anybody says. When I fought Marco Huck I was the five to one underdog and they threw the towel in on him in the last round. So I can care less about what anyone says. I’ve got to question myself to Antonio Tarver. He’s speaking about his respect for me and there is respect for fighters regardless before and after the fight.

But a lot of people who know fighters, they know that at a certain point in training camp a fighter is agitated, he’s ready to fight, and it’s time to fight. I’ve been at that point, so I’m ready to fight right now.

He’s trying to compare life woes. My daughter’s struggle and the struggle he said he went through in the past three years. Look dude, you can keep all the woes. You can take my daughter’s woes. You can take your woes. I don’t want them. Nobody wants those woes. We can’t compare that. I’m not into comparing life woes.

Now you say your life was hard in the past three years and nobody could understand; nobody could fathom. Have you been driving that Bentley you bought after the Green fight?

You’ve been driving in a Bentley. You understand what I’m saying. Have you made over $500,000 in the last three years? I haven’t. I don’t have a Bentley and beating you is going to get me that; you understand.

So don’t try to compare nothing that you’ve been through that will not stand up to a damn thing Steve Cunningham has been through in his whole career.

A. Tarver
With all due respect, I think you kind of misinterpreted what I was saying. I know we both got struggles and I respect that. And no, my struggles may not be personal like yours, family oriented, and I respect that too.

But what I’m saying that the struggle that I had to overcome to get back to where I’m at right now today. After I got suspended, I can just talk all day about it. Losing my job; losing the opportunity to commentate in the Olympics; that meant a lot to me.

S. Cunningham
But listen, we can go all day. We could trade back and forth all day like baseball cards. You had troubles; I had troubles.

A. Tarver
No income. I didn’t make no income.

S. Cunningham
We’re going to get in the ring and match skills. I don’t want to hear about your woes. I’m actually sick about talking about my daughter’s situation because it’s out there.

A. Tarver
But look dude, I’m just giving – I’m giving you the utmost respect on that because I’d understand if it was my daughter, I understand that’s out of our control.

S. Cunningham
Well this is another question I have for you then. Where does all this utmost respect come from? A few years ago it was all, who are you. You’re nobody. Come on man, let’s keep it real. No Tarver, let’s keep it real.

A. Tarver
I keep it real.

S. Cunningham
I’m not one of these smart-ass, trash talkers who can run they mouth and get themselves into some money. I fight to get my money, you understand? So you’re that dude who runs his mouth so much. You’re a professional mouth-runner.

Yes you’re a great fighter but then you’re also a professional mouth-runner. I’m a professional fighter, period. You understand? I’m not jumping in the ring on August 14 to beat the hell out of Antonio Tarver. Do you understand?

A. Tarver
Hey, that’s your mission. That’s everybody’s mission. But at the same time, I don’t understand where you’re coming from because I’ve been as quiet as I’ve ever been before a fight. I haven’t really been digging at you about nothing. I’m giving you the utmost respect because I know you’re a warrior. I know you’re coming to win, and I know I’ve got my hands full. That’s why I’m busting my ass in training camp.

If you ask me, I think you’re taking me lightly. You’re overlooking me. How in the hell you going to break camp and go to Vegas and commentate, like you’ve got it easy. You feel me? I wouldn’t break camp for you, but you going to break camp for me? Good luck August 14.

S. Cunningham
If you think me going to commentate for two days is breaking camp…

A. Tarver
You got a problem. You’re out your rabbit ass mind. You going to fly to Vegas and think you going to beat me August 14, you crazy. You out your mind. You distracted.

S. Cunningham
I was ready to fight when they announced it. Do you understand me?

A. Tarver
You don’t know what’s coming at your ass August 14. You playing.

S. Cunningham
Distracted? There’s no such thing as a distraction.

A. Tarver
You playing with it. I ain’t Marco Huck. When I knocked Danny Green out, none of them clowns wanted to fight me. I ain’t Marco Huck.

S. Cunningham
When you start looking like him in the 12th, then think about that.

A. Tarver
Whatever. Hey, enjoy your weekend in Vegas, bro. I’m going to be in camp. Putting on the fine touches – putting on the final touches to this great training camp I’ve had.

S. Cunningham
I’m going to enjoy it. I’m going to drink a beer. Man you going to be putting on final touches for a long time fat boy.

A. Tarver
Go to Vegas.

S. Cunningham
You need to be in camp for seven, eight, nine weeks.

A. Tarver
Ain’t nothing fat about me. Ain’t nothing fat about me, I’m just not a muscular toned guy. I knocked a lot of them out though. I’ve knocked a lot of muscular men out. Them the easiest muscles to box.

S. Cunningham
August 14. That’s it.

A. Tarver
Muscles ain’t never whipped me. I can’t believe you so irate.

S. Cunningham
I’ll see you August 14, my man.

A. Tarver
I ain’t even did nothing psychological. I ain’t even got to play the psychological game. Your mind is already gone. Your mind already blown. Just the thought of August 14, so it’s going to be easy pickings.

S. Cunningham
There’s no way in God’s green earth you could ever, ever attack me psychologically. I’m a war tested as a veteran of this country.

Q
I don’t know if you saw that fight, but tell me what you think at this point today, your advantages are over Steve given he’s proven himself in the heavyweight and other divisions.

A. Tarver
I wouldn’t say any advantage or anything. It’s just going to be two men in there and we’ve got to fight. I stand on my experience. I stand on everything I’ve accomplished in boxing. And I’m saying, whatever goes on in the fight, I’m going to figure it out between the 12 rounds. That’s what I’m saying.

I’m going to figure it out and I’m going to do what I’ve got to do to get the win. That’s all I’m saying. I’ve got the utmost respect for Steve and I keep saying that. Man this is one fight I don’t even have to be mad or even have to have no personal feelings towards nobody. This is just a fight that we’re in. It’s a business.

I’m not taking this personal, but I’ve got my work to do because I’ve got big dreams.

Ain’t nobody going to out-box me, period. The only way you’re going to beat me is to knock me out and that’s it. He got an opportunity to do that. That’s it. We’re going to fight and that’s the bottom line.

I ain’t got to cut no weight. I’m feeling strong. I don’t have the problems I had at light heavyweight. So I’m at my best and bringing it, period.

I’ve got the best defense in the game so, how are you going to hit me? I see it coming a mile away. Come on man.

The bottom line, I’m gone have to close my eyes for this guy to hit me because he ain’t going to be able to hit me with that basic stuff. You ain’t fighting no average fighter, you fighting an exceptional fighter dude.

You ain’t faced nobody like me. I don’t care nothing about all them European you’ve fought. I’m the Magic Man. I’ve got a thousand tricks up my sleeve and you it ain’t gone take but one to get your ass out of there, period.

S. Cunningham
You sound like you’re getting yourself up for the fight right now. Like you’re a hype man.

A. Tarver
I’m keeping it 100 with you Steve. I’m keeping it 100 with you boy.

S. Cunningham
Keep it 100 with me and let’s have this out.

A. Tarver
All the rest of the those guys you fought are basic robotic standup fighters.

Q
Speak on Tarver as you see the more fights that you watch, what the apparent weaknesses of Antonio Tarver?

S. Cunningham
The strength of Antonio Tarver is steroid use. Weakness is his mouth.

A. Tarver
Now that’s the most disrespectful thing. Because someone say you failed the test, that don’t mean nothing. You can go to GNC and get whatever you want. It may not be NFS certified.

But I spent my year. I did my time and that’s it. That’s behind me. That ain’t got nothing to do with right now. You looking for excuses already. Ain’t no steroids in my system bro. I don’t need no steroids. Never have, period.

S. Cunningham
The question was for me, now let me get my time.

A. Tarver
So I just don’t understand why you trying to shoot low. I can get off the phone man. I’ll see you August 14. I ain’t got time to go through this with you.

S. Cunningham
Bye. Bye.

A. Tarver
I ain’t got time to do this with you. Because that stuff you talking is beneath me.

S. Cunningham
I’ll see you in a few weeks, bro. See you.

A. Tarver
Beneath me.

S. Cunningham Bye, hang up.

Q
Tarver, one question for you big man. Now, what’s the strengths and weaknesses of Mr. Cunningham?

A. Tarver
Man his weakness is me. He fighting me. That’s his weakness. He ain’t got no weakness as far as boxing is concerned. He’s a complete fighter. He has the heart, he has the durability; he’s a strong fighter. He’s going to be there to win but he’s fighting me. That’s the difference from everybody else he’s ever fought, he’s fighting me; period. A hungry, determined, focused Magic Man.

S. Cunningham
But how you hungry and you driving Bentleys? How you hungry and you making over $500,000 a year? I ain’t see those numbers yet bro.

A. Tarver
I’m going to tell you because I’m not a prize fighter. I don’t fight for the money, I fight for pride. I fight for the glory of the game. It ain’t about no money. I make money. It ain’t about that. It’s about my name, it’s about my history.

This Hall of Fame run – this Hall of Fame run that I want to put the final chapter on my career. That’s it. It’s bigger than money Steve. It’s bigger than money.

Q
Antonio, is there anyone in particular that you would want to face, higher than your ranking, if you beat Cunningham.

A. Tarver
I want to face Wilder and Klitschko. I ain’t got nothing else to prove man. I’m going to prove it August 14. They know who I am. I’ve got five championships to my name. I don’t have to prove nothing. They know who I am and they know when I’m ready to fight, I’m going to tough out for anybody.

So I ain’t got time to be fighting all these non-descript fighters. I ain’t worried about ranked above me because my name carry weight. My name carry weight and that’s it.

Whatever I do on August 14, my next goal is to become the Heavyweight Champion because it ain’t nobody on they resume that they’ve faced that can add up to my name and my credibility in the game of boxing.

Not none of them guys that ain’t never won anything in they whole career. So I rest my case. August 14 everybody can see where I’m at. After that I want to chop down one of these giants and that’s it, period.

Q
Steve, can you tell the viewers honestly, what weaknesses do you see in Antonio Tarver that you think you can exploit on August 14.

S. Cunningham
The good thing about fighting a guy like Tarver is you – if you think you see a weakness than you’re fooling yourself. Like I said before in the beginning, respect is there most definitely. But fighting is fighting and getting prepared for a fight is mental and physical.

So our banter back and forth, that’s what fighters do also. But there’s no way I would disrespect myself to sit there and say that’s a weakness we’re going to exploit on Tarver. We’re going to beat him. You understand what I’m saying?

I mean and his strengths, like he said, he’s five time world champion. He’s a Fall of Famer already. He’s a great fighter. I think he’s a great fighter.

L. DiBella
I’ve got to say, I’ve got a lot of these calls. And the last 20 minutes or so were about the chippiest I’ve ever heard. So I think we’ve got a war ahead of us in the right on August 14, PBC on Spike, 9:00 Eastern Time; 9:00 Pacific Time. Tickets for the event are priced at $150, $100, $70, $45. Ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster outlets, Prudential Center.

Hope to see you in Jersey. If we don’t see you in Jersey, tune in to Spike and this is going to be a great card. Thanks everyone for joining us. See you on August 14.

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.dbe1.com, www.PruCenter.com and www.spike.com/shows/premier-boxing-champions, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @AntonioTarver, @USSCunningham, @Szpilka_Artur, @LouDiBella, @PruCenter, @SpikeTV and @SpikeSports and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxing, www.Facebook.com/PruCenterand www.Facebook.com/Spike.

“You’re overlooking me…I wouldn’t break camp, but you’re breaking camp for me. Good luck August 14. You’re crazy. You’re out of your mind.” – Tarver to Cunningham

“A few years ago, you were calling me a ‘nobody.’ Let’s keep it real. You’re a professional mouth-runner. I’m a professional fighter…period.” – Cunningham to Tarver

New York (July 23, 2015) – Former world champions Antonio Tarver and Steve Cunningham exchanged heated words today on a routine media conference call that escalated into a back-and-forth dialogue about mutual respect and ring generalship.

Both Tarver and Cunningham joined the call at minute 20:51 (MP3 linked above) following a much friendlier media Q&A featuring the televised undercard fighters Marco Huck and Krzysztof Glowacki.

The call became escalated between the two main event stars with the first media question and continued for nearly 20 minutes.One thing is for sure, there will be fireworks at the Prudential Center on August 14 live on PBC on Spike.

Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver (31-6, 22 KOs) and Steve “U.S.S.” Cunningham (28-7, 13 KOs) headline the event with their 12-round heavyweight battle. Televised coverage on Spike begins at 9 p.m. ET/PT when Marco Huck (38-2-1, 26 KO) defends his cruiserweight world title against Krzysztof Glowacki (24-0, 15 KOs).

Undercard action begins at 6:00 p.m. ET with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. ET.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Warriors Boxing and Huck Sports Promotion are priced at $150, $100, $70 and $45, not including applicable service charges and are on sale now viaTicketmaster.com, charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or any Ticketmaster outlet. Tickets may also be purchased at Prudential Center’s box office.

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.dbe1.com, www.PruCenter.com andwww.spike.com/shows/premier-boxing-champions, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @AntonioTarver, @USSCunningham, @Szpilka_Artur, @LouDiBella, @PruCenter, @SpikeTV and @SpikeSports and become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/PremierBoxing, www.Facebook.com/PruCenter and www.Facebook.com/Spike.

PHILADELPHIA (July 22, 2015) – Two of Philadelphia’s top fighters held a media workout Tuesday as Danny “Swift” Garcia (30-0, 17 KOs)and Steve “U.S.S.” Cunningham (28-7, 13 KOs) prepared for their respective Premier Boxing Champions headlining events in August.

Garcia, who was joined by his father and trainer Angel, will be looking for his record fifth main event victory at Barclays Center on Saturday, August 1 when he takes on former world champion, Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi (33-6, 7 KOs) in a 12-round welterweight battle on Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN at 9:00 p.m. ET/6 :00 p.m. PT.

Cunningham, a two-time world champion trained by Naazim Richardson, is set for a 12-round heavyweight showdown with former light heavyweight world champion Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver (31-6, 22 KOs) on Premier Boxing Champions on Spike taking place Friday, August 14 at 9 p.m. ET/PT from Prudential Center in Newark.

Tickets for the August 1 event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Swift Promotions, are priced at $250, $150, $120, $75 and $45, not including applicable service charges and taxes, and are on sale now. Tickets are available at www.barclayscenter.com, www.ticketmaster.com and at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. To charge by phone, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. For group tickets, please call 855-GROUP-BK.

Tickets for the August 14 event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, are $150, $100, $70 and $45, not including applicable service charges and facility fee and are on sale now via Ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or any Ticketmaster outlet. Tickets may also be purchased at Prudential Center’s box office.

Here is what the fighters and their trainers had to say Wednesday:

DANNY GARCIA

“There’s no reason to go back in my career. The sky is the limit. It’s 147 for me now. I definitely feel a lot stronger.

“I’m able to work on things now later in camp. Before I would just be coming in to lose weight. Now I’ve had great nutrition throughout camp. My legs are there and I’m faster. It’s all going to fall into place on August 1.

“I’m not really concerned about Paulie, at this point in my career if I’m 110% percent ready, I feel like I can adapt to anything and find a way to win.

“I couldn’t cut the ring off the way I wanted to at 140. Now I have more agility and I can really corner people, use the jab and control the fight.

“My weight is great. I’ve been really disciplined with what I eat. I’m staying sharp and building muscle. I believe I could have been a welterweight two years ago.

“He’s from Brooklyn, I’m from Philly. The fight makes perfect sense. All the Italian fans, the Puerto Rican fans will be coming in to see a great fight. He’s a former 147-pound champion, it’s going to be a great fight.

“There’s no pressure on me. I just want to go in there and be Danny Garcia, a smart Danny Garcia.

“I feel like my style matches up great with anybody at 147. I’m ready for Paulie Malignaggi. I know he’s coming into his hometown. It’s a big fight for him so I just have to be completely ready.

“I moved up to 147 to fight the best fighters. Whatever the best fights are, that’s what I want.

STEVE CUNNINGHAM

“When we were offered this fight, we took it right away. Not that I think It’s going to be easy, because no fight is easy until you go in there and make it look easy.

“I’m going to do what I do. I put in the work in the gym and then I do work in the ring. The fans are going to enjoy what they see and we’re going to come out victorious.

“All I know is my situation. My back is against the wall. I want to be the heavyweight world champion and I want to be great in the sport. Fighting guys like this and beating them is what makes me great. Even as a two-time champion, my back has always been against the wall.

“There’s so much talent in Philadelphia, there has been for generations. You come to the city and see the stars. Philly is a rough city, it’s a tough hardcore city and you need to be cut from a special cloth to come out of the city and be successful.

“People came together for a cause to try and help my family. The boxing community got us to Pittsburgh in time for my daughter Kennedy to get her heart transplant. Indebted doesn’t event match how we feel, I owe the boxing community everything and I wish I could pay them back double. What I can do is continue to stay in shape and prepare right and give everyone the fights that they want to see.
[On his 9-year-old daughter Kennedy’s heart transplant which took place seven months ago in Pittsburgh]

“We’re going to take everything we’ve done in past camps and fine-tune it for this fight. Naazim has the plan and we’re going to execute it. It’s not just going to be outworking him, I’m a veteran too. I’ve been in the lion’s den and won.

“I don’t underestimate anybody. I just prepare and we’re prepared for the best Antonio Tarver we’ve ever seen.”

ANGEL GARCIA, Danny Garcia’s Father & Trainer

“Danny’s going to be ready on August 1 to show the world that he’s ready. The power is there. He’s coming like a lion in the night. He’s going to eat everybody up at 147.

“At the end of the day, you gotta fight. He’s not going to win running around. We’re coming to smash you.”

NAAZIM RICHARDSON, Cunningham’s Trainer

“With Steve you have to gauge the camp differently. He comes into camp in such good shape; he lives it because he’s in this shape year round.

“He’s in such good shape, he throws your timing off. There are things that you want to do, but you don’t have to because he’s there. He’s already looking very good in camp.”

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.barclayscenter.com, www.PruCenter.com, www.dbe1.comand www.spike.com/shows/premier-boxing-champions. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @DannySwift, @PaulMalignaggi, @AntonioTarver, @USSCunningham, @LouDiBella, @ESPNBoxing, @BarclaysCente,@PruCenter, @SpikeTV and @SpikeSport and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/fanpagedannyswiftgarcia, www.facebook.com/PaulMalignaggi, www.facebook.com/barclayscenter,www.facebook.com/ESPN , www.Facebook.com/PruCenterand www.Facebook.com/Spike.
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