PHILADELPHIA (July 2, 2021)–Current WBO Middleweight champion Demetrius Andrade takes on Vanes Martiroysan for the WBO Junior Middleweight World Title, tonight on the next installment of Classic Fight Night on fubo Sports Network.

Andrade (19-0) met Martiroysan (33-0-1) on November 9, 2013 at The American Bank Center in Corpus Christie, Texas. This title fight was a battle of former United States Olympians, with the winner reaching a coveted goal of becoming a world champion.

Watch what happened in this world title showdown at 8 PM ET.
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Former super welterweight world contender Vanes Martirosyan of Glendale, Calif., is the first standout to join International Championship Boxing, promoter of the revolutionary and exciting new combat sport that features boxing in a cage.

“Vanes is not just the first to sign a multi-bout, multi-year agreement with ICB, but he’s also the first of several,” says Jack Fulton, founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Virginia-based ICB.

“We are in discussions with many boxers, mixed martial artists and kickboxers, and some of the names definitely would surprise,” says Fulton.
“It’s more than interest, it’s enthusiasm to box in ‘The Fight Zone’ says Fulton. “We’ve struck a chord with boxers and MMA fighters, and it’s resonating.”
The 32-year-old Martirosyan, originally from Armenia, has a record of 36-4-1 with 21 knockouts.

Martirosyan’s most recent bout was against Gennady Golovkin on May 5 for “GGG’s” World Boxing Association and the World Boxing Council middleweight championships, a fight he took on three-week notice.

Martirosyan had two previous title bouts, one for the WBA super welterweight crown and another for the World Boxing Organization super welterweight championship.

Martirosyan’s first bout in the ICB cage will be during the first quarter of 2019.
“I was surprised when I heard about boxing in a cage, but at the same time I was real happy,” says Martirosyan. “The idea is just amazing. Fans are going to love it.

“I’m going to be a nightmare in the cage,” says Martirosyan. “It’s easier to cut off the cage in a dog fight, and I’m an action fighter; I do bring the action.

“I challenge all fighters in the world, boxing or MMA, to come into the cage with me, and I’ll show them what real fighting is all about,” says Martirosyan.
“Vanes and his team are excited to be part of this new and unique concept for boxing,” says his manager, Vince Carthron.

“It’s a format just made for Vanes, and we are delighted to be there at the beginning and helping to build it,” says Carthron. “It’s good for boxing fans, and it’s good for Vanes.”

It took Fulton almost two years to get the cage designed, built, patented and approved by boxing and athletic commissions within the United States, including the state of Nevada.

An 18 year veteran promoter of the sport, through the years Fulton began to realize the sport needed something new, something fresh. And in 2016 he did something about it.

“The sport of boxing needed something revolutionary, and this is it,” says Fulton.

“The ICB cage better assures toe-to-toe, non-stop action, something that’s appealing to both boxing and mixed martial arts fans, and to the new hybrid athlete that’s proficient in more than one combat sport”

“We have no doubt ICB boxing in the cage will engage all ring sports fans,” says Fulton. “‘This is boxing for a new generation, a generation that has grown up watching combat sport in a cage. And that’s the main reason we conceived, created and now launched the ICB. It will re-energize boxing fans and bring MMA fans who prefer stand-up striking.”

“Vanes gets it; he sees the future and the opportunity,” says Fulton. “The ICB cage doesn’t force a boxer or an MMA fighter to make a choice; it offers them flexibility.”

LOS ANGELES (May 8, 2018) — He came, He saw, He conquered. And he did it Mexican Style! Refusing to let boxing be held hostage on its biggest day, Cinco De Mayo, undefeated World Middleweight Champion GENNADY “GGG” GOLOVKIN’s Big Drama Show made a triumphant return to HBO. Last Saturday, in his first non-pay-per-view event since 2016. Golovkin (38-0-1 34 KOs), from Karaganda, Kazakhstan, currently boxing’s longest-reigning world champion (since 2010), defended his title for the 20th consecutive and division-record-tying time. Saturday’s victim was fellow 2004 Olympian and three-time world title challenger Vanes “The Nightmare” Martirosyan (36-4-1, 21 KOs), from Glendale, Calif., who was counted out in the second round of their battle at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. It was the first time Martirosyan had ever been stopped. The Golovkin vs. Martirosyan main event registered 1,249,000 viewers and peaked at 1,361,000 viewers, according to data from Nielsen Media Research. Those figures make Golovkin vs. Martirosyan the No. 1-rated cable fight for 2018 and the top-rated premium cable fight since 2016 — Golovkin’s title defense against Dominic Wade — which took place at The Fabulous Forum in Inglewood, Calif.

The opening bout — HBO’s first-ever telecast of a women’s fight live on the service — averaged a sensational 904,000 viewers. The 10-round unanimous decision victory by World Female Welterweight Champion Cecilia Braekhus (33-0, 9 KOs), from Norway, boxing’s only undisputed world champion, over former WBC middleweight champion Kali Reis (13-7-1, 4 KOs), from Providence, Rhode Island, peaked at 1,024,000 viewers. Even more impressive, Braekhus’ debut was the second-highest-rated fight on HBO this year.

“Gennady Golovkin may be the champion of the middleweight division but he delivers knockout ratings with a heavyweight punch,” said Golovkin’s promoter Tom Loeffler. “Gennady continues to rack up the records, Not only did he tie Bernard Hopkins’ consecutive title defense record, it took Gennady two less years to accomplish that feat. Gennady also added two more StubHub Center milestones to his long list of accomplishments. In addition to owning the boxing attendance record at StubHub Center, which he set in 2014 against Marco Rubio, he also shattered the venue’s record for the highest-grossing boxing event and merchandise sales on Saturday night. That makes Gennady a StubHub Center Triple Crown winner! Besides StubHub Center, the Big Drama Show has sold out many of the most iconic arenas, including The Forum, Madison Square Garden and the O2 Arena. Make no mistake, this is just the beginning. Gennady is ready to return to the ring as soon as it can be scheduled.”

CARSON, Calif. – It was a quick thank you. Gennady Golovkin delivered it efficiently, precisely and exactly as promised.

Vanes Martirosyan never had a chance. He was just there, like a Cinco De May piñata, or perhaps a billboard targeted to carry a message for who was supposed to be there instead, but wasn’t because of two positive PED tests in February.

Was suspended Canelo Alvarez watching? Who knows? If he was, he didn’t have to watch for long. GGG (38-0-1, 34 KOs) didn’t waste much time. It probably took him longer to finish his entrance, which took him around the ring and to his corner in a walk that allowed him to wave to as many of the 7,837 fans at StubHub Center as possible.

It took him less than two rounds to finish Martirosyan, a huge underdog who actually surprised him in the opening round. Martirosyan (36-4-1, 21 KOs) landed early, landed late. On the 15 Rounds card, he was leading, 10-9, after the first three minutes.

The next 113 seconds, however, were a very different story. GGG, awakened and energized, went to work in a fashion as ruthless as it was sudden. A big left hand started it. Then, there were at least three successive jabs. A couple of more lefts followed. Martirosyan was down, his face on the canvas. He tried to get up, but fell forward. Referee Jack Reiss immediately and wisely wave it off. GGG had his 34th knockout and a 20th straight defense of two of middleweight titles, tying a record held by Brnard Hopkins.

“I want everybody,’’ GGG said when asked who he would like to fight next.

Next, of course, begged the inevitable question:

Canelo?

“Absolutely,’’ he said.

But that’s a rich rematch that still has to negotiated and those talks figure to be a lot more difficult than the GGG fight Saturday night was.

But for one night, he had a reason to celebrate and thank his Southern California fan base. Along the way, he also got some appreciation form another one of South California fans. Martirosyan knew he had power. But feeling it was something else.

“It was like being hit by a train,’’ he said. “Not just one punch. All of his punches.’’

In a controversial welterweight fight, women’s champion Cecilia Braekhus (33-0, 9 KOs) survived a knockdown for a unanimous decision over tough Kali Reis (13-7-1, 4 KOs).

Best Of The Undercard

Kazakh junior-welterweight Ruslan Madiyev (12-0, 5 KOs) warmed up the ring for Golovkin, his fellow countryman and stablemate, with a sudden burst of energy and power over the last couple of rounds for a furious finish to a unanimous decision over Jesus Perez (22-1,16 KOs) of Tijuana.

The Rest

Cleveland prospect Ryan Martin (22-0, 12 KOs), looking more comfortable and powerful at 140 pounds, overcame a point penalty for low blows in the fourth and went on to a unanimous decision over Breidis Prescott (31-12, 22 KOs), a one-hit wonder still remembered for knocking out Amir Khan.

New York welterweight Brian Ceballo (2-0, 1 KO) employed patience and precision throughout four one-sided rounds for a unanimous decision over Nam Phan (3-6, 2 KOs) of Grand Garden, Calif.

Los Angeles junior-flyweight Jesse Rodriguez (6-0, 4 KOs) opened the show with a blinding succession of punches, including a head-rocking left for a third-round stoppage of Armando Vasquez (25-22-1, 7 KOs) of Mexicali.

Follow all the action as world Middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin depends his title against Vanes Martirosyan.  The action kicks off at 11 PM ET / 8 PM PT with the 1st ever Female bout on HBO as Cecilia Braekhus takes on Kali Reis in a welterweight title bout.

NO BROWSER REFRESH NEEDED.  THE PAGE WILL UPDATE AUTOMATICALLY

Round 1: Jab from Martirosyan..Left hook from Golovkin..hard left from Martirosyan

Round 2 Hard right from Golovkin..Hard uppercut..Right from Martirosyan..Hard left hook from Golovkin..3 lefts and DOWN GOES MARTIROSYAN..HE DOES NOT GET UP …FIGHT OVER

Round 1 Reis lands a left hook…

Round 2 Reis lands a combination..Solid right from Braekhus

Round 3 Good right from Braekhus..Reis lands a right..Good right from Braekhus..

Round 4 Good combination from Braekhus..

Round 5 Combination and left from Braekhus..

Round 6 Brakehus lands a good left hook..Good right from Reis..Reis bleeding from the nose..Good right from Reis

Round 7 BIG RIGHT AND DOWN GOES BRAEKHUS…

Round 8 Good left hook from Braekhus..quick left hook on the inside.Body shots..1-2..Good right from Braekhus…Big right from Reis drives Braekhus back

Round 9 Good right from Reis..Right

Round 10 Good right from Braekhus..Uppercut..Body shot from Reis..Good right from Braekhus..

Braekhus outlanded Reis 115-78

97-92, 96-93 TWICE FOR CECILIA BRAEKHUS

https://www.facebook.com/360BoxingPromos/videos/726976301025017/

LONDON (3 May, 2018) – Pound-for-pound star Gennady Golovkin’s ring return this Saturday night against Vanes Martirosyan will be shown live and exclusive on BoxNation.

The unified middleweight world champion Golovkin will put his WBC and WBA belts on the line against the man known as ‘The Nightmare’ at the StubHub Center in Carson, California.

The bout was quickly arranged following the suspension of Golovkin’s Mexican nemesis Canelo Alvarez after he tested positive for the banned substance clenbuterol which saw their eagerly anticipated Las Vegas rematch cancelled.

Now, though, live and exclusive on BoxNation, UK and Ireland boxing fans will be able to see one of the sport’s most exhilarating fighters in action this weekend as he looks to defend his middleweight titles successfully for the 20th time, a feat previously accomplished only by Hall-of-Famer Bernard Hopkins.

Despite going in as the underdog against the Kazakh, 31-year-old Martirosyan has already shared the ring with some accomplished names including Erislandy Lara and Jermell Charlo and will be seeking a title for the third time.

“Vanes Martirosyan is now the most important fight of my career. He has my respect, and I have been training hard to defend my titles against him,” Golovkin said. “I am happy to be fighting at the StubHub Center because they have great boxing fans. I will give my fans another big drama show.”

“Gennady has had such a terrific training camp in Big Bear. It wouldn’t be fair to him to let it go to waste just because Canelo was being punished,” Golovkin’s trainer Abel Sanchez added. “Gennady is going to light up Cinco De Mayo as only a true Mexican-style fighter can. I can’t wait to unleash him.”

Even though he will be moving up to 160-pounds for the first time, the younger Martirosyan believes it will be a huge boost for him going into the fight.

“I always fought better at higher weight classes,” Martirosyan said. “Whenever there was a catchweight in my career, I always did better. So I think it’s going be good because I don’t have to kill myself to make weight.”

Jim McMunn, BoxNation Managing Director, said: “Gennady Golovkin always guarantees excitement and devastating knockout power. We are very pleased to be showcasing him once again live and exclusive on BoxNation this Saturday night against Vanes Martirosyan. Martirosyan might be seen as the underdog but many times in the past we have seen fighters written off and underestimated only for them to produce a shock. Golovkin cannot be careless going into this fight but no matter how it plays out he is sure to produce fireworks that will have fans on the edge-of-their-seats.”

BoxNation is available on Sky/Freeview/Virgin/TalkTalk/EE/Apple TV/ online at watch.boxnation.com, via apps (iOS, Android, Amazon) and TV Player for just £12 a month. Buy now at boxnation.com.

– ENDS –

About BoxNation

BoxNation, the Channel of Champions and proud partner of Rainham Steel, is the UK’s first dedicated boxing channel. From £12* per month with no minimum term customers can enjoy great value live and exclusive fights, classic fight footage, magazine shows and interviews with current and former fighters.

Previous highlights have included Haye vs Chisora, Mayweather vs Maidana, Saunders vs Eubank Jr and Canelo vs Golovkin.

The channel is available on Sky (Ch.427), Freeview (Ch.255), Virgin (Ch.546), TalkTalk (Ch.415), TV Player, online at watch.boxnation.com and via apps (ios, Android, Amazon, Apple TV). BoxNation is also available in high definition on Sky (Ch. 490), at no extra cost to Sky TV subscribers, providing they are already HD enabled.

Available on selected internet-connected Freeview products only, subject to coverage. Visit freeview.co.uk/availability.

BoxNation is also available to commercial premises (inc. pubs, clubs and casino’s) in the UK and Ireland, for more information on a commercial subscription please call 0844 842 7700.

For more information visit www.boxnation.com

*Plus £8 registration fee for Sky TV customers

It’s a night for the record books when HBO Sports presents WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING: GENNADY GOLOVKIN VS. VANES MARTIROSYAN AND CECILIA BRAEKHUS VS. KALI REIS, to be seen SATURDAY, MAY 5 at 11:00 p.m. (live ET/tape-delayed PT) from StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., exclusively on HBO. The HBO Sports team will call the action, which will be available in HDTV, closed-captioned for the hearing-impaired and presented in Spanish on HBO Latino.

Undefeated middleweight titleholder Gennady Golovkin (37-0-1, 33 KOs) from Karaganda, Kazakhstan, now living in Los Angeles, takes on Vanes Martirosyan (36-3-1, 21 KOs) from Abovyan, Armenia, now living in Glendale, Calif., in a 12-round championship bout.

Golovkin, 36, looks to defend his middleweight title successfully for the 20th time, a feat previously accomplished only by surefire Hall-of-Famer Bernard Hopkins. Despite battling Canelo Alvarez to a stirring 12-round draw last September, Golovkin boasts an astonishing 87% knockout-to-win ratio. He’s coming off back-to-back efforts against Alvarez and Daniel Jacobs, perhaps the finest opponents in the 160-pound division.

Martirosyan, 31, is moving from the super welterweight division to 160 pounds to challenge “GGG,” and will be seeking a title for the third time.

Both fighters were amateur standouts who appeared in the 2004 Olympic Games, with Martirosyan representing his adopted nation of America, while Golovkin won a silver medal for Kazakhstan. Boasting a combined pro record of 73-3-2, 54 KOs, Golovkin and Martirosyan have a 94% winning percentage.

The opening bout marks the first women’s boxing match on HBO, with Cecilia Braekhus of Cartagena, Colombia (32-0, 9 KOs) meeting Kali Reis (13-6-1, 4 KOs) from Providence, RI, in a ten-round welterweight title bout. Braekhus seeks to extend her nine-year world championship reign in her 22nd consecutive title defense.

Follow HBO boxing news at hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/hboboxing and on Twitter at twitter.com/hboboxing.

All HBO boxing events are presented in HDTV. HBO viewers must have access to the HBO HDTV channel to watch HBO programming in high definition.

The executive producer of HBO Sports is Rick Bernstein; producer, Dave Harmon; director, Johnathan Evans.

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

LOS ANGELES (May 1, 2018) — This week, undefeated World Middleweight Champion, boxing superhero and the new Cinco De Mayor GENNADY “GGG” GOLOVKIN returns to HBO and a Southern California boxing ring for the first time in over two years! Golovkin (37-0-1, 33 KOs), from Karaganda, Kazakhstan and boxing’s longest-reigning world champion (since 2010) will attempt to add his name to the history books when he makes his 20th consecutive and record-tying title defense. The man standing in his way will be two-time world title challenger VANES “THE NIGHTMARE ” MARTIROSYAN (36-3-1, 21 KOs), from Glendale, Calif. The 2004 Olympians collide Saturday, May 5, under the stars at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. The Golovkin vs. Martirosyan middleweight title fight will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT. The HBO telecast will open with the CECILIA BRAEKHUS vs. KALI REIS World Female Welterweight Championship rumble. It is the first time HBO has televised a women’s bout live.

VANES MARTIROSYAN: We are very blessed to have this opportunity. We can’t wait – this is what we dream about having a fight like this. I am just so excited and every day I have a big smile on my face. I will get to show the world where I belong in this sport. I finally get a guy that wants to fight and come forward. Other fights I have had with fighters running away not wanting to engage. It’s a perfect fight for Cinco de Mayo because it is going to be two guys — Mexican-Style fighters — going head to head. It will be a perfect show for the boxing fans. They are going to enjoy this fight on the night.

How has it been for you the last couple of weeks once you took the fight? Has the backlash given you motivation?

VANES MARTIROSYAN: We are in the gym every day, whether we are boxing or doing strength work with Jesse Forbes — we are there every day — so when fights kept falling out we were getting depressed, because we were happy training for fights, then fighters were pulling out. When we got information about this fight being GGG’s next fight, we’re excited and so happy to get to work. Nothing but happiness and everything in camp has been going great. We went to SNAC for a week with Victor Conte and we trained up there then we came back. Everything is good. I have no excuses. People talk about taking the fight on short notice but we are ready. You could wake me up in my sleep and I am ready to fight. I’ve been doing this since I was seven years old. We have been waiting for an opportunity like this and we are happy that Tom Loeffler and GGG that they accepted it and so did we and we are going to put on a great show on the 5th.

How did it help you staying in the gym? Many guys say they do but really don’t.

VANES MARTIROSYAN: We were supposed to fight in June and then it was March – March 17, I was supposed to fight Sulecki and he pulled out. Then they told me I was fighting March 29, then it was April 9 – guys just kept falling out and we just stayed in the gym. When we got the call for the fight they asked me if I could be 176 by Thursday or Friday and I weighed in that day at 174 or 175 that day. One week before the fight we came in at 167 so we are in shape and we are good to go. My trainer Edmund always tells me ‘fight or no fight, stay in the gym and stay sharp. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have a fight.’ I know some fighters when they don’t have a fight they just stay home chillin’ till they get the call to go in the gym. When you’ve done it for such a long time you get tired of training. The good thing about my team is fight or no fight – go to the gym for 30 or 40 minutes even if you’re going to watch sparring – we are always in the gym and always around boxing. We were happy to get the call and ready to go on the 5th.

VANES MARTIROSYAN: When we signed for the fight I need to be 176 lbs. a couple days after but I was already there. It was the WBC 30-day weigh-in and I stepped on a scale and I was 176 and then last week I weighed in at 167, so the weight has been good.

TOM LOEFFLER: That we had the WBC 30-day weigh-in requirement of a maximum of 176 lbs. – it was actually less than 30-days the day Vanes had signed. Two days after he signed he got on the scale and was under the weight.

Was there a point where you thought you might not fight on May 5th?

TOM LOEFFLER: I would have to say there were at least four different occasions when we thought we couldn’t save the May 5 date. It was really because Gennady was insistent on fighting May 5. He felt that just because Canelo wasn’t available or was suspended there was no reason why he shouldn’t fight. Then there was a long litany of different things that happened, from the date of May 5 being released at a very late stage in Las Vegas, for us to request a new date moving from T-Mobile to MGM, then a couple days later MGM saying, ‘look, this is too late of a date to effectively promote a fight at the big arena,’ and we literally didn’t have a signed agreement with an opponent at that time. There were names that we went through, and I have to say I can’t compliment Vanes and his team enough for had he not signed the contract in two or three days HBO would have said ‘this is too late for us to effectively promote and market a fight on HBO.’ To be clear, Vanes is the No. 1 rated WBC and there is a reason – some people point to the fact he hasn’t fought for two years but he was ready, willing and able – there were three different fights that fell out, and Don King had chronicled that he was ready to fight the opponents. Vanes was ready and he was the leading available contender and he is local here in the Los Angeles area. He has huge support form the Armenian community here and was very effective in doing interviews. How many champions do you know that would go to the challenger’s gym? That’s how much respect GGG has for Vanes and his trainer Edmund that we went to Vanes’ gym to do the media day. There is a lot of respect on both sides and this event was really saved by HBO agreeing to show this fight. It is a historic moment for Cecilia Braekhus being the first female boxer on HBO and we just think it’s going to be a great Cinco De Mayo event all the way around for the fans both at StubHub and on HBO.

Are there concerns of GGG being frustrated?

TOM LOEFFLER: This is a very unique situation not only on the promotional side but also on the training side. Luckily Abel runs a very professional training camp. Gennady is real disciplined. It was really me working the late nights worrying and trying to figure out a solution on how we would save the date. Gennady just kept training and sparring and he’s focused but he was frustrated when Canelo first announced the positive test. He was extremely frustrated and disappointed when people were saying why this fight wasn’t happening in Las Vegas – Gennady was the person most affected by this because he had been training for the biggest fight in the sport of boxing then it was a big shock wave that came with the test. He is a professional and he wants to fight and if he is successful on Saturday he’ll tie the middleweight record that Bernard Hopkins set at 20 defenses and it is a very momentous occasion for his career. He is giving Vanes a huge opportunity – one of the biggest platforms that Vanes will be performing on HBO against arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter in the sport. This is a huge opportunity for Vanes being extremely frustrated for not getting a fight for over two years now on the biggest stage in his hometown no less – it was the solution to save the Cinco de Mayo date for the fans.

If he does get the victory do you believe he will fight Canelo in September? Do you plan to fight Canelo next?

TOM LOEFFLER: That’s hard to project – everyone on our side is focusing on May 5. Whatever happens after that – I’ll tell you one thing, if GGG is not successful we won’t be talking about a Canelo rematch and Vanes is elevated instantaneously to the top of the sport of boxing. No one is overlooking this fight. This is a very dangerous fight. Vanes is from here and he is accomplished. GGG and Vanes know each other from the amateurs and in the Olympics in 2004. GGG tabbed Vanes as the best US representative on that team. Anyone that is familiar with Vanes’ career – he had a draw with Lara and a controversial loss to Charlo, he dropped Andrade in the first round – all world class fighters and this is a huge opportunity for someone that is as hungry and motivated as Vanes. This is a huge opportunity for him and that’s why no one can overlook this fight coming up on Saturday.

What kind of changes in training have you had to make to now prepare for GGG?

VANES MARTIROSYAN: Edmund is my head trainer and we have been training for fights so when we got the fight all I had to do – we went to SNAC – and that’s where Danny Jacobs was while he prepared for GGG – so we went there for about a week and a half training in the high altitude and we came back down here with Jesse Forbes – a great strength and conditioning coach, so we just got ready for Golovkin – we are fighters and styles do make fights and I think that GGG’s style and mine fit very well. I just want to see where I belong in the sport. I never had the opportunity to show. . I can honestly say, and I promise you guys that this is the first time of my life in camp that I have been so happy with my trainers, with my strength trainers – everybody’s working together and nobody is arguing about anything. The good thing about Edmund is he is like a friend, like a brother we are family. When you see how Gennady is with Abel and his team with Tom – they are a class act and for the first time in my life everyone is so classy – everybody is together, working together rather than people trying to take control over things. Right now I am in the gym sweating my butt off and that’s why I was a little bit late to this call, and I apologize for that, and I just want to say one thing about Golovkin and Tom and his camp – this is the first time in my life that I have seen gentlemen and everything has been so classy with everything – with the promotion and the press and everybody. There is no cursing trying to promote the fight – everybody knows how big this fight is for me and for GGG – he’s going for a record and I’m also going for a record – to beat the baddest man on the planet – just the thought of that alone is amazing.

What was the reaction of your fan base when they heard about this fight?

VANES MARTIROSYAN: All of my fans in Glendale were so excited. But I do have to say that most of my fans are also GGG fans.

And your wife . . .

VANES MARTIROSYAN: Well I do have to clear that up. We were watching fights ago and I asked my wife – who do you like besides me? I didn’t even know I was getting the GGG fight this was 4 or 5 weeks ago. She said ‘you obviously, there is no one else.’ And I said ‘no, you have to pick someone.’ My wife is actually Asian and she said ‘the Korean guy’ and I didn’t know who she was talking about. She said Gennady the guy is so nice and I said, yes, I think GGG is part Asian also, if I’m not mistaken. She likes guys that are humble. I think people took it the wrong way.

The fan reaction of you fighting GGG?

VANES MARTIROSYAN: I get messages from my fans saying ‘we are GGG fans but we are supporting you for this fight.’ All of the Armenians are big fans of GGG – I’m also a fan of GGG – the guy is a killer, he’s a good fighter and people respect that. The part I respect about him most is that he’s a clean fighter and he does everything straight – he doesn’t try to dodge anything and he’s a gentleman. He goes in there and he does his job and he gets out of there. There’s no yelling or hollering ‘I’m the baddest man in the world.’ Actions speak louder than words and he has proven that.

How are ticket sales going?

TOM LOEFFLER: Ticket sales are going well. We have the bleachers set up and we added some $100 tickets, as a Fight Week Special, a category that had been sold out previously. GGG had set the ticket sales record at StubHub so we expect with the popularity of Vanes and his fan base here in Los Angeles that we are going to break that record and we are going to have a full house of May 5. The floor seats are mostly gone and the second price category. There is no bad seat in the StubHub Center – even the bleachers are close to the ring. We expect a great crowd and everyone will be celebrating on Cinco de Mayo. The Tecate Fan Fest goes from 3-7 pm – HBO starts at 8 pm PT / 11 pm ET. We have a tremendous undercard which will be announced shortly so it’s going to be and we are looking forward to a great weekend for the Southern California boxing fans.

Edmund, can you tell us why Vanes will beat GGG on Saturday?

EDMUND TARVERDYAN: Well I can’t really give away how we are going to beat GGG but I have worked with Vanes and guys like Vic Darchinyan. I took Ronda Rousey up to Abel’s gym and he was so nice to us for a couple of camps and I watched GGG spar. Inside information from a person that knows Gennady, I actually followed his career before he turned professional, and before he came to the United States and I told people like Dana White that there was a fighter you should keep your eye on and Dana White became a fan of his. We went up there for two camps and Abel gave us a key to the gym and I got to train with GGG and Ronda and I understand him very well and I know what it takes to beat him but it’s not an easy puzzle to solve – he’s a great fighter and Vanes is ready. Vanes has movement and speed – he is quicker than GGG and younger and hungrier and that night he is going to show his skill. Vanes moves very well and people that count him out shouldn’t be doing that because if you know boxing, you have Amir Khan who doesn’t have a chin fights somebody like Canelo and gives Canelo a hard time until he gets caught. Amir was ahead at the time on the cards then Canelo gives Gennady a good fight and GGG won with his jab, but Canelo gave Gennady a good fight. Now Amir started at lightweight and Vanes is a big 154-pounder and Gennady is a small 160-pounder. Two days ago he weighed 162 and Vanes is bigger than him. So I am very confident that Vanes and GGG are going to have a great fight.

Vanes, can you tell us why you will win on Saturday night . . .

VANES MARTIROSYAN: The hunger, you know, and being out of the ring for so long. I love boxing with all my heart and all we do every day is just wake up every morning, go online and read boxing news. I’ve just been hoping and waiting for this opportunity and I can honestly say this will be the best version of me. A lot of people see me as my nickname “Nightmare” and they don’t really know how I got that name. I didn’t pick that name – that name was given to me when I fought Timothy Bradley. I’m the last guy he lost to before he turned professional. I beat Austin Trout three times, I beat Andre Berto and the fans gave that name to me. They were like ‘I don’t know who this kid is but he’s like a nightmare.’ At one of my fights someone yelled ‘the Armenian Nightmare’ through the crowd and that’s how that name stuck with me. This fight is going to be a nightmare. We are trying to beak our record, he’s trying to break a record and the StubHub is going to break a record. I’m trying to break a record by becoming the middleweight champion of the world. For the Armenian’s and for all fans it’s going to be a great fight.

TOM LOEFFLER: There will be no running on Cinco de Mayo. Both of these guys are going to give the fans a great show. There will be fireworks in the ring. I know Edmund doesn’t train Vanes to be defensive or to run around the ring like you’ve seen from some of GGG’s past opponents. I think both guys are going to put on a tremendous show for the fans.

VANES MARTIROSYAN: Most of GGG’s opponents – when they got into the ring they already lost. They already thought about the power before they got in the ring and they fought defensive. Gennady is a monster and the he hits really hard. So they got in the ring scared and I don’t get in the ring scared. I am going to do my thing, just go in there and have fun to see where I belong in this sport and to see what this man is about. I never turn down fights. If you look at my last five fights – Andrade, Ishe Smith, Charlo, Lara and Alberto Lorenzo – those are just my last five fights. I don’t back down from anyone. I take all fights and this is another one and you are going to see the best of me.

Do you consider it an advantage that you will be the bigger guy in the ring?

VANES MARTIROSYAN: I always fought better at higher weight classes. Whenever there was a catch-weight in my career I always did better. I think it’s going to be good because I don’t have to kill myself to make 154. I remember when I fought Lara they day before the weigh-in I was 162 and I had to cut eight pound to make 154 – 24 hours before the weigh-in. At times I had trouble making 154 but I always made it – the struggle is like that for all fighters. For a short camp like this it is perfect. The weight is good and everything is good and I can’t wait to rock and roll. I’m strong at 160. I might be bigger and I think 160 is a great weight class for me and I’m going to be there for awhile I think.

In Closing . . .

EDMUND TARVERDYAN: I want to thank Tom and Abel and Gennady for this opportunity and also Don King, Vanes’ promoter and thanks to everyone doing the interviews.

VANES MARTIROSYAN: Thanks to everyone for doing these interviews and Tom and Gennady and HBO and Don King thank you and remember there is not a bad seat in the house. I have been there to see Bradley fight Provodnikov and Rios – Alvarado and they are always good shows. It’s good for boxing and there is not a bad seat in the house. Big drama show!

GENNADY GOLOVKIN: I feel very comfortable. I kept saying ‘Tom, Tom, get me a fight on May 5th.” Cinco de Mayo day.

What would it mean to you to tie the middleweight defense record held by Bernard Hopkins?

GENNADY GOLOVKIN: It will mean a lot but compared to Bernard Hopkins my record is much bigger. – Stronger and bigger. This is a good situation for me and for my fans and that’s it.

What does tying the record mean to you?

GENNADY GOLOVKIN: It is numbers. Only numbers.

Do you have plans to break the record after the fight whether it be against Canelo or someone else?

GENNADY GOLOVKIN: That would be a new story. You know, maybe. Why not?

TOM LOEFFLER: I think it’s bigger for everyone on the team like Abel Sanchez and myself we understand the historic perspective of what Gennady has accomplished in his career and could potentially accomplish on Saturday and be successful in another title defense. He just wanted to fight. He told me he didn’t care who and he didn’t care where just ‘I want to fight on Cinco de Mayo,’ and that was my job. He’s just focused on his training and winning on Saturday and anything else that comes after that is what he feels the fans and the media want to see.

Abel, how do you feel about tying the record?

ABEL SANCHEZ: I think it’s great for his history and for boxing history. If you look at his record he hasn’t had any rematches in there. Everybody he fought has been a new opponent. The great Bernard Hopkins fought twice against Echols and three times against Robert Allen. We are fighting new guys every time. By tying it and if he decides to stay at middleweight and break the record in the future is great for boxing history and good for historians to look back upon.

Have you noticed any difference in the way he has approached his training since he is not fighting Canelo?

ABEL SANCHEZ: The disappointment was only for a couple of hours then he got right back in the gym and continued to work. You have to understand this opponent (Vanes) here was training – he was training for a fight against Sulecki, who just fought Daniel Jacobs and gave Daniel Jacobs a very difficult fight – those two guys were set to fight each other in the near future and Sulecki decided to fight Jacobs and Vanes is fighting us. These are two very good fighters. Vanes is rated No. 1 by the WBC and for a couple years nobody wanted to fight him because he’s too much of a threat. Sulecki fought Jacobs and gave him all he could handle. I think we are fighting a guy that is not only rated highly but has only three losses against elite fighters at 154 but if Vanes gives us the kind of fight that Sulecki gave Danny Jacobs we are all going to be treated to a great night.

Do you plan to defend the IBF belt?

TOM LOEFFLER: The IBF did grant our request for an exception and we are in the process of clarifying some of those conditions because there was some uncertainty on those. We are dealing with that on our side and Gennady and Abel are completely focused on getting in the ring on Saturday.

Vanes has never been stopped and you have gone 12 rounds in your last couple of fights – are you going for a KO?

GENNADY GOLOVKIN: This is boxing. Nobody knows. If he gives me a chance to stop him, I will stop him. If not, then I don’t. This is boxing. If we exchange punches and I hurt him, then it can happen.

How soon do you plan to fight if you are successful on Saturday night?

GENNADY GOLOVKIN: After this fight we will look at the situation – the situation in the middleweight division. I know my second step will be what’s better for boxing and better for us.

How important was it for you to keep Gennady active on this date?

ABEL SANCHEZ: We had already been in the gym for about a month when we got the news about Canelo. I didn’t want to waste that month and when Tom sat down with Gennady and me, he promised us he was going to try and keep the May 5 date together and get us a fight and he promised it would be a right-hander so we could continue to work like we were fighting Canelo. We knew it was going to be an elite fighter – we knew it was going to be someone at the top, so this guy’s a little taller than Canelo but he is still an elite fighter. We stayed focused and tried not to lose that concentration while training to be prepared for the 5th.

ABEL SANCHEZ: The fans have been asking for his activity like it used to be. It used to be we fight three or four times a year and the fans got to see him whether it was at StubHub or overseas and the questions I get from a lot of fans is why isn’t he fighting often like he was before. We wanted to make sure we didn’t have two fights per year like we have been having and Gennady made sure that Tom understood that he wants to keep a more active schedule. Obviously we are concentrating on the 5thbut hopefully we fight again in September and then December. That way the fans get to see him more. He just turned 36 on April 8th and we may not have him for that many more years so let’s enjoy as many fights as we can for as long as we can.

How difficult was it to move from HBO Pay-Per-View to HBO?

TOM LOEFFLER: HBO has a packed schedule of premium programming and everyone was planning on an HBO Pay-Per-View fight. There was not boxing slated on the HBO network for May 5 and going off the pay-per-view platform, then we had to create a slot on the HBO network. We give a lot of thanks to Peter Nelson for supporting GGG and his desire to continue to fight on that date. The easiest thing for HBO to say would have been let’s postpone it for a month and put him on in June but that totally messes up Gennady’s schedule as Abel said, both from a training standpoint and having turned 36 he wants to get in the ring as soon as possible and as often as possible. He is a unified champion and has a lot of responsibilities and has been one of the most active champions in boxing. When you get bogged down with a Danny Jacobs fight, which took four months to negotiate, and everything got pushed back from a December date to a March date, then you have negotiations with Canelo. If it were up to Gennady he would fight three or four times a year. He knows one punch can change a career, and you don’t know. So fight as much as possible. He is the most entertaining boxer today and he trains to put on a good show even if that means taking some punches to throw more back. He’s sold out the last eight arenas he has fought in. It’s a huge opportunity for the HBO subscribers to see him. Most fighters, once they make the successful transition to HBO Pay-Per-View, they don’t go back. Having sold over one million pay-per-view buys against Canelo – having this fight at StubHub Center is a Cinco de Mayo present for the boxing fans, and to see Cecilia Braekhus in the first female bout on HBO along with the rest of the undercard fights.

How important is activity to the success of Gennady’s career?

ABEL SANCHEZ: I think the activity is more for fan appreciation than it is for his career. We’ve gotten to the point now where he is an established star. The chance to see him in a place like StubHub in an arena where every seat is a great seat and then to be on regular HBO I think it is a present, like Tom said. Hopefully we can do a Cinco de Mayo fight next year, and September and that way the fans can continue to watch this star for another couple three years.

You have a very close relationship. How do you keep that separate from preparing for fights?

ABEL SANCHEZ: The great thing about working with an athlete that has an amateur pedigree coming from the Kazak system – it is easy to separate the gym, the fight and our personal life. We have to be very professional when we are preparing him and professional when we are taking him into the ring. When we start allowing emotions to get in the way, that’s when we start to make mistakes, not just for the coaches but for the fighters too. We have to make sure we treat this as a sport and make sure we treat this in a manner that we have to prepare to be the best that we can be on that night. The emotion is after and the emotion is when we are not in training camp. Yes, we have bonded very well but it is my job to make sure that I look after his best interests and that means not being an emotional coach.

Do you think having Cecilia Braekhus on HBO will pave the way for more women?

TOM LOEFFLER: This is a huge opportunity not only for Cecilia but also for women’s boxing. Originally it was going to be Chocolatito as the co-feature, which was one of the great combinations in boxing – he is such an exciting dramatic fighter and a pioneer for the flyweight and super flyweight divisions and responsible for opening a door and creating the super flyweight series that we’ve done with HBO. Unfortunately, due to the political unrest in Nicaragua, Chocolatito was unable to get his Visa in time to be here for fight week. That scenario opened the door for Cecilia. She was originally set to be on the pay-per-view. She sells out 10,000 seat arenas in Norway and does big television ratings, which is a big part of the pay-per-view international telecast. She is the only undisputed in the sport of boxing. She is the only boxer that has one more belt than GGG has. It’s ironic that Edmund is training Vanes because the UFC had told Edmund, who trains Ronda, that there would never be a women’s bout in the UFC and she eventually became the UFC’s biggest star. I think that Cecilia has that personality to be a star and she’s fighting a tough customer, Kali Reis, a former middleweight champion and she’s coming down to challenge Cecilia for all the belts.

Can you tell me some strengths and weaknesses of Vanes?

ABEL SANCHEZ: In looking at some of the tapes, I have followed him since I have other fighters at 154. The strange thing about Gennady is that everybody that fights Gennady has to adapt to what Gennady does. So no matter what Vanes has done in the past against other fighters, he won’t be able to do that against Gennady, he’s got to adapt to what Gennady is going to bring into the ring. He will never be the same after this fight. None of the fighters that Gennady has fought were ever the same. Jacobs looked terrible in his last fight. Why? Because he went twelve rounds with Golovkin. I always prepare my guys to be the best they can be and the other guy is going to have to adapt to them. Obviously we know that he has a very good right hand. He’s taller than Gennady. He’s probably going to be a little faster at the beginning because he is a junior middleweight. He has decent punching power. If I try to formulate what he is going to bring to the table, it would change after he gets hit with the first shot. We are looking for the elite fighter that Vanes is but we are going to take it to him and if he comes forward the fans are going to be treated to a great fight. It’s not a matter of giving away the game plan it is a matter of what Vanes is willing to expose and what he is willing to put himself through in a fight.

Have you been surprised by the negative backlash, because he is a pretty good fighter?

ABEL SANCHEZ: I am very surprised because Vanes was supposed to fight the guy that just fought Jacobs and he gave Jacobs all he could handle. Jacobs is probably one of the top three middleweights in the world and Sulecki was hitting him with shots maybe he shouldn’t have hit him with. When people are badmouthing Vanes you have to realize these two guys were supposed to fight each other prior to Sulecki choosing to fight Jacobs and Vanes deciding to fight Gennady. Vanes is rated No. 1 in the WBC and his losses are to the guys that are also in line to fight Golovkin. Andrade put his hat in the ring when Canelo fell out. Lara has been asking for Golovkin for how long? One of the Charlo’s has been asking for Golovkin. For this guy to want to step up and make this fight in two and a half weeks, you have to give him credit, one, that he took the fight, and two, that he thinks he can win. It’s an opportunity to make history.

Gennady, what do you know about Vanes?

GENNADY GOLOVKIN: He is a good fighter. I remember him in 2004 in a couple of fights and he was good. He has a very strong chin and he is a little taller and has a longer reach and me. He has a lot of good experience. He has fought a lot of good boxers. I know my style and it matches up good with his but my style is much more interesting.

Abel, does Vanes height propose a problem?

ABEL SANCHEZ: No, Gennady likes to chop down trees.

Would you try to unify against Saunders or a Canelo rematch?

TOM LOEFFLER: It all depends on what happens May 5. I always try to look forward but these days everything is so convoluted with Canelo’s suspension – he said he is ready to fight September 15; Gennady does have responsibilities for mandatories; it’s been his dream to unify the division. We have tried to make a fight with Billy Joe Saunders a couple of times and that’s how the whole Kell brook fight came to be because we wanted to fight Saunders in the UK and they couldn’t do it then it went to Eubank then wound up with Brook. It’s always been Gennady’s dream to be undisputed.

Do you think GGG will go to the body more against Vanes? It didn’t happen much versus Canelo . . .

ABEL SANCHEZ: We make an attempt to but it takes two to tango. If the guy is running away like Canelo was it is difficult to land those body shots. He hit Canelo with a body shot in the fourth or fifth round and Kenny Bayless admonished him for hitting him in the back – Canelo turned his back while he was running away and got hit with a shot. But Canelo is also known as a body puncher and he didn’t throw any body punches. The styles have to mesh together and the two guys have to be willing to make a fight of it and in that instance, unfortunately, Canelo fought completely different than he fought the forty times before.

Have you noticed a difference in Jacobs in his two fights since he fought Gennady?

ABEL SANCHEZ: It’s not only Jacobs. If you go back to Lemieux, to Stevens, to Wade, to Willie Monroe, they are never the same. Murray also. They are never the same after they go rounds with Gennady. Jacobs was supposed to demolish Arias and he had a difficult time with him, which was his first fight after Gennady and now the fight with Sulecki he looked terrible. He gets hit with everything in the book and the reason being, in my opinion, is once you go twelve rounds with Golovkin you are never going to be the same.

TOM LOEFFLER: We are happy to have these two men on. Gennady is making a record-tying consecutive middleweight title defense, and Vanes, who is young, hungry and has one of the biggest opportunities in the sport of boxing – to collect multiple titles in one fight. We have the best male boxer in the sport, the best female boxer in the sport, all on the same HBO show. That’s a lot of championship hardware in one place!

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Promoted by GGG Promotions, in association with Don King Productions and Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, and sponsored by Tecate, Chivas Regal, Jordan and Hublot, remaining tickets to the Golovkin vs. Martirosyan world championship event are priced at $750, $500, $300, $200, $100, and $50. They may be purchased online at

https://www.axs.com/events/353331/golovkin-vs-martirosyan-tickets?ref=edp_twpost, by phone at (888) 9AXS-TIX, or by visiting the StubHub Center box office.

Fans are invited to come early to StubHub Center

for the Tecate Cinco De Mayo Fan Fest, from 3 to 7 P.M.

For more information, www.hbo.com/boxing; follow on Twitter @gggboxing, @hboboxing, @VanesBoxing, and @TomLoeffler1; become a fan on Facebook at

www.facebook.com/gggboxing, and www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing; follow on Instagram @gggboxing, @vanesboxing,and @HBOboxing.

The IBF granted Gennady Golovkin an excpetion to defend his two other middleweight title on May 5th against Vanes Martirosyan, but he must face mandatory challenger Sergey Derevyanchenk in 90 days, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“A majority of the directors determined that the exception to regulations should be granted to Gennady Golovkin with the following conditions,” Peoples wrote.

And then he outlined the four terms under which the exception was granted.

Golovkin-Martirosyan must take place on or before May 5, 2018.

Golovkin must agree in writing before the fight that he will next fight the IBF middleweight mandatory within 90 days of the May 5 bout or by Friday, Aug. 3, 2018.

Golovkin must agree in writing before the May 5 fight “to indemnify, hold harmless and otherwise reimburse the IBF for any legal fees or other expenses related to the granting of this exception, including, but not limited to, the cost attendant to any resultant litigation.”

Golovkin must “comply with all of the conditions set forth in the granting of this exception” or formal sanction won’t be issued for the May 5 bout.

“We said all along that we didn’t care if Golovkin walked into the ring with IBF title on May 5. What was at issue was what happens after that,” DiBella told ESPN. “We made it clear that as long as GGG was ordered to fight Derevyanchenko immediately after the May 5 fight that was OK and that is what the IBF ruled.

“Golovkin isn’t defending his IBF belt against Vanes and they’re not sanctioning the fight with Vanes, but they are also not stripping Golovkin either. But GGG has to begin negotiations with us immediately thereafter and then fight Derevyanchenko within 90 days. There are no other exceptions. That’s what we wanted the IBF to say.”

Tom Loeffler said he was not sure what Golovkin would decide to do. “Gennady is training for a fight on May 5, so haven’t spoken to him about this approval of the exception yet,” Loeffler said. “So when I see him in fight week I’ll discuss it with him.”

CARSON, CALIF. (April 26, 2018) — Boxing’s only undisputed world champion CECILIA BRAEKHUS, will defend her World Female Welterweight crown against former WBC Female World Middleweight Champion KALI REIS in the co-feature of the Gennady “GGG” Golovkinvs. Vanes “The Nightmare” Martirosyan World Middleweight Championship event. Both world title bouts, featuring the No. 1 male and female pound for pound fighters in Golovkin and Braekhus, respectively, will be televised live on Cinco De Mayo, Saturday, May 5, from StubHub Center on HBO World Championship Boxing, beginning at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT. This marks the first time a women’s bout has been televised live on HBO.

Braekhus (32-0, 9 KOs), a native of Cartagena, Colombia, who fights out of Bergen, Norway, is now trained by former world champion Lucia Rijker. Braekhus will be looking to extend her nine-year world championship reign with her 22nd consecutive title defense, against Reis (13-6-1, 4 KOs), from Providence, RI, in a 10-round championship bout between two of the most dominant female fighters .

The non-televised all-action undercard will feature undefeated consensus Top-10 world rated contender RYAN “Blue Chip” MARTIN. Martin (21-0, 12 KOs), from Chattanooga and fighting out of Cleveland, returns to Southern California for the second time this year, taking on battle-tested BREIDIS PRESCOTT (31-12, 22 KOs), a native of Colombia who fights out of Miami, Fla., in a 10-round super lightweight bout. The undercard will also feature five-time New York Golden Gloves champion and 2017 United States Amateur champion BRIAN CEBALLO (1-0, 1 KO), from Brooklyn, making his triumphant return to Southern California where he made his professional debut last month. He will be in a four-round welterweight bout.

“From top to bottom this is a card worthy of Cinco De Mayo and the knowledgeable fight fans who regularly pack StubHub Center,” said promoter Tom Loeffler. “I am so proud to help present the first female bout to be televised live on HBO. Undefeated World Female Welterweight Champion Cecllia Braekhus, boxing’s only undisputed world champion, will have her hands full against former WBC World Female Middleweight champion Kali Reis, and Top-10 lightweight contender Ryan Martin will be taking on rugged Breidis Prescott. Together with the Golovkin – Martirosyan middleweight title fight, is it any wonder that everyone is referring to May 5 at StubHub Center as boxing’s Cinco De Mayo headquarters?”

“I’m honored to fight on the same card as the best male fighter in the world, Gennady ‘GGG’ Golovkin, at the StubHub Center on May 5,” said Braekhus. “I’ve heard so many magnificent things about fighting in Southern California and the passion boxing fans have for great fights. Cinco De Mayo at the StubHub Center will truly be a special night for the boxers and the fans. I’ve been training in Los Angeles for the last six weeks with Lucia Rikjer, and this has been a tremendous camp particularly since I am able to work in the beautiful weather out here. I’ve not fought in America in ten years and this is truly one of the high points in my career and I want to thank my fans all over the world for continuing to push me to great heights. I know how tough Kali Reis is, and I’m ensuring every step in camp will prepare me for victory.”

“It’s been great working with Cecilia, she is so talented, and even more, so very dedicated to working hard and continuing to learn every day,” said Rijker. “We can’t wait to show boxing fans at the StubHub Center and those watching all over the world what we’ve been working on.”

“I am very excited for this opportunity. I’d like to thank Cecilia and her team for this once in a lifetime chance to fight the No. 1 pound for pound undisputed champion,” said Reis. “My team and I have been hard at work knowing she will bring her A game, so will we. This is such a great card and I am grateful to be a part of it.”

“I’m excited to showcase my skills again to the LA fans. I’m in really good shape and my weight feels great. This is going to be a special night of boxing,” said Martin.

“I am going deliver the same welcome gift to Martin that I gave to Amir Khan, a two-fisted sleeping tablet,” said Prescott.

Braekhus, 36, made her professional debut in 2007, and in only her 11th fight, two years later, captured the vacant WBC and WBA world female welterweight titles, winning a unanimous decision over undefeated contender Vinni Skovgaard in 2009. After two title defenses she added the vacant WBO title to her collection, winning a unanimous decision over Victoria Cisneros in 2010. In 2014, she won a unanimous decision over IBF world champion Ivana Habazin to become undisputed champion. She has reigned supreme over the welterweight division for four years and six title defenses. Due to her lobbying and popularity, the Norwegian government lifted its 33-year ban on professional boxing allowing her to defend her world championship crown four times in front of massive crowds in her homeland while becoming a national hero. On May 11, Braekhus will receive the Christy Martin Award as the Female Fighter of the Year at the annual Boxing Writers Association of America Awards Dinner in New York.

Reis, 31, will be making her 2018 and West Coast debut when she challenges Braekhus. After winning IBA and UBF titles, Reis, traveled to New Zealand in 2016 and won a split decision over Maricela Cornejo to capture the vacant WBC World Female Middleweight Title. It was the first time New Zealand had ever hosted a major world championship fight. Reis enters this fight having won six of her last seven fights, the only blemish, a decision title unification loss to undefeated WBO World Female Middleweight Champion Christina Hammer. Reis is promoted by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing.

Martin, 25, returns to the ring after making a star turn headlining his first card, on March 27, at The Avalon in Hollywood, Calif. Martin blasted Luis Eduardo Florez in the fourth round of their 10-round bout. The Abel Sanchez-trained contender who regularly works out with Golovkin in Big Bear Lake, has a resume that boasts WBC Continental Americas lightweight title victories over Cesar Villarraga and Bryant Cruz as well as a WBA Intercontinental lightweight championship victory over Francisco Rojo despite suffering a fracture to his right hand. Martin is currently world-rated No. 6 by the IBF, No. 8 by the WBC and the WBO. .

Prescott, 34, will be the most experienced opponent Martin has faced. Best known for his first-round knockout victory of Amir Khan and a decision victory over former world champion Richar Abril, Prescott has been in tough for much of his professional career, going the distance against former two-division world champion Terence Crawford and top-rated contenders Roberto Garcia, Paul McCloskey and Fredrick Lawson. Boasting a victory by knockout ratio of 71%, Prescott will be looking to make the most of his Cinco De Mayo rumble with Martin.

Promoted by GGG promotions, in association with Don King Productions, and sponsored by Tecate, Chivas Regal, Jordan and Hublot, remaining tickets to the Golovkin vs. Martirosyan world championship event are priced at $750, $500, $300, $200, $100 (sold out) and $50 (sold out), and may be purchased online at https://www.axs.com/events/353331/golovkin-vs-martirosyan-tickets?ref=edp_twpost, by phone at (888) 9AXS-TIX, or by visiting the StubHub Center box office.

For more information, www.hbo.com/boxing; follow on Twitter @gggboxing, @hboboxing, @VanesBoxing, and @TomLoeffler1; become a fan on Facebook at

www.facebook.com/gggboxing, and www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing; follow on Instagram @gggboxing, @vanesboxing,and @HBOboxing.

GLENDALE, CALIF. (April 24, 2018) — Fellow 2004 Olympians and soon-to-be opponents GENNADY “GGG” GOLOVKIN and VANES “THE NIGHTMARE” MARTIROSYAN met with the media — and each other — on Monday at Martirosyan’s gym, the Glendale Fighting Club. It was the first time the fighters addressed the media, and each other, since announcing their Cinco De Mayo world championship rumble. Golovkin (37-0-1, 33 KOs), from Karaganda, Kazakhstan, boxing’s longest-reigning world champion (since 2010), will be defending his World Middleweight Championship crown for the 20th consecutive and record-tying time, against former two-time world title challenger and current No. 1 contender Martirosyan (36-3-1, 21 KOs), from Glendale, Calif. They collide on Saturday, May 5, under the stars at StubHub Center. The fight will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Promoted by GGG promotions, in association with Don King Productions, and sponsored by Tecate, Chivas Regal, Jordan and Hublot, remaining tickets to the Golovkin vs. Martirosyan world championship event are priced at $750, $500, $300, $200, $100 (sold out) and $50 (sold out), and may be purchased online at https://www.axs.com/events/353331/golovkin-vs-martirosyan-tickets?ref=edp_twpost, by phone at (888) 9AXS-TIX, or by visiting the StubHub Center box office.

Here is what the fighters had to say:

GENNADY GOLOVKIN

“I am glad to be back in the ring and giving a fight to my fans. I am happy that Cinco De Mayo will still have boxing. It is good for the sport. I want to stay active. I would like to fight four or five times every year. Cinco De Mayo is a big night for a fight and for a Mexican-Style fighter like me. It is very important to me to be fighting again, to be fighting on Cinco De Mayo. I didn’t want to disappoint the fans who wanted a fight on a Mexican holiday. I am grateful to the Mexican fans who support me and who supported me after the fight with Canelo and during the past two months.

“When my fight with Canelo was canceled I never stopped training. I wanted a fight on Cinco De Mayo. I stayed in Big Bear working hard with Abel hoping I would still be able to have a fight.

“Canelo? Right now he is over. Do I want to have the rematch in September? We’ll see. It’s a different deal. The boxing business is crazy. I’ll fight Canelo again. Ask him if he wants to fight me.

“I no longer think about Canelo. I am only focused on this fight. I just want to fight Vanes. I remember him from the 2004 Olympics. I know he is not easy. Vanes is a strong and active fighter in the ring. He is a good fighter . Vanes is a real guy. A real fighter. He is tall and strong. In 2004, I thought Vanes was the best boxer on the U.S. Olympic team.

“I have watched some tapes of Vanes’ fights. His fights with Lara. The minute the fight was signed Abel brought new ideas to the gym workouts. And no, I am not going to tell you those new ideas. The fans at StubHub Center will be watching two Mexican-style fighters from the area.

“I am still comfortable at 160 pounds. There are no big money fights at 168 pounds and besides, I am small at 160.

“I only ask for fights. I want more big fights. Huge fights. Title unification fights. I want to stay champion. It should be a clean sport. That is important to me.

“This fight is very important for boxing. Fans should not have to miss having a fight on Cinco De Mayo. This is my gift to the sport. Thank you to everyone for watching me and supporting me.”

VANES MARTIROSYAN

“This fight is the biggest test for me. It will show where I belong in this sport. I was able to take advantage of this opportunity because I never left the gym, even when previously scheduled fights kept falling through. I would take a week off and then return to the gym. It was hard but I never lost faith. A good fighter stays ready, stays in shape. How many times have we heard that about an opponent falling out and a replacement getting that golden ticket to fight for a world title?

“Regarding Canelo, you have to ask, ‘Why did he flunk two drug tests. Why did he withdraw from VADA? I don’t believe him. I don’t buy his excuse about tainted meat. If, God forbid, I had tested positive because of accidentally eating something, I would have myself tested every day to prove I was clean. No one wants to see someone cheat his way into a fight.

“That’s why fans love Triple G. Because he is so good in the ring and because he is clean. He has always been tested. He wants boxing to be a clean sport as do I.

“I have been counted out before and I have shined. This is my time. Fate has reached out to me and I am ready to seize the moment. You can never plan for something like this, but you can be prepared, and that’s why I never left the gym.

“I am excited to show everyone how good I can be. I feel so fresh and strong. Fans and Gennady will be amazed . We may not be Mexican but I guarantee you it’s going to feel like two Mexicans are going to war on Cinco De Mayo.

“I’m not afraid of Gennady. I’m psyched to fight him. This is why I became a fighter. I’m not the only one taking this fight on short notice. Everyone has a soft spot. I’ll find his. I have no fear. We are going to war — Mexican Style. Two trains colliding. We both love the Mexican Style of fighting. We’re both hard headed and heavy handed. To me, it’s not a REAL fight without a lot of Mexican fans. I’m not fighting to survive. I’ll be fighting to win!

“I don’t run like the guy who pretended to eat a bad steak. Let’s see how Gennady reacts to a fighter who doesn’t move away after being hit. Gennady’s chin hasn’t been tested the way I’d like to test it.

“Canelo is an easier fight than Gennady. Gennady has a fan-friendly style. Canelo ran from my mandatory challenge. That says a lot about him. That tells you everything about him.

“When I got the call from Don King, I was laying in bed with the kids. ‘Hey, man, there’s this guy they call Triple G or something like that, you want to fight?” I said, ‘Of course.’ That’s how I found out I got the fight.

“Before I knew I had this fight, I asked my wife who her favorite fighter was, besides me. She told me Gennady Golovkin. So now I have to beat his ass for that (laughing).”

**********************************

For more information, www.hbo.com/boxing; follow on Twitter @gggboxing, @hboboxing, @VanesBoxing, and @TomLoeffler1; become a fan on Facebook at

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GLENDALE, CALIF. (April 20, 2018) — Two-time world title challenger and 2004 Olympian VANES “THE NIGHTMARE” MARTIROSYAN (36-3-1, 21 KOs), from Glendale, Calif., challenges undefeated World Middleweight Champion GENNADY “GGG” GOLOVKIN (37-0-1, 33 KOs), from Karaganda, Kazakhstan. The recently announced world championship rumble between the 2004 Olympians is only 14 days away and takes place on Cinco De Mayo — Saturday, May 5 — under the stars at StubHub Center and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Martirosyan was one of a handful of boxers in the conversation as Golovkin’s May 5 opponent following the cancellation of the Canelo rematch. Martirosyan was ready to go when the call came. He had been sparring with a couple of undefeated Russian boxers.

“Throughout the year, two camps started on and off. Every time we started somebody pulled out.,’ said Martirosyan. ‘The last was the WBC mandatory against Sulecki on March 17. We were getting ready for that and that didn’t happen because Sulecki pulled out to fight Danny Jacobs. So then we took a week off and got back in the gym again. It’s been like that for the past year – we would start camp then the fight falls through, then we take a week off and get back to camp again.

“Every time I talked to my promoter Don King, I would tell him my passion. I would tell him ‘give me a fight, let me show you what I can do.’ I knew he had been working hard to get me a fight then he got me this fight. When they asked me if I wanted it I said ‘of course.’ They asked me if I could be 176 by Friday and I said I am 176 right now. Thank God we were training and in such good shape. King got me the biggest fight and now it’s time to go.

“As a fighter, we train to fight and we are getting paid to fight. I am so happy because GGG is a fighter and he comes to fight. The fights that I didn’t look good in are against the people that ran from me like Lara and Andrade (recent decision losses) – they just try to run and outbox. I couldn’t make them fight. But GGG is coming to fight and that’s what I’ve been looking for – to show the boxing world what I can do.

“Styles make fights – everyone is human. I am fighting a person. Everyone is beatable – everybody.

Former UFC world champion and current WWE Superstar Ronda Rousey has shared the gym with Vanes for several years. “Ronda is a close friend of mine,” Martirosyan explained. “She’s always been a hard worker and gives us a lot of support. We came up together. We trained together when she only had one fight and was also working in a graveyard with dogs. Then she became a superstar. Ronda made it big in the UFC and now it is my turn to shock the world and let the boxing world hear my story. When she heard about the fight she told us she is very happy and real excited for us. ”

Golovkin and Martirosyan together boast a combined record of 73-3-2 (54 KOs) — a winning percentage of 94% with close to 3/4 of those victories coming by way of knockout.

Golovkin, boxing’s longest-reigning world champion (since 2010), and coming off consecutive title defenses against Canelo Alvarez and Danny Jacobs, will be making his 20th consecutive and record-tying middleweight title defense. Martirosyan’s resume boasts NABF, NABO, WBO Inter-Continental, WBA International and WBC Silver championship victories against the likes of former world champions Ishe Smith and Kassim Ouma, as well as a draw against Erislandy Lara. Standing at six-feet tall, Martirosyan will enter the ring as the taller and the younger gladiator. He is currently the WBC’s No. 1 world-rated super welterweight contender.

Promoted by GGG promotions, in association with Don King Productions, and sponsored by Tecate, Chivas Regal, Jordan and Hublot, remaining tickets to the Golovkin vs. Martirosyan world championship event are priced at $750, $500, $300, $200, $100 (sold out) and $50 (sold out), and may be purchased online at https://www.axs.com/events/353331/golovkin-vs-martirosyan-tickets?ref=edp_twpost, by phone at (888) 9AXS-TIX, or by visiting the StubHub Center box office.

For more information, www.hbo.com/boxing; follow on Twitter @gggboxing, @hboboxing, @VanesBoxing, and @TomLoeffler1; become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gggboxing, and www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing; follow on Instagram @gggboxing, @vanesboxing,and @HBOboxing.

CARSON, CALIF. (April 19, 2018) — The World Middleweight Championship battle between boxing’s longest-reigning champion GENNADY “GGG” GOLOVKIN and two-time world title challenger and fellow 2004 Olympian VANES “THE NIGHTMARE” MARTIROSYAN is one hot ticket! The Cinco De Mayo extravaganza will take place on Saturday, May 5, under the stars at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. HBO World Championship Boxing® will televise it live at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT. Golovkin (37-0-1, 33 KOs), from Karaganda, Kazakhstan will be looking to successfully defend his middleweight crown for a record-tying 20th consecutive time when he goes mano a mano against Martirosyan (36-3-1, 21 KOs), a native of Armenia who hails from Glendale, Calif..

Golovkin and Martirosyan boast a combined record of 73-3-2 (54 KOs) — a winning percentage of 94% with close to 3/4 of those victories coming by way of knockout.

Exciting all-action undercard bouts, featuring current and former world champions, are expected to be announced this week.

“Gennady is a huge draw in Southern, California. All three of his Los Angeles area world title fights have sold out., said Tom Loeffler, Golovkin’s promoter. “It’s been over two years since Gennady last fought in his adopted hometown. That combined with the event taking place on Cinco De Mayo, has created a tremendous demand for tickets to this fight. Gennady set the attendance record for boxing at StubHub in 2014 and we project to shatter that record on May 5. Tecate will also be hosting a Cinco De Mayo fan fest that evening at StubHub Center. Throw in the ultimate Mexican-Style boxer in Gennady Golovkin and you have yourself an amazing fistival!”

“It is going to be a great fight – it is going to be a battle of wills,” said Hall of Fame promoter Don King, who promotes Martirosyan. “GGG is a great fighter — he has four belts — and is supposed to be the best there is. But Vanes has heart, a strong will, and the desire of an Armenian with a never say die attitude, and he is coming to fight. The ticket to this event is going to be hot. This is a hot fight and it’s provocative. You’re not going to be able to go the restroom and you better get your popcorn and sit right there to watch it. It’s going to be a super fight and I am looking forward to it. Vanes’ desire and the will to win — that’s what creates a hell of a fight, because you don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Promoted by GGG promotions, in association with Don King Productions, and sponsored by Tecate, Chivas Regal, Jordan and Hublot, remaining tickets to the Golovkin vs. Martirosyan world championship event are priced at $750, $500, $300, $200, $100 (sold out) and $50 (sold out), and may be purchased online at https://www.axs.com/events/353331/golovkin-vs-martirosyan-tickets?ref=edp_twpost, by phone at (888) 9AXS-TIX, or by visiting the StubHub Center box office.

For more information, www.hbo.com/boxing; follow on Twitter @gggboxing, @hboboxing, @VanesBoxing, and @TomLoeffler1; become a fan on Facebook at

www.facebook.com/gggboxing, and www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing; follow on Instagram @gggboxing, @vanesboxing,and @HBOboxing.

CARSON, CALIF. (April 18, 2018) — Undefeated World Middleweight Champion and boxing superhero GENNADY “GGG” GOLOVKIN is saving Cinco De Mayo for boxing fans! Golovkin (37-0-1, 33 KOs), from Karaganda, Kazakhstan, boxing’s longest-reigning world champion, returns to the ring, Saturday, May 5, against two-time world title challenger VANES “THE NIGHTMARE ” MARTIROSYAN (36-3-1, 21 KOs), from Glendale, Calif. The fight will headline an exciting world championship card which will take place, under the stars, at StubHub Center, in Carson, Calif. It’s the first time Golovkin has fought in Southern California in over two years. Golovkin has proved himself to be a sterling gate attraction in his previous three fights in the Southland, selling out The Fabulous Forum twice, in 2016 and 2015, and setting the all time attendance record for boxing at StubHub Center in 2014. Golovkin vs. Martirosyan will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 11 p.m. ET/PT. Not only will this mark Golovkin’s first non-pay-per-view fight since 2016, if successful, it will also be his 20th consecutive and record-tying middleweight title defense.

Golovkin and Martirosyan boast a combined record of 73-3-2 (54 KOs) — a winning percentage of 94% with close to 3/4 of those victories coming by way of knockout.

Golovkin had originally been scheduled to defend his WBC, WBA, IBF and IBO middleweight titles on May 5 in a rematch against Saul “Canelo “Alvarez, in the biggest and most-anticipated event on the 2018 boxing calendar. But that fight was canceled when Alvarez withdrew after twice testing positive for the banned substance Clenbuterol

Promoted by GGG promotions, in association with Don King Productions, and sponsored by Tecate, Chivas Regal, Jordan and Hublot, tickets to the Golovkin vs. Martirosyan world championship event go on sale Today! Wednesday, April 18, at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT. Priced at $750, $500, $300, $200, $100 and $50, tickets may be purchased online at AXS.com, by phone at (888) 9AXS-TIX, or by visiting the StubHub Center box office.

“Vanes Martirosyan is now the most important fight of my career. He has my respect and I am training hard to defend my titles against him,” said Golovkin. “I am happy to be back on HBO and fighting at StubHub Center because they have great boxing fans. I will give my fans another big drama show.”

“Gennady has had such a terrific training camp in Big Bear. It wouldn’t be fair to him to let it go to waste just because Canelo was being punished,” said Abel Sanchez, Golovkin’s trainer. “Gennady is going to light up Cinco De Mayo as only a true Mexican-style fighter can. I can’t wait to unleash him.”

“We are adding extra bleachers to accommodate the demand from Gennady’s fans. We are prepared for Gennady to break his own StubHub Center attendance record for a boxing event, which he set in 2014,” said Tom Loeffler, Golovkin’s promoter. “When you think about all the great champions and exciting world title fights StubHub has hosted, that’s quite an accomplishment. Vanes Martirosyan brings a passionate Armenian fan base from nearby Glendale and an aggressive style of fighting. Best of all, he is ready and wants the fight. Golovkin vs. Martirosyan will definitely be the fiesta de résistance of Cinco De Mayo.”

“I’ve been training my ass off. I’m sparring, I’m on weight,” Martirosyan recently told the Los Angeles Times. “When they asked me if I’d take this fight, I said yes. I didn’t ask about money at all. It’s a good show for L.A. Cinco De Mayo. Armenians will pack the place. I have a lot of Mexican fans. I do believe in my heart I’m going to beat (Golovkin) because he’s never fought someone with my style.”

Golovkin, the 36-year-old wrecking ball who has reigned over the middleweight division as world champion since 2010, was a dominant amateur standout and Olympic Silver Medalist before turning professional in 2006. Since then, Golovkin has been on an historic trajectory, knocking out one opponent after another to unify the WBC, WBA, IBF and IBO World Middleweight Titles. During this run, Golovkin maintained an unblemished record that included a 23-fight knockout streak, which ended with a unanimous decision victory against then-undefeated world champion Danny Jacobs in March 2017. In September of the same year, Golovkin went the distance in a historic and controversial split draw against Alvarez, which most scored as a victory for Golovkin. The hotly-anticipated rematch, which had been scheduled for Cinco De Mayo, was canceled when Alvarez withdrew from the fight. Golovkin has sold out the most iconic arenas of the world, including T-Mobile Arena, Madison Square Garden, O2 Arena, The Fabulous Forum and StubHub Center.

Martirosyan, 31, is a two-time world title challenger and a former amateur standout who represented the U.S. in the 2004 U.S. Olympics, the same Summer Games where Golovkin won the silver medal. A native of Abovyan, Armenia, who fights out of Glendale, Calif., Martirosyan’s resume boasts NABF, NABO, WBO Inter-Continental, WBA International and WBC Silver championship victories against the likes of former world champions Ishe Smith and Kassim Ouma, as well as a draw against Erislandy Lara. Martirosyan’s only professional blemishes have been decision losses in world title fights against Demetrius Andrade, where Martirosyan scored a knockdown, and a rematch with Lara, as well as a controversial 10-round loss to WBC super welterweight champion Jermell Charlo. Standing at six-feet tall, Martirosyan will enter the ring as the taller and the younger gladiator. He is currently the WBC’s No. 1 world-rated super welterweight contender.

For more information, www.hbo.com/boxing; follow on Twitter @gggboxing, @hboboxing, @VanesBoxing, and @TomLoeffler1; become a fan on Facebook at

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According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin could be stripped of his IBF Middleweight title should he go through with a fight with Vanes Martirosyan.

IBF attorney Linda P. Torres sent a letter on Tuesday to attorney Ron DiNicola, who represents the Golovkin side, and Alex Dombroff, the attorney for promoter Lou DiBella, who promotes IBF mandatory challenger Sergiy Derevyanchenko, outlining the reasons for the IBF’s refusal the grant approval for Golovkin-Martirosyan, a source with knowledge of the letter told ESPN.

In the letter, Torres outlined the reasons for the IBF’s refusal the grant approval for Golovkin to defend against Martirosyan. The IBF’s reasons for refusing the approve the fight are same reasons why the proposed bout with Martirosyan (36-3-1, 21 KOs), 31, a 2004 U.S. Olympian from Glendale, California, has received so much criticism from boxing fans and media: Martirosyan is coming off a loss, he is a junior middleweight who would be moving up in weight and he has not fought in two years.

If Golovkin goes ahead with the bout against Martirosyan, the IBF said it would invoke its rule 5.H, which states, “If a champion participates in an unsanctioned contest within his prescribed weight limit, the title will be declared vacant whether the champion wins or loses the bout. The championships committee, with the approval of the (IBF) president, will then establish a new champion in that division in accordance with the procedures established and prescribed in these rules.”

The IBF rules do provide Golovkin with the ability to seek an exception to the mandatory bout, but the IBF’s reasons for not approving the fight in the first place would not bode well for him to get the exception granted. Loeffler acknowledged the letter from the IBF and told ESPN that Golovkin plans to fight May 5 and said their side will seek an exception, adding that he hopes the IBF will grant one.

“Gennady is a proud champion of the IBF and, as a unified world champion, he looks forward to remaining champion for a long time and defending his middleweight titles many more times,” Loeffler said.

Deerfield Beach, FL (March 16, 2017) – Eight-time national champion and former Gold Gloves champion Vanes Norkovich Martirosyan has signed a promotional contract with world-renowned Hall of Fame boxing promoter Don King.

King’s fighters have a busy next three months with Isaac Ekpo heading to Berlin, Germany to battle Tyron Zeuge for the WBA Super Middleweight championship on March 25; Amir Imam battling Terence Crawford in May for the super lightweight title; and Charles Hatley facing Jermell Charlo on May 27 in Oxon, Maryland for the WBC super welterweight mandatory title defense.

King also promotes former heavyweight world champion Bermane Stiverne (25-2-1, 21 Kos), a Haiti native living in Las Vegas, who is scheduled to face heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder in a WBC mandatory title defense.

The 30-year-Martirosyan, who hails from Glendale, CA, has a professional record of 36-3-1 with 21 knockouts. He represented the United States in the 2004 Olympics. He secured a spot on the U.S. team by beating Haiti’s Andre Berto in a qualifying tournament. Vanes was on the same Olympic team with Andre Ward and Andre Dirrell. Notable boxers he beat as an amateur included Austin Trout (three times), Berto and Tim Bradley. In the Olympics, he won his first bout convincingly, 45-20 against Algeria’s Benamar Meskine, but lost to Cuba’s Lorenzo Aragon Armenteros, 20-11 in the second round.

“I’m thrilled to sign with the legendary Don King,” said Martirosyan. “I’m certain Don will guide my career in the right direction and in doing so, will get me another chance to become a world champion.”

King is the architect and impresario behind the legendary The Rumble In the Jungle and Thrilla in Manila and countless other historic classic boxing events.

“Vanes Norkovich Martirosyan is an unbelievable fighter, who is knocking on the door to reach his goal of becoming a world champion,” said King. “He is in the prime of his boxing career and I’m excited to be working with Vanes and his team.”

Nicknamed the Nightmare, Martirosyan made his professional debut in April of 2005, when he beat Jesse Orta in a four-round unanimous decision.

Vanes won 25 straight fights and finally received a title shot on Dec. 19, 2009, when he stopped Willie Lee at 2:13 of the third round to take the NABF, WBO and NABO light middleweight titles.

He won the WBC Silver light middleweight title with an unbelievable comeback win against Saul Roman, who he knocked out at 2:58 of the 7th round on June 4, 2011. He suffered his first loss in 34 fights on Nov. 9, 2013 to Demetrius Andrade for the WBO light middleweight title.

His last fight was his third loss of his career as he lost a unanimous decision on May 21, 2016 to Erislandy Lara for the WBA and IBO light middleweight titles. Vanes had previously had a draw with Lara after an accidental head butt.

Erislandy Lara retained the WBA Super Welterweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Vanes Martirosyan in a rematch at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas.

Lara got in the sharper punches, while Martirosyan worked the body.  The fight was tactical on Lara’s standpoint.  Martirosyan was deducted a point in round 11 from a low blow.

Lara won by scores of 116-111 twice and 115-112 and is now 23-2-2.  Martirosyan is 36-3-1.

 

“My mother and kids are still there so it would be a great privilege to go fight in my native Cuba.  Everything is possible in this world.  I didn’t think I’d be champion of the world and here I am.

 

“I want to tell Team Vanes thank you for giving me the rematch.  I’m ready to fight anybody.  I’d like to fight Canelo.

 

“The Charlo brothers are my teammates and having three of us going back as champions is a great thing.”

 

Martirosyan, the aggressor throughout, disputed the decision.

 

“I was chasing him all night,” he said. “I put on the pressure. I thought I did enough to win. That was not a low blow.  Replays show the trunks were high.

 

“I never ducked anyone.  No one wanted to fight Lara.  I stepped up and fought him again.  I’ll fight anyone.”

Jerrmall Charlo retained the IBF Jr. Middleweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over former WBA champion Austin Trout.

Trout was very consistent, but Charlo was rewarded for landing the harder punches that closed the right eye of Trout and in round ten, Trout was cut over the eye for the first time in his career.

Charlo won by scores of 116-112 twice and 115-113 and is now 24-0.  Trout of Las Cruces, NM is 30-3.

Jermell Charlo stopped John Jackson in round eight to capture the WBC Super Welterweight championship.

Jackson boxed well by pot shotting and getting off to an early lead.  In round eight, Charlo landed a right to eye of Jackson.  Jackson froze and ate a huge left hook that drove Jackson into the corner and referee Tony Weeks stopped the fight at 51 seconds.

Charlo of Houston, TX is now 28-0 with 13 knockouts.  Jackson of the Virgin Islands is now 20-3.

“It wasn’t a struggle, it was a great experience,” said Charlo after his second successful title defense. “I want to thank God for allowing me and my twin brother to see this day.  History.

 

“Austin is a hell of a fighter.  He’s a beast. This was my first time going 12, but it didn’t matter because I knew I was in shape.

 

“It’s history,” said Jermell, who entered the match as the WBC No. 1 contender and became the 66^th ShoBox: The New Generation fighter to capture a world title.

I feel like I was ahead and I came up short.  He caught me with a punch and I was trying to fix my mouthpiece.  Then he hit me and I was out.  It hit me in the eye, but my mouthpiece was coming out.  I was trying to push in my mouthpiece back in and he hit me.  I knew where I was.  It dazed me, but I wasn’t knocked out.

 

“It’s boxing.  It was a great fight.  I felt I was winning the fight, I got caught and that was it.

 

“I dedicated the fight to my dad and I hope I didn’t let him down.  I fell short.  You win some and you lose some.”

 

Said the elder Jackson: “I’m proud. It took a lot for us to get this far.  I know my people are proud.  We are strong people and we are coming back.”

 

 

“We did it. A lot of fighters don’t come out of Houston and we did it.  I’m waiting for my brother next. We’ve been boxing for all of these years and it had to happen.

 

“I was behind.  He was boxing, he was moving around a lot.  That was unexpected of him.  I thought he was going to come out to brawl.  I had to make an adjustment and I did.

 

“When he started slowing down, I was able to catch him with a shot.  I knew that if he could have continued he could have come back so I had to hit him.”

 

“My game plan was to execute with the jab.  I knew he was going to try to stop me, but that didn’t happen. There’s no way you can tame a lion.

 

“It felt good because I knew my brother would get the job done.  We belong on this level.  We need these titles to get the big fights and we’re going to keep these titles to keep rising.

 

“I changed my mind — we’re going to stay right here (at 154). Making 154 pounds wasn’t as bad as everyone made it out to be.”

 

“Hat’s off to Jermall Charlo.  He fought a hell of a fight,” Austin Trout said. “I felt like I did enough to win.  They won’t give me a close decision, so it’s time to start taking these cats out.  But I can’t make excuses.  I fought my ass off, Charlo fought his ass off and hats off to him.

 

“I’m going to live to fight another day.  You’re going to see me back.  We’re warriors out here.’’

 

Follow all the action as Erislandy Lara defends the WBA Super Welterweight title in a rematch against Vanes Martirosyan; The action begins at 9 PM ET with the WBC Super Welterweight title bout between Jermell Charlo and John Jackson; Jermall Charlo defends his IBF Jr. Middleweight title against former world champion Austin Trout

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Round 1 Good counter right from Martirosyan..straight right..Good body shot…

Round 2 Lara lands a left and a counter

Round 3 Good left hook to the body from Martirosyan..Good counter from Lara..Body shot from Martirosyan..Right..left hook to the body..2 more. and another right to the body

Round 4 Nice hook from Lara..1-2…Right from Martirosyan…

Round 5 2 lefts to body from Martiroysan…combination from Lara..another combination and a straight left…Left from Martirosyan…

Round 6 1-2 from Lara,,lead left hook to body from Martirosyan..Counter from Lara..double left hook to body from Martirosyan..

Round 7 Right from Martirosyan..Lara lands a body combination..Martirosyan gets in a uppercut

Round 8 Lead left from Lara…Left to body from Martirosyan..Nice left from Lara

Round 9 2 left uppercuts from Martirosyan..Combination…Left from Lara…

Round 10 Left from Martirosyan..3 lefts…Good left from Lara…

Round 11 MARTIROSYAN DEDUCTED A POINT FOR LOW BLOWS…Combination for Lara..Jab..

Round 12 Counter jab from Lara…straight left..Martirosyan forcing action..Lead left from Lara..Martirosyan landing to head and body..Lara lands a straight left

Lara landed 162-424   Martirosyan was 94-474

115-112, 116-111, 116-111 for Lara

Round 1 Counter left from Trout..Jab from Charlo…Uppercut from Trout..Straight right from Charlo..

Round 2 Counter left from Charlo..Counter left from Trout..Jab from Charlo…Uppercut from Trout

Round 3 Good body work from Trout..Good right from Charlo…Hard right stings Trout…Body and right from Trout

Round 4 Charlo lands an uppercut..Left from Trout..Jab from both guys

Round 5 Hard rights from Charlo..Swelling around the right eye of Trout

Round 6 Right from Charlo…Good combination..lead right hook from Trout

Round 7 Good exchange..Charlo backing Trout up..combination to the head..double jab, straight hand..Good right uppercut from Trout…Jab from Charlo..lead right..Straight left from Trout…straight left…counter right from Charlo..

Round 8 Counter left from Trout…Counter right from Charlo..Good right..

Round 9 Double-Jab and right from Charlo…Exchanging jabs…Combination and straight left from Trout..counter left..Jab…stiff jab from Charlo..

Round 10 Right from Charlo..Cut over the right eye of Trout (1st time in his career that he is cut)..Counter left from Trout..counter right…left to the body..Stiff jab from Charlo…

Round 11: Counter left from Trout..Body shot from Charlo…Good combination from Trout..Right to body from Charlo..Good lefts from both guys…Good left uppercut from Charlo at the bell

Round 12 Counter left from Trout..Check hook..counter left..Jab from Charlo..counter left to the body from Trout..Good counter right from Charlo..good exchange…..

115-113, 116-112, 116-112 for Jermall Charlo

Round 1 Charlo lands a left..Jackson lands a big left hook..

Round 2 Jab from Charlo…Counter left from Jackson..Counter

Round 3 Jackson lands an uppercut..Left hook to body from Charlo

Round 4 Nice left hook to the body from Jackson..Jab and right from Charlo..right uppercut and left from Jackson..good right uppercut inside

Round 5 Charlo lands a left hook…good body and head combo with the right

Round 6 Counter hook from Charlo…

Round 7 Nice right from Charlo…Jackson lands a combination…left hook..body shot

Round 8 HUGE LEFT AND JACKSON IS LIMP ON HIS FEET AND THE FIGHT IS OVER

 

 

LAS VEGAS (May 19, 2016) – The six elite 154-pound fighters competing on Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® tripleheader went face-to-face for the first time Thursday at the final press conference before they enter the ring live on SHOWTIME from The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

In attendance Thursday and headlining the event were WBA Super Welterweight World Champion Erislandy Lara and top contender Vanes Martirosyan. Televised coverage begins live on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT and features IBF Junior Middleweight World Champion Jermall Charlo taking on former champion Austin Trout plus undefeated challenger Jermell Charlo battling hard-hitting John Jackson for the vacant WBC Super Welterweight World Title.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on sale now. Ticket prices start at $39, and are available online at www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com or through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000;www.ticketmaster.com.

Twin brothers Jermall and Jermell Charlo celebrated their 26th birthday Thursday and were celebrated with a cake at the final press conference that took place at Rose. Rabbit. Lie. at The Cosmopolitan. On Saturday they look to become the first twin brothers to hold world titles at the same time in the same weight class.

Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday:

ERISLANDY LARA

“I plan on going in there and getting into my zone and making the adjustments that will allow me to be victorious.

“One difference between this fight and our last fight is that I’m coming into this fight 100 percent healthy. I’m not making any excuses but I had a fractured knuckle going into our first fight. I still felt I was winning the fight. This time I’m not going to leave any doubt about who is the best.

“I have no pressure on me. I feel calm. Part of that comes with experience but I also know that I’m going to go in there and execute my game plan like I always do.

“I’m always stuck in controversial fights because of my fighting style.

“I’m excited to be sharing the stage with the Charlo brothers. We have trained together, so being part of this with them is great.

“Vanes’s a lot more passive than he was for the first fight. He was telling me I better be ready.

“I’m going to do what I have to do. Put my game plan together, put my punches together, I’m going to do everything that I have to do to be victorious on Saturday night.

On how he’s improved from the first fight…
“The fundamentals are always there. Every fighter gets better with every fight. You get a little bit more experience and that’s the difference.”

VANES MARTIROSYAN

“I’ve had a tremendous camp. I have a great team. I’ve had incredible sparring partners and I can’t wait for the real thing on Saturday.

“I’m in the best shape of my life and I’ve never been so ready. I don’t have to tell you what I’m going to do up here, because you’re going to see it on Saturday night. Actions speak louder than words. This is going to be the best Vanes you’ll ever see.

“This time around I am definitely going to be more aggressive. I cannot wait for Saturday.

“There is a different feeling for me in this fight than ever before. It’s for a world title, this is as big as it gets.

“It is the ‘Dream’ versus the ‘Nightmare,’ and you’ll definitely see the ‘Nightmare’ on Saturday night.

On what he saw in Lara’s eyes when they faced off…
“A fighter looking at another fighter. I see hunger in both eyes.

“A lot of the first fight, I was kind of inexperienced but we’ve matured a lot throughout the years. Four years into this game, a lot of experience, a lot of knowledge in the game so there’s a lot I learned from the first fight.

“The whole division is here, it’s awesome. They should do this more often and I’m happy that SHOWTIME put together such a great card.”

JERMALL CHARLO

“Every fight on this card could have been the main event. To be on a card like this with all these great fighters is exciting.

“Boxing has a lot of really big fights with the Charlos coming in the future. We’re going to take it one step at a time. This is a great fight that we have in front of us.

“I’m very proud of my brother, to have accomplished what he has at 26-years-old, coming from where we came from.

“This is a huge fight for me. This is more to me than winning a world title. I put my all into this. None of Trout’s experience matters. I’m a real lion and I’m going to show it.

“Austin Trout is just a name to me. He beat Cotto, so what? I have work to do. I’m focused on getting the job done.

“We (the brothers) both do different things, but we also have the same skills and the same power. No one in the division can match up to us.

“We always thought that we would be winners and that we would be competing at the top level. Now it’s time to make history. We want to prove why we’re at the top.

“Me and my brother have always wanted to be champions at the same time. There’s never been anything like this. This era, you will get a chance to enjoy us. We’ve worked very hard to get here and we’re going to reign on this level.

“After this, I’m coming for the (160-pound fighters). To be a top pound-for-pound fighter you need to dominate different divisions and that is my goal. That doesn’t mean I’m struggling with weight. I feel good right now but I think I will be even stronger at 160.

“May 21 there is nothing that is going to stop me from losing my belt.”

AUSTIN TROUT

“It’s no coincidence that I’m back at the top making a title run. I paid my dues and put in all the hard work necessary.

“I have nothing bad to say about Jermall as a person or a fighter. But at the end of the day, the history will be my own. I’m going to use him for my legacy, not the other way around.

“I worked hard to get here. I’m sharp and on weight. There is nothing that I feel like he can do to beat me that night.

“Charlo took a chance with this fight. There is no mistake in taking a chance. But will the chance end up in his favor? I hardly doubt it. This won’t be easy. I’m never in easy fights. They’re always great fights.

“Size won’t be a problem. He still has to make 154 pounds.

“I want to thank Jermall for taking this fight. He’s doing something that a lot of people won’t do. But at the end of the day, I’m going to be the lion tamer. I’m going to tame that lion.’’

What flaws do you see?…
“I don’t want to tell you about his flaws because he might fix them by Saturday, but we see a couple flaws.

On if it would hurt him to move up to 160…
“It may, it may not. We’re not looking at any extra edge or wishing to put all our eggs in one basket. What we’re banking on is our skillset and our grip to come out victorious. Whether it hurts him or not, it’s not going to matter. Only thing it’s going to do is make it easier for me.

“I’ve been there, I’ve been to the deep waters. I’ve seen many different types of strategies and styles. In a sense, there’s nothing that he brings to the table that I haven’t seen before.

“I’ve got a big dog in me that you’re going to see Saturday night. You’re going to see what should have been the main event. Me and Charlo, it’s going to be a great fight and I hope y’all tune in because I’m taking that belt.”

JERMELL CHARLO

“I appreciate everyone involved in putting this fight together. To me this is a card that people need to be pay attention to. I believe that everyone on this card is going to give it their all, because we all motivated each other to be here.

“I’m fighting John Jackson, the son of a legend. I don’t believe John Jackson will be able to live up to his dad and if his dad ever had to face me, I would have beat him too.

“We’re getting more and more experience. People thought that Gabriel Rosado was too big of a test for me but I dominated that fight. I’m going to pass any test they put in front of me. Over the course of time, you’re eventually going to have to say we the experience.

“I’m proud of what my brother has done. His success motivates me. He’s a world champion. These are the kind of things we look forward to.

“This is our time. There is no more that we can say. There is a lot that’s coming ahead of us.

“I’m coming to win. I trained hard. It’s time for a world title for me. I have to fulfill my end of the bargain. John Jackson has been in wars, but so have I. This is our time, me and my brother’s.

“Being on the same card as my brother is already a high standard so being on a card with the rest of the undercard guys, I’m honored and ready to show what I have to do. I’m ready to make history. I’m ready to win this belt and enjoy my vacation after.

“I’m sticking with 154 right now. I would love to go to 160 because it’s easier for me but because it’s easier that’s why I wouldn’t go up. Making 154 for him is easy as well, he just sees other options.”

JOHN JACKSON

“I’m extremely blessed to be here. I’m looking to make history. My dad was a champion and I’m going to do the same thing.

“Jermell is just selling the fight. We don’t take anything he says personally. We’ll humble him and put him in his place.

“This is a dream come true and the Jackson legacy will live on.

“It’s going to be a great night. This could be the best fight of the card, easily. If you watch my career, every single fight I bring it. You’re going to see action and explosiveness.’’

On Jermell Charlo’s comments about his father…
“That’s disrespectful. My dad paid his dues and to talk about my dad like that is kind of disrespectful. It’s not getting to me. Fighters use that to try to get in your head but it’s fine, I’ll let him pay in the ring.’’

If Jermell’s ego is getting to him…
“Yeah, he needs to humble himself. That was a little out of line. But we’ll see what he looks like in the ring.”

On what flaws he sees in his game…
“He has a lot of flaws. How he leans forward and waits a lot. But his style is perfect for my style. I always bring it and give 100 percent and we’re looking for a stoppage.

“It’s going to be explosive don’t miss it. SHOWTIME, it’s going down.”

# # #

For more information visit www.sports.sho.com and www.mayweatherpromotions.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @LaraBoxing, @VanesBoxing, @FutureOfBoxing, @NoDoubtTrout, @TwinCharlo, @MayweatherPromo and @Swanson_Comm, become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing and www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions

LAS VEGAS (May 18, 2016) – Fight week kicked off Wednesday with media workouts at the UNLV Boxing Gym for the six fighters competing in the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXINGâ tripleheader of 154-pound world title fights this Saturday, May 21 from The Chelsea inside of The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

Working out Wednesday and headlining the event were WBA Super Welterweight World Champion Erislandy Lara and top contender Vanes Martirosyan. Televised coverage begins live on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features IBF Junior Middleweight World Champion Jermall Charlo taking on former champion Austin Trout plus undefeated challenger Jermell Charlo battling hard-hitting John Jackson for the vacant WBC Super Welterweight World Title.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on sale now. Ticket prices start at $39, and are available online at www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com or through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000; www.ticketmaster.com.

Here is what the fighters had to say Wednesday:

ERISLANDY LARA

“I’m not surprised that I’m fighting Vanes again. It’s my job to fight whoever they put in front of me.

“I felt that I was a better fighter than him the first time and I’m a little better in almost every area since. One of the most important things is my way of training and my way of getting prepared. I feel that I am much more mature.

“I like being back in Las Vegas again. I’m definitely prepared to do what I do – and that’s win.

“After I win Saturday, I would love to fight GGG or Canelo, but I would prefer GGG. It’s not frustrating that I’m not fighting the biggest names all the time. I’m a headliner.

“I don’t feel any pressure. I’m just going to do my job and just keep winning. As long as I keep winning, everything will take care of itself.”

VANES MARTIROSYAN

“I’ve been fighting as a pro for over 10 years. This is definitely the most important fight of my career. It’s do or die. Win and I move 10 steps forward, lose and I go 10 steps backwards.

“Beating Lara this time is 10 times bigger than if I had won the first time. Lara has gotten better, maybe his style hasn’t changed much, but I feel that I’m much better too.

“There has been lots of changes in my camp. All for the better. I’m more focused in training. We’ve gone back to doing things the way we used to. I’ve really been dedicated. More than ever.

“I’ve given 100 percent every single day in the gym. This is going to be a tough fight. I hope he comes to me. It makes for a good fight. Actually, I think he is going to come forward a little more than people expect, but I’m prepared to chase him. Whatever it takes to be effective.

“If he is aggressive, once he feels my power, he is going to go back to what he does best – running.

“I’m coming to give my all.”

JERMALL CHARLO

“All of the lost opportunities were part of my journey to get to this point. I know people aren’t going to give me my credit for fighting Trout because people will feel like he has had his time in his career, which we all do, but now it’s my time and I’m taking every opportunity I can.

“I look back at the situations I’ve had to get here and it’s exciting. I have a big name opponent in Austin Trout and I feel like the underdog. I’m the young buck in the game who’s trying to be the lion. Although I do have the belt, its because I had to take it from someone that didn’t deserve it.

“Every time Austin Trout gets to this level, he fails. He didn’t fight the same Miguel Cotto, he just wasn’t himself that night. I have to come in there and take what’s mine.

“Whatever happens, I’m excited. We train, we prepare for 12 rounds. I’m prepared for whatever I need to be.

“I’m excited to be here and fight and be able to support my brother. We’re able to roll through anything and keep looking forward. The good and the bad.

“Everything I’ve been through; I try to move forward every fight. I got the belt from Cornelius Bundrage, I defended the belt and now I have the opportunity to fight Austin Trout – a bigger name.”

AUSTIN TROUT

“I take my hat off to him. He’s undefeated. He’s a champion. I’ve been through more to get to where I’m at. I’m more of a dangerous fighter.

“He’s not one to shy away from a challenge. I feel like I’m a better fighter. I’m shocked that I got a title shot this fast. I thought I was going to have to go back to the drawing board. The opportunity came and I’m so excited.

“I’ve been working on my inside game. The things outside of the ring – tightening up myself as a person. It’s been helping me in the ring.”

On Jermall predicting a knockout:
“He’s dreaming. Everyone has dreams, but I’ve been known to bust people’s bubbles. No one has been able to knock me out. He thinks he’s a great man. A better man than Canelo or Lara? He’s tripping.

“I’m probably his toughest test to date.

“The next chapter would be to fight my mandatory, unify and be undisputed champion.”

JERMELL CHARLO

“This is history in the making. It’s extremely exciting. We never really thought about it like this. We knew we would be boxing and winning titles, but this is special. We have the opportunity to both be world champions at the same time.

“We don’t know what to expect on Saturday, but we’re excited to put on a show and make a mark.

“I have to get in there and prove to my opponent and the rest of the world that I’m dangerous and I will be victorious.

“We always wanted to fight. We always want to prove ourselves to each other. About everything. We caused trouble but found ourselves in boxing.

“I thought my opportunity would come first, but everything happens for a reason. Look at this moment. It’s motivated me and now it’s paying off.

“The new training camp has been an adjustment, not being with my brother every day. I’ve been able to define who I am and my brother is able to do his thing.

“My motivation is that I was once with my brother everyday. What pushed me so much in camp was knowing that I’m not with my brother everyday, but I’m still in the same shape, even better and stronger. Not through coaches, but in general. Mentally I’m the same or better. We didn’t get worse because we split. The point is what we are doing to stay in shape physically and mentally to be the best we can be.”

JOHN JACKSON

“This is going to be a good fight. It could be the best fight on the card. I’m an explosive fighter so expect fireworks.

“My dad has given me advice my whole career. I have a lot of great insight about how to manage my emotions. He’s instrumental in my corner. I’m 100 percent ready.

“There is a lot of pressure on Jermell, but I’m sure he’s not over thinking it. I’m expecting the best Charlo in there.

“I go in there to go to war. Whatever happens, happens. I’m going to leave it all in the ring and give the fans a great show.

“I’m happy to be the underdog. I like to be the underdog and prove people wrong. I’m happy to be in this position. I was an underdog in the Olympics. I love the pressure. He has more to lose than I do.

“I’ve been dreaming about this moment my whole life. I’m 100 percent ready for this and I can’t wait to perform under the lights.

“Make sure you tune-in, because I’m going all out for the belt.”

LEONARD ELLERBE, CEO of Mayweather Promotions

“We’re very busy. We are going full steam ahead. We are doing events, putting butts in the seats and promoting our fighters.

“This is a great card. Anytime you can put the top fighters in a single weight class on the same show, it is bound to be a great event for the fans and for the sport in general.

“We’re happy to be working with SHOWTIME once again to put on another tremendously competitive fight card for the fans.”

For more information visit www.sports.sho.com and www.mayweatherpromotions.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @LaraBoxing, @VanesBoxing, @FutureOfBoxing, @NoDoubtTrout, @TwinCharlo, @MayweatherPromo and @Swanson_Comm, become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxingand www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions

LONDON (May 17, 2016) – BoxNation will air a world title tripleheader exclusively live this weekend as the light-middleweight division takes centre stage.

Cuban hotshot Erislandy Lara rematches U.S. Olympian and top contender Vanes Martirosyan as he puts his WBA light-middleweight world title on the line at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas this Saturday night.

The pair met previously in 2012 in an intriguing matchup with neither man claiming the victory as the judges scored it a draw after the fight was stopped in the ninth round due to an accidental headbutt that caused a cut to the eye of Martirosyan.

Both men will now be looking to settle an old score and are out to stake their claim in a division stacked with top talent, including Liverpool’s Liam Smith who is set to defend his WBO world title exclusively live on BoxNation on June 4th.

“I’m looking forward and I’m excited to be making my 2016 debut in the boxing capital of Las Vegas come May 21,” said Lara. “I can’t wait to get in the ring as I have unfinished business to take care of with Vanes. I’m the champion and will remain the champion. I will leave no doubt who the better fighter is and will show the world that I’m the best fighter in the 154-pound division.”

“Erislandy Lara and I have unfinished business from our first fight,” said Martirosyan. “I had him beat that night and I’ll beat him on Saturday night. My time is now and I know I will be the new champion of the world on May 21.”

The card also sees IBF light-middleweight world champion Jermall Charlo out in action as he faces his toughest fight to date when he squares up against former world champion Austin Trout.

Trout has shared the ring with some of boxing’s biggest names including Canelo Alvarez and Miguel Cotto and will be looking to make a major comeback to the 154-pound division with a victory over the so far undefeated Charlo.

Twin brother Jermell will also feature on the night when he takes on the big-punching John Jackson, son of one of boxing’s hardest hitters Julian Jackson, for the vacant WBC light-middleweight world title.

25-year-old Charlo like his sibling is undefeated and will be making his first stab at the world title.

“This will be a history-making, record-breaking night for the Charlo twins,” said Jermall Charlo. “It means everything to us to be able to fight in two championship fights on the same card. This is everything we’ve ever dreamed of. This is going to be a great night of boxing and I’m preparing myself for war. Austin Trout is a seasoned vet. He’s fought world champions and beaten a future Hall of Famer in Miguel Cotto. This is one of my biggest fights to date, but I’m preparing the same way I always do. I’m going to be on my ‘A’ game. I’m ready to make history.”

“I’m extremely excited and grateful for the opportunity to fight for the world title on May 21,” said Trout. “It’s a twice-in-a-lifetime chance for a second world title and I’m going to take full advantage of it. I’ve sat at the champions’ table before and am ready to go back again and eat from it again. Destiny brought me here not to lose, but to win. I’m going to show up and show out and win this world title.”

“This is a huge fight for me,” said Jermell Charlo. “It’s my first opportunity to fight for a title and my brother is on the same card defending his belt. There have never been identical twin brothers that are both world champions in the same weight class. We’re going to go out there and make history and send a message to the whole division. I’m excited to get in the ring and I know John Jackson is too. This is an important time in my career and I will be well prepared. Let the best man win.”

“I’m very grateful for this opportunity to become a world champion,” said Jackson. “I’ve been training very hard for the last two months for this fight and come Saturday night I will be victorious over Jermell Charlo and realise my lifelong dream of becoming a world champion, like my dad, the great Julian Jackson.”

To watch Lara v Charlo v Trout exclusively live on BoxNation (Sky/Freeview/Virgin/TalkTalk/Online & App) this Saturday night, go to boxnation.com to subscribe.

– ENDS –
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Leonard Ellerbe
I would like to thank everyone for joining us on the call today. We have an exciting tripleheader of Super Welterweight World Title fights. It will be headlined by Cuban sensation and WBA Super Welterweight World Champion, Erislandy Lara against exciting challenger and 2004 U.S. Olympian, Vanes Martirosyan in a rematch of their 2012 technical draw.

In our co-main event, and up-and-coming star, the IBF Junior Middleweight World Champion, Jermall Charlo taking on the toughest challenge of his career in former World Champion, Austin Trout.

We’ll open up our telecast with Jermall’s twin brother, the undefeated Jermell Charlo, who will take on the hard-hitting and talented of John Jackson for the vacant WBC Super Welterweight World Title.

Tickets are on sale now and they start at $39.00. They can also be purchased at Ticketmaster online and all Ticketmaster locations, as well as on the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas Web site.

Our events will be televised by Showtime Championship Boxing live at 9 pm Eastern Time and 6 pm Pacific Time. And promoted by Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions.

And before we get into the call, I’d like to introduce our co-promoter Brittany Goossen Brown. She’s the VP of Operations at TGB Promotions.

Brittany Goossen Brown
Yes, thank you Leonard. TGB Promotions is very excited to be partnering with Mayweather Promotions and Showtime on this outstanding triple-header next Saturday, May 21st, live from the Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, the Boxing Capital of the World.

All three fights promise to be exciting action from the moment that bell rings. Get your tickets now, and we will look forward to seeing everyone in Vegas next week.

L. Ellerbe
Thank you, Brittany. Before we get to the fighters, I’d like to introduce Stephen Espinoza, the Executive Vice President and General Manager of Showtime Sports.

Stephen Espinoza
Thank you very much, Leonard. We’re also very excited for this highly anticipated card, and at a time in the sport where one lesson we sometimes hear; why aren’t the best fighting the best? That’s exactly what the fighters on this card are doing. It is the best fighting the best. We have five of the top six fighters in the division. They’re fighting each other. They could have taken easier fights. But they didn’t. And that’s the kind of spirit we have on this fight.

So we’ve got some intriguing story lines. A rematch of a very highly-contested fight. Twin brothers fighting for world titles. First time that’s ever happened on the same card. But most of all, we’ve got the top fighters in this division fighting in tough fights, and that’s exactly what our schedule is characterized this year.

We are proud to be involved, and we can’t wait until May 21.

L. Ellerbe
Thank you, Stephen. As Stephen’s mentioned, we have all six fighters on the call today to talk about their coming bouts and to answer questions from all of you guys.

So I’d like to introduce the first bout. We have John Jackson. He’ll be fighting Jermell Charlo. John Jackson comes to us with a 20 and 2 record and 15 KOs. He’s fighting out of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. He’s the son of a former World Champion. He represented the Virgin Islands at the 2008 Olympics and won his first 13 pro fights after turning pro in 2009.

So let’s introduce John Jackson. John, you want to say a few words?

John Jackson
Yes, hey, man, I just want to say thanks for having me. It’s a privilege and an honor, and I’m ready for Showtime.

L. Ellerbe
All right. Okay. Next up, the Charlo twin brother. We have Jermell Charlo. He comes to us with a 27 and 0 record with 12 KOs. Fighting out of Houston, Texas, and training in Dallas with Derrick James, who’s also the current trainer of Errol Spence. Him and his brother Jermall are intending to become the first twin brothers to hold world titles in the same Division.

He’s 25 years old and he owns victories over Vanes Martirosyan and Gabriel Rosado, and he will look to leave the ring as the World Champion on Saturday, May 21st. Jermell, would you like to say a few words?

Jermell Charlo
Thank you guys for having me on this call right now. I got to get back into training, obviously. All we do is work. So you know, I come just as prepared as I’m supposed to be.

This is my opportunity, this is my chance, this is my moment. My brother’s had his before. He’s going to defend his title, and I’m excited to be in the same venue fighting on the same card with my twin brother and a stable mate, Erislandy Lara, which is another true blessing to my career.

John Jackson is a hell of a fighter. He comes to fight. He going to come bringing the punching power and all the extra things that he’s prepared himself for. And I’m going to step up to the plate and do what I’m supposed to do. I get one opportunity. I get one boxing career, and this is my moment, and this is the chance that I’ve taken. I have to go get it.

So all due respect to John Jackson and his team, but I’m not laying down for nothing. I’m going to get what I deserve and what’s mine. And I will be bringing a WBC back to Houston, Texas, and representing like I’m supposed to.

Q
Jermell, I know you’ve had title fights fall through before, and I know that you have more fights than your brother. How psyched are you that this title fight has eventually come to fruition?

Jermell Charlo
I’m excited. God has timing on everything, and I know for a fact that this is that time and this fight is going to be for it to be reckoned, it’s going to be a fight that’s like steals the show. Three great fights on the card, so regardless of what happened in the past, I don’t look at it that way. I look at it as this fight is the fight, and this is the one that I need to conquer and take care of.

Q
Do you expect to stop John Jackson in this fight, or go the distance?

Jermell Charlo
I prepare myself for 12 rounds. I prepare myself for more than 12 rounds. I prepare myself to go 12 rounds. Whatever happens in this fight happens, and I’m prepared for it.

Q
Both you and your brother are fighting on this card. Is that twice the pressure?

Jermell Charlo
No, we did it before. We’ve done this before. We fought on the same cards in amateurs. We fought on the same cards on the pros. Even we fought on the same cards on Showtime. We’re going to do it again.

Q
How much sibling rivalry is there with you and your brother?

Jermell Charlo
It’s pretty intense. You know, we compete with each other about who’s in the best shape; and it’s sibling rivals but never actual rivals. So, my competition is greater than just beating John Jackson. It’s just performing well in front of my twin brother, who will be in the back locker room cheering me on.

Q
Being world champions at the same time, is it something that you and your brother contemplated for a long time? And what would it mean to you to actually accomplish that?

Jermell Charlo
We never actually thought about it as it is now. We knew we always wanted to be world champions like John Jackson and his brother thought.. You know, him and his brother would like to be World Champions, but we never thought about it being on the same card, the same night, making history.

So it makes it even more intense. It makes it much bigger stakes for me. John Jackson is going to come, he’s going to do what he has to do, but my job is to make history, so with that being said, I’m going in the ring with the mindset of winning, making history. Winning the WBC, and taking home a nice purse.

Q
Have you thought about that it can’t possibly happen if you don’t take care of your business, because he’s going after you?

Jermell Charlo
Yes. So I mean, knowing that I got to go first has never been a problem. I was the one that, when we were younger, I would pop off first. If somebody got into it with me and my brother, I’m jumping off first. I don’t want nobody getting on my brother. So that’s how I take it. I look like, I’m going to be the one to go crazy. I’ll be the one that takes the chances in the family. So if I got to be the one that go first, oh well, let it be.

Q
Have you given thought to what happened to John Jackson against Andy Lee?

Jermell Charlo
Well, you know, I prepare for everything, and I’m preparing to show you guys a lot more power that I am underrated, and I have probably, just as well enough power as much than – my twin brother is extremely strong.

I’ve been doing some great things throughout this camp and developing even before I knew I was taking this fight, I already knew who was Number 1 and who was Number 2 and what fight had to be in place.

I was already in camp, before camp, in pre-camp, you dig? So I know for a fact that Andy Lee did what he had to do, but the style that he fight – and John Jackson brings a different style, and it’s not necessarily a style that I’ve never seen before, but it would be a great fight. So I can’t predict what’s coming up, but I am going to play to my strengths as much as possible.

Q
Can you talk about the fact that you’ve had to sit by and watch your World Title fights in the past go by the wayside for different reasons that were out of your control and watch your brother win the title as you waited your time.

But also, what does it mean to the rest of your family to have this as a possibility? Not just you and your brother; your parents and grandparents and uncles and stuff.

Jermell Charlo
My whole family – yes, everyone is excited. Everyone will be in Vegas. It’s something that we’ve all seen, the reason why we box for, so I can’t really, you know, explain how excited they are, but I know how I felt that I – I’ve seen World Titles slip by the wayside, but that’s not, that’s nothing I can control.

That’s something that I had no control over even (they ranked) Number 2 on the IBF. My brother grabbed that title, and I was extremely happy for him to have that title. More happy for him, just as well as happy for myself.

So when we do, when he do as he do, it’s as if I’m doing it myself, and nothing, there’s nothing more than I can actually explain when it comes down to I’m excited. I’m excited to be in this fight right now.

Q
What is it like to have the chin of your entire family questioned? And how did that make you feel going in to this fight?

J. Jackson
It doesn’t make me feel any way, you know? That’s the job, that’s you guys’ job to come up with stories and question everything. So you know, I just go in there and do my job, and that’s to fight and box, you know.

So I know Jermell is going to come in there ready, and I’m going to be ready, so I’m expecting a great fight, man. And I expect to put on a good show, you know, for all the fans.

Q
And what is it like to hear him say, you know, Jermell say, you know, he has as much power as his brother. And obviously, you know, he intends to show that against you.

J. Jackson
Yes. I don’t feel that he is – everyone just thinks he has speed, alone, but I know he has a little pop, too, as well. You know, we been just studying and watching tapes. So we know he has a little pop as well. I don’t know why reporters, you know, don’t give him no credit for what he has, but he has a little pop as well, but we’ll be ready for everything, so.

Q
Jermell, you threw out the first pitch at an Astros game. What game was that? What was it like to be embraced by the crowd, and did you get, you know, some juice from your fans going into this?

Jermell Charlo
Marketing is everything, and we do what we have to do. I don’t remember; I don’t even remember who they was playing against. I’m really not much of a baseball fan. I did watch the game; it was exciting.

I’m sponsored by the Astros of Houston, which is a great (team), and it was fun. It was exciting to sit and, you know, throw a pitch and make sure I threw a strike. That was one I did not practice. That was something. So you know, it was a game that the Astros actually won after losing so many games, so I was excited to be there and to be a part of that.

Q
Being that that was your first time on the mound, were you nervous? Did you look at – how did ball leave your hand? Did it go right over the plate? You sure it was a strike?

Jermell Charlo
It was a strike. Posted it on social media, and I was nervous; not necessarily nervous because of the, you know, the atmosphere or the people. I was nervous because I wanted to make sure that I didn’t throw it like, if you think that, and I didn’t – it was more the excitement.

Q
If you can be that accurate and throw a – maybe come up with a home run against Jackson?

Jermell Charlo
Like I stated before, I’m going to do what I have to do. I can’t predict what’s going to happen, but I’m very extra-excited and that’s going to be bizarre.

Q
Jermell, your comment on your brother’s improvement over the years and as a fighter and, you know, how much has he improved, you know, maybe in the last year or 18 months?

Jermell Charlo
My brother has improved, I mean, from 18 months, man, I would say he’s almost made like a completely 360 spin on how much he’s improved. And he’s spiraling up.

I know for a fact that there’s some stuff, like, for my brother’s in trouble, but once you get to the top, like he knows you’re going to have to fight some of the best, and so that is just elevating his game.

My brother changed a lot of things and kept – I don’t want to speak for him, because I know he’ll be speaking real soon. So, and I’m very, I’m very impressed at how he’s – a lot of people talk about his guy moving up in weight.

Even this and that, I can’t believe how he’s changed, and how much nutrition has changed, and how much everything has made a big amount of, you know. I’m just grateful to see how great my brother has played a part in his improvement and training.

L. Ellerbe
Now shifting over to the co-main event, which is going to be a very exciting matchup IBF World Champion Jermall Charlo and former World Champion, Austin Trout.

The next fighter I’m about to introduce- very, very tough guy. He has a wealth of experience. He’s been in with Lara, Canelo, Cotto, Delvin Rodriguez, Joey Hernandez – just to name a few. He comes to us from Las Cruces, New Mexico. He now trains in DC with a very good friend of mine and the outstanding underrated trainer named Barry Hunter.

A former World Champion at 154 pounds, he defeated Miguel Cotto in New York in December, 2012. And he’s won four fights in a row heading into this World Title fight.. He comes to us with a 30 and 2 record with 17 KOs. Former World Champion, Austin Trout. Austin?

Austin Trout
Okay. Thanks for having me. Happy to be here. The introduction was great. I’m ready to be asked questions. Unless you want me to just talk about myself. I could do that all day.

Q
Just your thoughts on facing Charlo on May 21st. You know, what kind of a fighter is he, and what do you kind of been preparing for?

A. Trout
Well, first, it’s, he’s a good fighter. You know, possibly a great fighter. I’m very excited about this opportunity to fight and win the title.

Very few people get a once in a lifetime chance you can’t be – I’ve had the pleasure of having two chances. I’m definitely not going to let this pass me by. I’m very excited to pull this fight. It’s a good fight for everybody. A good fight for me, a good fight for Jermall and a good fight for the fans. You know, everybody is going to win at the end of the day, but I have to have my hand raised when the night’s over.

L. Ellerbe
Okay, we have Jermall Charlo comes forward with a 23 and 0 record of 18 KOs. He’s from Houston, Texas. He trains with Ronnie Shields, who’s also another outstanding trainer and very underrated.

He won his World Title with a dominant turnaround stopping Cornelius Bundrage, known as K-9. And he defended with another stoppage this time over Wilky Campfort. Jermall, would you like to say a few words? Jermall? Sorry – Jermall, start again, please.

Jermall Charlo
Thanks everybody, I’m happy to be here.

Q
Were you surprised that after the loss you took against Lara that it took 2-1/2 years to get back in a position to fight for another World Title?

Austin Trout
To be honest, man, I wasn’t surprised that it’s taken this long because really I thought I’d have to start from the bottom going back. Other people’s going back to the lower fights.

So I was blessed to be able to have my fights televised. Not necessarily the stomping grounds hero, but you were probably going to ask what I was prepared for. It’s surprising that it took 2-1/2 years. I guess I’m surprised that it didn’t take longer.

In boxing I feel like they’re quick to throw you away. I felt like they didn’t want me when I was in first place. You know all the fights that I got into, I wasn’t necessarily supposed to win. I wasn’t supposed to win the Cotto fight.

You know, everything was stacked against me so I could never fight, and when Lara beat me how he did, I was like, that’s it. They’re really going to push me to the bottom; I have to start from zero to climb my way back to where I got to.

Q
Jermall, this is the first title fight you’re having against a really highly-regarded opponent, compared to those other two guys. Your thoughts on that opinion?

Jermall Charlo
Yes. I’m going into the fight as if I don’t have the title, you know? I’m trained, and I’m prepared for the worst and the best of Austin Trout. And you know, as you can see I fought back to back, and I’ll continue to step up the competition. And that’s just due to my management and everyone that’s behind me. They seem to be making the right moves.

Q
Is it your opinion that, at least on paper, that Austin Trout is your most significant, most difficult, most established opponent?

Jermall Charlo
No. Austin Trout is a familiar name, familiar face around me and around the boxing world. I’m just as prepared as I was for Campfort as I was K-9 and the fights before. We trained very hard. He knows that we are going in to the fight expecting to get ready for a battle.

Q
Can you just give me your thoughts about being in a position where if your brother wins the opening fight that takes place before yours, and you win, that you will, in fact, , create an interesting kind of history in boxing that’s never happened before. What do you think about that?

Jermall Charlo
I mean, really, to me personally, honestly, we’re not with all of the pressure and all of the, you know, the words that come with just being great and doing everything we have to do, we plan on making history regardless.

And this just happened to be the time where we both hold the World Championships in the division. And I’m not trying to put pressure on my brother, I just know, I need him to go, do his job in that we both come out victorious and make history.

Q
How will you celebrate it if you both accomplish this?

Jermall Charlo
Like we always celebrate the majority of our fights. You know, have fun with each other, take a little vacation, and just talk about in that our (minds set). And then, you know, celebrate our birthdays. It’s going to be, you know, two days or four or five, which we sacrifice, and then and there’s just a lot of things we’re going to celebrate with.

Q
How will you handle it mentally if your brother gets beat that night and then you can’t make the history, but then you still have to go and do your job and, you know, do what you have to do to retain your title? How will that impact you? Have you given any thought to how you’ll deal with that on a mental basis, an emotional basis?

Jermall Charlo
Well, like I say, you know, we really not so big on putting the pressure on each other, and the work of the fight is going to be, you know, both of us getting our hand raised.

You know, knock on wood, and you know, worst case come, you know, we’re both prepared for the worst. But you know, I’m not necessarily worried about making history. I’m just worried about taking care of my fast end against Austin Trout.

Q
Would you and your brother ever entertain that idea if you could unify titles?

Jermall Charlo
I mean no. We would it have anything to prove fighting each other. And I’m pretty sure the fans and the people around the world wouldn’t want to see twin brothers that train with each other and have the same tactics fight each other. So I’m not really entertaining the fact that a lot of people have been asking will meet in my twin brother fight each other? No.

Q
Jermall, when was the last time you for a southpaw?

Jermall Charlo
The last time I fought a southpaw was – I had a few fighters fight southpaw that I didn’t fight. I actually trained with a few southpaws. But I think I actually had fought a natural lefty so this would be the first experience that I’ll be able to fight a lefty.

Q
Speaking of lefties how much did Erislandy Lara advise you or help you with this fight since he’s beaten Austin Trout before?

Jermall Charlo
He’s been a big help. You know, fighting alongside him. Also, he’s fought Trout. So he’s been in there. He probably felt a few of the aspect of fighting a left-handed fighter. It’s just a different dynamic. You know, we prepare for everything. Like a champion has to be the tape what someone has and you make the most out of it and that’s what I plan on doing.

Q
I asked her brother this before and I’m asking you as well. How much of a sibling rivalry is that between you and your brother?

Jermall Charlo
I’m inspired by my twin brother but we compete. I guess that’s what keeps pushing us above and beyond. I can’t wait for him to fight and for him to do what he has to do so I could just say that was a lucky punch or that was a win. And not give him all the credit that he deserves and just keep pushing him. Because it’s all a brothers love and I love what my brother does and I’m pretty sure he loves what I do.

Q
From a marketing standpoint how much better is it to be twin champions as opposed to be like individual champions?

Jermall Charlo
I mean it’s great for marketing. Of course I’m a hero for a lot of fans that support boxing and of course they want to see them the level change and it’s only one way up. And for us to both become world champions I guess we’ll get a lot more attention as far as being great.

Q
What do you feel though has been the biggest change or improvement to your game since the Lara fight or the Dawson fight?

A. Trout
I’m just trying to become a complete fighter, and all-around fighter. That means being comfortable, going forward, backwards, to the side, attention to the head and to the body. And that’s been my goal from John is to be comfortable doing anything. That’s really what you believe is the work I put in. Look at our weaknesses which were defined by Lara and then just worked on it. So of course we want to be able to do the deed this year but if it needs be we can just push it up and go somewhere else and go in another direction.

Q
Everybody refers to Barry Hunter as your trainer these days. But how would you define Louie Burke in your career and the new training at this point?

A. Trout
He still here. He’s taken the title of head coach is really just a title cause really they are co-coaches. Louis been here with me. When I’m home, when we start Louie is the one who’s really starting that up for me. We cannot to DC to get to work and get another perspective. Louis is still a major, major factor in my corner and in my camp.

Q
In regard to Vegas, the boxing capital of the world in the country if not the world. Is it important at all to you to finally get there?

A. Trout
You know, I’ve been able to fight around the world and I’ve gotten to be able to travel and go in just see things. Being able to fight in Vegas is definitely important but I don’t put too much on it. It’s just another city. It’s just another venue. The fight itself is what matters.

Q
Austin, could you kind of discuss your evolution as a fighter I guess and kind of where you are today when you are ready for this second title shot.

A. Trout
I feel like – this is a great time for me because right now I am running on all cylinders. You know, I mentally, physically, and spiritually at peace and prepared. Nothing like all three of those points are very important to be a complete fighter in the ring because you have your spirit. And right now I’m very spiritual. God is going to be there to bless me. And if your mind ain’t right you already know that you can’t fight with your mind off base. And the physical part that speaks for itself. So honestly I have to be on top of my game to be a fighter like 929. And if those three things weren’t on point it’s going to be a rough night. But since they are I feel like I’m very unbeatable at this time right now.

Q
Do you feel like you’re at your best right now?

A. Trout
Close to it. I still feel like the best is yet to come but I feel like I’m getting there.

Q
And what you feel like you need to do to get your belt back?

A. Trout
Everything. You know we’re going to have to fight. I really want to — we’re going to have to box right, we’re going to have to fight hard, and were going to have to dig down and dig deep. But at the end of the day it will be all worth it. We’re going to have to take into the trenches and five as if our life depends on it which I feel like it is.

Q
And lastly the feel like the Lara fight was a big disappointment. Do you feel like you learned a few things that put you on different path?

A. Trout
I did. And again, after winning the total fight in having a close – and see the fight against Canelo I was a necessary living the way I feel like God wanted me to be. And I’m not here to preach. It’s nothing like that. But at the same time I feel like I’m held at a higher standard than others where I can’t get away with nothing. Now I got my manager in order. My family is right. My mind’s right. You know not to mention Lara has exposed things that I needed to work on that I’ve been working on. And we know that Carlos sparred with Lara who I feel is one of the best undisputed talent in the game other than myself.

We know he’s going to bring some things to the table that’s going to try to attack you. We’re going to try to take advantage of those mistake that Lara has exposed. So we have to definitely tighten up. We have to tighten up.

L. Ellerbe
Thank you. Now we’ll bring the main event. It’s a rematch of the 2012 technical draw and you know both men are going to want to settle the score. So first up I’d like to introduce, he comes to us with 36 and 2 record with 21 KO’s. He’s fighting out of Glendale, California. He represented the United States in the 2004 Olympics. He’s a very very tough fighter. He’s been in with just about everybody. He fought the likes of Ishe Smith,who’s part of the Mayweather promotions stabl, Willie Nelson and Demetrius Andrade. He fought Lara. He’s been a pro for 11 years. He turned pro in April, 2005 and he’s a very very good fighter. And we also look forward to a very exciting fight. Vanes Martirosyan, would you like to say a few words.

Vanes Martirosyan
Thank you Leonard. You getting better with my last name every time. It’s an honor to be on the Mayweather Promotions card once again and I can’t wait for the fight. I’m really excited as I have had the best training camp that I’ve ever had. I’ve been away from my family for a month and a half now. I just can’t wait for the fight to come.

L. Ellerbe
Vanes is fighting Erislandy Lara. Lara comes to us with a 22 and three record with 13 KO’s representing Cuba but training with Ronnie Shield in Houston. He’s one of the, in my opinion, one of the slickest boxers Very very slick, talented fighter. If you look forward this is going to be an excellent match up. Lara, would you like to say a few words.

Erislandy Lara
I want to thank everybody for putting this together in Mayweather Promotions and Showtime. I’m just ready for the fight. The fight is a week away and we’re ready to go.

Q
Vanes, in the first fight it seems that later on in the fight you were getting some success by putting on more pressure question mark are you going to fight the second fight like it’s the 10th round of the first fight?

V. Martirosyan
We know, we watched the first fight. That was four years ago. He’s got a lot better. I changed a lot also. We have noticed the fight there to be that we would do from the first fight. But there’s a lot of new things that we need to do. My main concern about this fight is that I just hope it’s a clean fight cause the first fight was really a dirty fight. There was a lot of low blows, a lot of head-butts and things like that. Let’s just hope the referee does his job better but we’re ready for anything and the first fight was a learning lesson. And it’s going to be the best fight on this night.

Q
My question is for Erislandy. With the improving relations between the United States and Cuba recently. How important is it for your career to headline a professional fight in your home country? And is that something you and your team have talked about doing?

E. Lara
Absolutely. This is something I want to do. I’m fully aware of everything going on in the United States and Cuba and if it’s possible I would love to headline a fight in Cuba one day.

Q
You also had mentioned recently that you would even like to fight to unify 154 titles. Would you also be willing to do that if a stablemate Jermall Charlo?

E. Lara
I don’t choose my opponents. They tell me who I’m fighting and I prepare and I fight to the best of my abilities and that’s what I have done in every fight. This is the fact and we both trained so this is not realistic at this point. But would I fight him? Yeah. I’ll fight him and win.

Q
You’ve been on the short end of some decisions, questionable decisions such as your fight with Andrade. Has that affected your game plan heading into this rematch and how aggressive you may need to be to pull out a decision?

V. Martirosyan
I have to be ten times more aggressive. And I guess I need to win the fight. You know, way better, trying to be more aggressive to show the judges we’ve moved on than the judges have.

Q
Did you start to feel as though it wasn’t going to happen? And how incomplete do you feel your career would have been if you didn’t get the chance to fight him again?

V. Martirosyan
I know I’ve been with Al Haymon and he’s with Al Haymon. You know every time I fought when I was with Al Haymon they asked me if I wanted to fight. One of the guy’s name on the list was Lara. So it was just a matter of time. At the time we fall we were both with different promoters. And right now we’re with the same management. So to be with the same management I knew that it was going to happen sooner or later. So I’m just happy that it finally happened.

Q
Vanes also if you could, what did you think of the scoring and the way the fight was scored in the first fight you know when it was fought.

V. Martirosyan
We watch the fight a few times. I think that he knows I was coming on strong. The round that they quoted as a draw I don’t know why they scored that fight on that round because it was only 20 seconds into the round and that’s what made it a draw. I just feel like I was winning on points in that fight. And the cut was bad and when they asked the judges to score the round they scored in his favor and they called it a draw. I just feel like I was up in that fight.

Q
If you could ask Erislandy the same question about what he thought about the scoring and also what his thoughts are in the fight finally coming together? And whether he thought it would ever happen?

E. Lara
To me I was winning the fight easily. I was out boxing him. If you go look at CompuBox I out landed him in every single round of the fight. I was doing my job. Obviously we fought on his turf like I always do. I fight fighters on their turf like I do. Now it’s on my turf and actually I felt like I was winning the fight 100% and I was coming on strong. I was winning the last few rounds before the cut and I was on my way to stop it and then before, you know, he decided not to fight. So I’m looking forward to this fight. I’m very excited to fight and it’s time to put a period on the fight and end it. And show everybody why I’m the best 154 pound in the world.

Q
Vanes, he just said he felt he was on his way to stopping you in that fight. What are your thoughts on that?

V. Martirosyan
He was running the whole fight. I stopped them but he was running, man. He was running the first few rounds and then he started running the whole fight. I don’t know what he’s talking about. He was stopping me. You know what I mean. I know he felt me in the first fight he’s going to feel me ten times more in this fight. He wasn’t stopping shit. If he was stopping I feel like the head butt was on purpose. The low blows were on purpose. Fight a clean fight and don’t play with my balls the whole fight and we’ll see who’s going to stop who in this one.

For more information visit www.sports.sho.com and www.mayweatherpromotions.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @LaraBoxing, @VanesBoxing, @FutureOfBoxing, @NoDoubtTrout, @TwinCharlo, @MayweatherPromo and @Swanson_Comm, become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxingand www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions

HOUSTON (May 11, 2016) – WBA Super Welterweight World Champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara is set to defend his world title and settle his score against Vanes “The Nightmare” Martirosyan when the two meet in the main event of a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® tripleheader featuring the top 154-pound talent in the sport on Saturday, May 21 from The Chelsea, inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

Live televised coverage on SHOWTIME begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features unbeaten IBF Junior Middleweight World Champion Jermall Charlo taking on former champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout and his twin brother Jermell Charlo battling top challenger John Jackson for the vacant WBC Super Welterweight World Title.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on-sale now. Ticket prices start at $39, and are available online at www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com or through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000; www.ticketmaster.com.

Lara and Martirosyan will meet after their 2012 bout ended in a technical draw. See below for the Cuban-born champion’s thoughts on training camp, the rematch and more:

On his rematch with Vanes Martirosyan:

“This is a very important fight for me. Our last fight unfortunately ended in a draw because of a clash of heads so we have some unfinished business to take care of. This time I’m not going to leave any doubt on who the better fighter is. I’m coming to dominate and retain my world championship.”

On training camp:

“I’m taking this fight very seriously. I’ve been pushing my body to get in the best shape possible. My body feels incredible and I couldn’t ask for a better training camp. I’ve been sparring a lot and my timing is getting better with each session. Everything is going as planned.”

On the May 21 card:

“It’s great to be fighting on this card, especially when there is so much on the line while I defend my title. In addition, the Charlo brothers are fighting on the undercard, which makes for a great night of boxing for the super welterweight division. The landscape of the 154-pound division will be laid out after May 21.”

On the state of the super welterweight division:

“Honestly I believe the 154-pound division is one of the strongest in all of boxing. I feel I’m leading the pack and my goal is to unify all the belts. I’m going to take it one fight at a time with the mindset to clean out the division.”

On fighting in Las Vegas:

“Vegas is the boxing capital of the world and fighting there is unbelievable. The fans are very supportive. The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan is very intimate and every seat in the building is a good seat. I anticipate a lively crowd.”

On his relationship with Ronnie Shields:

“Ronnie is a great coach and his game plans are very well thought out. He keeps everything simple. If we have to make adjustments during the fight, he’ll be able to point them out. We both have a great mutual respect for one another.”

For more information visit www.sports.sho.com and www.mayweatherpromotions.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @LaraBoxing, @VanesBoxing, @FutureOfBoxing, @NoDoubtTrout, @TwinCharlo, @MayweatherPromo and @Swanson_Comm, become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing and www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions

LAS VEGAS (April 13, 2016) – The 154-pound division will take center stage on Saturday, May 21 in a stacked tripleheader featuring three world title fights in the same division. Five of the division’s top-six fighters* will square off live on SHOWTIME from The Chelsea, a one-of-a-kind 40,000-square-foot venue, inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

In the main event, Cuban sensation Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara will defend his WBA Super Welterweight World Championship against U.S. Olympian and top contender Vanes “The Nightmare” Martirosyan in a rematch of their 2012 bout that ended in a technical draw.

Brothers Jermall and Jermell Charlo will look to make history in co-featured bouts as the first twins to hold world titles in the same division. Unbeaten IBF Super Welterweight World Champion Jermall faces his toughest test when he makes the second defense of his belt against former world champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout. Jermell will take on exciting contender John Jackson in a bout for the vacant WBC Super Welterweight World Championship.

Promoted by Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions, venue pre-sale tickets will go on-sale Thursday, April 14 at 10 a.m. PT. Tickets for the general public will go on-sale Friday, April 15 at 10 a.m. PT. Ticket prices start at $39, and are available online at www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com or through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 and www.ticketmaster.com.

Doors to The Chelsea will open at 3 p.m. PT with SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXINGâ action beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT. The versatile yet intimate space inside The Chelsea will create an unparalleled experience for viewers and boxing fans alike.

“I’m looking forward and I’m excited to be making my 2016 debut in the boxing capitol of Las Vegas come May 21,” said Lara. “I can’t wait to get in the ring as I have unfinished business to take care of with Vanes. I’m the champion and will remain the champion. I will leave no doubt who the better fighter is and will show the world that I’m the best fighter in the 154-pound division. I am dedicating this fight to a great man and boxing idol Gilberto Mendoza Sr. May he rest in peace and enjoy this display of master boxing from heaven, that I will put on for him when I step in the ring on fight night.”

“Erislandy Lara and I have unfinished business from our first fight,” said Martirosyan. “I had him beat that night and I’ll beat him on May 21. My time is now and I know I will be the new champion of the world on May 21.”

The 25-year-old Charlos are aiming for history against stiff opposition from a former champion in Trout and the Olympian from the Virgin Islands in Jackson.

“This will be a history-making, record-breaking night for the Charlo twins,” said Jermall Charlo. “It means everything to us to be able to fight in two championship fights on the same card. This is everything we’ve ever dreamed of. This is going to be a great night of boxing and I’m preparing myself for war. Austin Trout is a seasoned vet. He’s fought world champions and beaten a future Hall of Famer in Miguel Cotto. This is one of my biggest fights to date, but I’m preparing the same way I always do. I’m going to be on my ‘A’ game. I’m ready to make history.”

“I’m extremely excited and grateful for the opportunity to fight for the world title on May 21,” said Trout. “It’s a twice-in-a-lifetime chance for a second world title and I’m going to take full advantage of it. I’m working hard and have already been in training camp in D.C. and ready to take full advantage of the moment. I’ve sat at the champions’ table before and am ready to go back again and eat from it again. Destiny brought me here not to lose, but to win. I’m going to show up and show out and this world title.”

“This is a huge fight for me,” said Jermell Charlo. “It’s my first opportunity to fight for a title and my brother is on the same card defending his belt. There have never been identical twin brothers that are both world champions in the same weight class. We’re going to go out there and make history and send a message to the whole division. I’m excited to get in the ring and I know John Jackson is too. This is an important time in my career and I will be well prepared. Let the best man win.”

“I’m very grateful for this opportunity to become a world champion,” said Jackson. “I’ve been training very hard for the last two months for this fight and come May 21 I will be victorious over Jermell Charlo and realize my lifelong dream of becoming a world champion, like my dad, the great Julian Jackson.”

“This is yet another example of SHOWTIME Sports’ commitment to delivering the best lineup in boxing,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President & General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports. “We’re featuring three important championship fights in one of boxing’s most intriguing young divisions – a tripleheader that will bring our 2016 tally of world title bouts to 14 – all free to SHOWTIME subscribers. We’re excited to offer this rare opportunity to see the top fighters in a division all on the same telecast.”

“Mayweather Promotions is thrilled to bring this fantastic tripleheader of super welterweight world champions to fight fans,” said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. “The best of the 154-pound division will be on display on May 21 and we expect an action-packed night of drama.”

“We’re very excited to work with SHOWTIME on this action-packed tripleheader,” said Tom Brown of TGB Promotions. “Erislandy Lara and Vanes Martirosyan have a huge score to settle from their 2012 bout, and Jermall and Jermell Charlo are in high-stakes matchups against Austin Trout and John Jackson, respectively, in what promises to be a highly entertaining evening of boxing.”

The 32-year-old Lara is a slick boxer with the ability to deliver punishment while taking very little of it in return. Lara has notched victories over Alfredo Angulo, Austin Trout, Ishe Smith and Freddy Hernandez. As an amateur, Lara won numerous titles including a national championship at welterweight and also participated in the 2007 Pan-Am games. The fighter originally from Guantanamo, Cuba dominated Delvin Rodriguez in June of last year and followed that up with a third-round stoppage of former champion Jan Zaveck.

Born in Armenia, but fighting out of Glendale, Calif., Martirosyan represented the U.S. at the 2004 Olympics. As a professional, he won his first 32 fights before fighting Lara to a draw in 2012. The 29-year-old suffered a narrow defeat by split decision in his first world title shot against Demetrius Andrade, but has rebounded with solid victories over Mario Lozano, Willie Nelson and most recently Ishe Smith.

A newly crowned champion at 25-years-old, Charlo grabbed his title with a dominant third-round stoppage of Cornelius Bundrage in September 2015. Residing in Houston, Charlo built up his resume in 2014 with dominant triumphs over Hector Munoz, Norberto Gonzale, Lenny Bottai and Michael Finney. In his most recent outing, he successfully defended his title with a fourth-round stoppage of Wilky Campfort in November.

In 2004, Trout won the U.S. National Amateur welterweight championship and after climbing up the ranks as an elite pro boxer, he won a super welterweight world championship in 2011 by defeating Rigoberto Alvarez. He went on to make four successful defenses, including a career-best, dominant victory over Miguel Cotto in New York. He is currently on a four-fight win streak after knocking out Joey Hernandez in September to set up his world title opportunity.

Younger-by-one-minute than Jermall, Jermell Charlo is a highly ranked young fighter looking to get one step closer to a world title shot. A tall fighter for his division, the 25-year-old earned his shot at a world title with victories over Gabriel Rosado, Charlie Ota and Mario Lozano in 2014 and Martirosyan and former world champion Joachim Alcine in 2015. He impressed last time out by disposing of Alcine in the sixth-round of their fight in Houston in October.

Since representing his native Virgin Islands in the 2008 Olympics, Jackson has put together an impressive pro career. The St. Thomas-born fighter won his initial 13 fights after making his debut in January 2009. The 27-year-old earned the No. 1 spot and the title shot with a shutout victory over Dennis Laurente in August. Jackson comes from a fighting family; his father Julian Jackson was a world champion and feared power-puncher while his brother, Julius, is a contender in the 168-pound weight class.

*via Transnational Boxing Rankings

For more information visit www.sports.sho.com and www.mayweatherpromotions.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @LaraBoxing, @VanesBoxing, @FutureOfBoxing, @NoDoubtTrout, @TwinCharlo, MayweatherPromo and @Swanson_Comm, become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing and www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions

NEW YORK (April 9, 2016) – The 154-pound division will take center stage on Saturday, May 21 in a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING tripleheader featuring three world title fights in the same division. In a rare showcase of the division’s elite, five of the top-six super welterweights* will square off live on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. Venue and ticket information are forthcoming.

(*via Transnational Boxing Rankings)

In the main event, Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara—the consensus No. 1 fighter at 154 pounds—will defend his WBA Super Welterweight World Championship against U.S. Olympian and top contender Vanes “The Nightmare” Martirosyan in a rematch of their 2012 bout that ended in a technical draw.

Brothers Jermall and Jermell Charlo will look to make history in co-featured bouts as the first twins to hold world titles in the same division. Unbeaten IBF Super Welterweight World Champion Jermall faces his toughest test when he makes the second defense of his belt against former world champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout. Jermell will take on exciting contender John Jackson in a bout for the vacant WBC Super Welterweight World Championship.

The event is being promoted by Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions.

With five of the top-six ranked fighters on the telecast, the May 21 matchups join an already stellar slate of recently announced boxing events on SHOWTIME. The super welterweights join the top fighters at featherweight, welterweight, super middleweight and heavyweight in a series of fights that features accomplished champions and young stars facing each other in the most significant divisional matches that can be made.

“This is yet another example of SHOWTIME Sports’ commitment to delivering the best lineup in boxing,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President & General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports. “We’re featuring three important championship fights in one of boxing’s most intriguing young divisions – a tripleheader that will bring our 2016 tally of world title bouts to 14 – all free to SHOWTIME subscribers. We’re excited to offer this rare opportunity to see the top fighters in a division all on the same telecast.”

“Mayweather Promotions is thrilled to bring this fantastic tripleheader of super welterweight world champions to fight fans,” said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. “The best of the 154-pound division will be on display on May 21 and we expect an action-packed night of drama.”

“We’re very excited to work with SHOWTIME on this action-packed tripleheader,” said Tom Brown of TGB Promotions. “Erislandy Lara and Vanes Martirosyan have a huge score to settle from their 2012 bout, and Jermall and Jermell Charlo are in high-stakes matchups against Austin Trout and John Jackson, respectively, in what promises to be a highly entertaining evening of boxing.”

A technical master, Lara is considered one of the toughest men to beat in the sport and will look to continue his reign at 154 pounds against the always-game Martirosyan, who is set on becoming a world champion on his second try.

The 25-year-old Charlos are aiming for history against stiff opposition from a former champion in Trout and the Olympian from the Virgin Islands in Jackson.

The 32-year-old Lara is a slick boxer with the ability to deliver punishment while taking very little of it in return. Lara has notched victories over Alfredo Angulo, Austin Trout, Ishe Smith and Freddy Hernandez. As an amateur, Lara won numerous titles including a national championship at welterweight and also participated in the 2007 Pan-Am games. The fighter originally from Guantanamo, Cuba dominated Delvin Rodriguez in June of last year and followed that up with a third-round stoppage of former champion Jan Zaveck.

Born in Armenia, but fighting out of Glendale, Calif., Martirosyan represented the U.S. at the 2004 Olympics. As a professional, he won his first 32 fights before fighting Lara to a draw in 2012. The 29-year-old suffered a narrow defeat by split decision in his first world title shot against Demetrius Andrade, but has rebounded with solid victories over Mario Lozano, Willie Nelson and most recently Ishe Smith.

A newly crowned champion at 25-years-old, Charlo grabbed his title with a dominant third-round stoppage of Cornelius Bundrage in September 2015. Residing in Houston, Charlo built up his resume in 2014 with dominant triumphs over Hector Munoz, Norberto Gonzale, Lenny Bottai and Michael Finney. In his most recent outing, he successfully defended his title with a fourth-round stoppage of Wilky Campfort in November.

In 2004, Trout won the U.S. National Amateur welterweight championship and after climbing up the ranks as an elite pro boxer, he won a super welterweight world championship in 2011 by defeating Rigoberto Alvarez. He went on to make four successful defenses, including a career-best, dominant victory over Miguel Cotto in New York. He is currently on a four-fight win streak after knocking out Joey Hernandez in September to set up his world title opportunity.

Younger-by-one-minute than Jermall, Jermell Charlo is a highly ranked young fighter looking to get one step closer to a world title shot. A tall fighter for his division, the 25-year-old earned his shot at a world title with victories over Gabriel Rosado, Charlie Ota and Mario Lozano in 2014 and Martirosyan and former world champion Joachim Alcine in 2015. He impressed last time out by disposing of Alcine in the sixth-round of their fight in Houston in October.

Since representing his native Virgin Islands in the 2008 Olympics, Jackson has put together an impressive pro career. The St. Thomas-born fighter won his initial 13 fights after making his debut in January 2009. The 27-year-old earned the No. 1 spot and the title shot with a shutout victory over Dennis Laurente in August. Jackson comes from a fighting family; his father John David Jackson was a world champion and feared power-puncher while his brother, Julius, is a contender in the 168-pound weight class.

For more information visit www.mayweatherpromotions.com, www.sports.sho.com, follow on Twitter @MayweatherPromo, @TGBPromotions, @SHOSports, @LaraBoxing, @VanesBoxing, @FutureOfBoxing, @NoDoubtTrout, @TwinCharlo and @Swanson_Comm, become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing, www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions

LAS VEGAS – Floyd Mayweather Jr. said it was his last dance. If it was, he also got the last laugh.

In what he promised was his farewell fight Saturday night, Mayweather mocked Andre Berto. Beat him. too, for most of 12-one-sided rounds for a unanimous decision that put him alongside Rocky Marciano in the historical ledger at 49-0.

Everything, including his body language, said he would not fight again. He hugged and kissed his father, Floyd Mayweather Sr., on the cheek before the start of the 12th and perhaps his final round.

After the 118-110, 117-110 and 120-108 scores were announced, he knelt at the center of the ring, pointed one of his green-gloved hands toward the ceiling and look up as if he were saying a goodbye prayer.

“My career is done,’’ Mayweather said.

After the ninth, he complained to his father about an injury to his left hand.

“It doesn’t matter whether I hurt my left hand or my right hand,’’ said Mayweather. who collected another $32 million guarantee in the sixth and final fight on his Showtime contract. “My career is over.’’

As definitive as his statement was in the wake of his victory over Berto, speculation will continue about whether he will pursue a 50th victory sometime in the spring, perhaps at a brand new Las Vegas arena scheduled to open next spring.

His decision to face Berto had been mocked the day it was announced. In the end, Mayweather managed to mock Berto, if not the mismatch, himself.

Sometimes, he moved robotically as if to mimic a tiring and clueless Berto. Sometimes, he moved as if had been hurt. He wasn’t. Mostly. He just made fun of Berto. At the strta of the 10th, Mayweather talked non-stop at Berto. Finally, referee Kenny Bayless called timeout and warned both.

“Just trash talk,’ said Mayweather, who hasn’t knocked anybody in eight years.

Berto was cheered for just about anything he attempted from the 13,395 in a crowd that began to fill a Grand Garden Arena that about 90 minutes before opening bell appeared to be nearly half empty.

In the early rounds, however, Berto must have felt like he was playing dodge-ball with a target always close enough to hit, yet always elusive enough to make him miss.

“He a great fighter,’’ said Berto, who didn’t call him greatest when as if he thought Mayweather was The Best Ever.
Berto will let history decide that one.

The rematch was supposed to settle the argument. It didn’t.

Instead, Orlando Salido and Roman Martinez have more to fight about after battling to a draw Saturday night in junior-lightweight bout on the Floyd Mayweather Jr .-Andre Berto card at the MGM Grand.

“I won this fight,’’ said Martinez (29-2-3, 17 KOs), a Puerto Rican who scored a unanimous decision over Salido in April

Salido (42-13-3, 29 KOs) was credited with a knockdown in the third. Martinez complained to no avail. Turns out, Martinez was right and referee Vic Drakulich wrong in ruling it a knockdown. Video replay showed that Salido stepped on Martinez’ foot, knocking him off balance and onto the canvas.

Later in the third, Martinez scored a legit knockdown, landing a big right that sent Salido back on his heels and onto his rear end. Salido was clearly hurt. But he was able to survive and then managed to drag the fight into the kind of bruising exchange he so often wins. He threw 1,037 punches. Martinez threw 691.

“I should have won,’’ Salido said. “That’s not fair.”

Anybody for a trilogy?

 

Badou Jack scored a first-round knockdown that proved to the key to a split-decision over George Groves in the first defense of his WBC super-middleweight bout.

Jonathan Oquendo of Puerto Rico and Johnny Gonzalez of Mexico opened the PPV part of the card in a super-featherweight bout that began with fireworks and then settled down into a battle of wits, survival and some blood. In the end, Oquendo (254, 16 KOs), prevailed, winning a 10-round majority decision after suffering a knockdown in the first round, knocking down Gonazlez (58-10, 49 KOs) in the second and sustaining a nasty cut on his legs ye;id in the sixth.

The Floyd Mayweather-Andre Berto show opened Saturday during the noon hour, or probably before Mayweather rolled out of bed.

In an empty MGM Grand Garden Arena, Atlanta junior-welterweight Trakwon Pettis didn’t waste any time in his pro debut. Pettis stopped Devante Seay (0-1) of Martinsville, Va., at 2:24 of the first round. He was done in time to catch a late lunch.

In the afternoon’s second matinee, London junior-welterweight Ashley Theopane (39-6-1, 11 KOs) outworked Steven Upsher (24-5-1, 6 KOs), winning a one-sided decision over the Philadelphia fighter who lost to Berto last year.

Then, Baltimore lightweight prospect Gervonta Davis (12-0, 11 KOs) took over with a fast and furious beating of Filipino Recky Delay (8-2, 5 KOs), who was down twice in the first and signaled to referee Russell Mora that he was done at 1:34 of the round.

In another afternoon beating, Romanian super-middleweight Ronald Gavril (13-1, 9 KOs) punished Scott Sigmon (25-7-1, 14 KOs) before the ringside physician ended it before the ninth.

A disciplined, patient Vanes Martirosyan waited as if he knew Ishe Smith would leap and lunge. Smith did. Not once, but twice. Martirosyan (36-2-1, 21 KOs), a middleweight from Glendale, Calif., capitalized both times, scoring knockdowns with well-timed counters late in the third round and again in the eighth for a majority decision over Smith (27-8, 12 KOs), a Mayweather-promoted fighter.

Dayton middleweight Chris Pearson (13-0, 10 KOs) rocked Canadian Janks Trotter (9-2-1. 9 KOs) repeatedly in the sixth and finally floored him in the seventh for a stoppage at 2:59 of the round.

In the last fight before the pay-per-view portion of the card, Uzbekistan junior-welterweight Sanjarbek Rakhmanov (2-0, 1 KO) rocked an overmatched, yet durable Farkhad Sharipov (4-5, 1 KO) of Kazakhstan repeatedly in scoring six-round unanimous decision.

 

Follow all the action as Floyd Mayweather fights in his final fight of his career against Andre Berto.  The action kicks off at 6:30 PM ET / 3:30 PM PT with a 4 fight undercard that will feature 2 world title bouts

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Round 1 Mayweather suing the left..lead left hook.

Round 2 Right from Berto..

Round 3 Mayweather landing rights to body..Double jab from Berto

Round 4 Jab from Berto..Lead left from Mayweather..body..Hard right..

Round 5 Counter right from Berto..Right from Mayweather..

Round 6 Good counter left from Berto…Hard body shots from Mayweather..left uppercurt…right hand..

Round 7 Right uppercut in inside from Mayweather..Berto works the body with the left hook..Left from Berto..

Round 8 Mayweather lands a left uppercut…terrific combination..1-2..Counter left from Berto…

Round 9 Berto jabs to the body…Right over top from Mayweather…

Round 10 Both guys are talking to each other..

Round 11 Lead left hook from Mayweather,,good uppercut..Nice combination…

Round 12 2 huge uppercuts on the inside from Mayweather,,counter right..jab to the body…right over the op…left uppercut…

117-111, 118-110 and 120-108

Punch Stats

Mayweather  232 of 410    Berto 83 of 495

Round 1 Uppercut on inside from Martinez..Salido lands a combination…Combination from Martinez

Round 2 Hard right from Salido..combination..

Round 3 Right FROM SALIDO AND RULED A KNOCKDOWN..Jab from Martinez…LEFT AND DOWN GOES SALIDO..Big right from Martinez

Round 4 Huge right buckles Salido..Counter right from Salido..

Round 5 Hard right from Salido and a left hook..Jab from Martinez..

Round 6 terrific action…Salido pressing

Round 7 Jab from Salido..another jab..hook…

Round 8 Hard right from salido..

Round 9 Right from Martinez..Right from Salido on the inside..uppercut in the inside..Martinez lands a right..Hard combination by Salido…Hard combination,..

Round 10 Martinez landing hard shots in the counter…counter left hook and right from Salido..terrific exchange..

Round 11 Big right from Salido

Round 12 great infighting..Martinez lands a left hook….

115-113 Martinez, 115-113 Salido, 114-114—-DRAW

Punches Martinez: 189- 691    Salido 285- 1037

Round 1: Jack lands a jab..Double left hook and right from Groves..right..Good right…HUGE RIGHT AND DOWN Goes groves…

Round 2 Jack lands a jab..combination from Groves..Body and right..Combination from Jack…Counter from Groves..

Round 3 Body shot from Goves…Trading jabs…1-2 from Jack..

Round 4 Groves lands a right over the top..right uppercut

Round 5 Right from Jack..Good right from Groves..

Round 6 1-2 from Jack..Jab and right from Groves..another right..

Round 7 Body shot from Jack…Hard right from Groves

Round 8 Hard right from Groves

Round 9 Good right from Jack…

Round 10 Groves lands a jab that buckles Jack..Sharp right from Jack..

Round 11 Left to the body from Jack..left hook to the jaw..

Round 12 Body work from Jack…Groves lands a right…trading good rights..Groves lands a hard right that sets off a great exchange

114-113 Groves; 115-112 Jack; 116-111 Jack

Punch stats: Jack 210- 506    Groves 154- 721

Round 1: Uppercut by Gonzalez..BIG UPPEERCUT AND DOWN GOES OQUENDO…

Round 2 Right uppercut from Gonzalez…3 punch combination…Blood over the right eye of Gonzalez..right from Oquendo…HUGE RIGHT AND DOWN GOES GONZALEZ…Big left staggers Gonzalez…

Round 3 Good body work from Gonzalez..Straight right from Oquendo..Left hook…Combination from Gonzalez..Oquendo switches southpaw..Body shot from Oquendo..

Round 4 Combination from Oquendo..left hook..Jab to the body..left hook..right

Round 5 Left to body from Oquendo

Round 6: Overhand right from Oquendo..Triple Jab…Good right from Gonzalez..Nice Left

Round 7 Left hook from Gonzalez..Jab..Oquendo working the body…Gonzalez lands a hard right..

Round 8: Gonzalez cut over left eye from accidental headbutt…Left and right from Gonzalez..Jab…Jab from Oquendo drives Gonzalez to the corner..

Round 9 Doctor looking at cuts on Gonzalez…

Round 10 

94-94; 95-93 and 98-90 for Oquendo

Punch stats:  Gonzales –139 of 502    Oquendo: 100 of 455

 

 

Round 1: Good left from Smith

Round 2  Jab from Martiroysan…Combination..Right to the body..Counter left from Smith

Round 3:  2 shots to the body from Martirosyan..Left from Smith..Counter left..RiGHT FROM MARTIROSYAN AND RULED A KNOCKDOWN

Round 4:  Jab from Martirsyan…right…right to body from Smith,,,Nice right from Martirosyan..

Round 5:  Good combination from Smith..Good uppercut..Good combination..right lead..3 punch combination..counter right…

Round 6:  Good combination..right to body and left to the head..Body…Combination..

Round 7: Smith lanleft to head and left uppercut..lands a left..right

Round 8: Huge LEFT AND DOWN GOES SMITH

Round 9 Nice combination from Smith..good left to body and head..Swelling under the right eye of Martirosyan..Left..

Round 10  Good right from Smith

95-95; 97-91 two times Martirosyan