LOS ANGELES (August 6, 2015) – Accredited media members from around the world came out to the JW Marriott at L.A. Live in Los Angeles Thursday as Floyd “Money” Mayweather (48-0, 26 KOs) and two-time welterweight champion Andre Berto (30-3, 23 KOs) officially announced their SHOWTIME PPV matchup with taking place Saturday, September 12 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Also in attendance Thursday were pay-per-view undercard fighters featured on the stacked four-fight telecast. In a rematch of their epic April 11 world-title fight Roman “Rocky” Martinez (29-2-2, 17 KOs) will defend his WBO Junior Lightweight title against four-time world champion Orlando “Siri” Salido (42-13-2, 29 KOs) while WBC Super Middleweight Champion Badou Jack “The Ripper” (19-1-1, 12 KOs) will take on his mandatory challenger “Saint” George Groves (21-2, 16 KOs). A fourth fight on the pay-per-view telecast will be announced soon.

Further undercard action features a super welterweight showdown between Ishe “Sugar Shay” Smith (27-7, 12 KOs) and Vanes “The Nightmare” Martirosyan (35-2-1, 21 KOs), who were also in attendance Thursday to announce their fight.

Promoted by Mayweather Promotions, the four-fight pay-per-view telecast will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV and is the sixth and final fight of a record-breaking deal between Mayweather and Showtime Networks Inc. SHOWTIME Sports® will support the event with the Sports Emmy® Award-winning series ALL ACCESS premiering Friday, August 28.

Here is what the fighters and participants had to say Thursday:

FLOYD MAYWEATHER, 12-Time World Champion

“I’ve had a remarkable career. I wouldn’t change anything. We all make mistakes. We live and we learn but I wouldn’t change anything.

“My dad is a remarkable trainer, Virgil Hunter as well. But when it comes down to it, it comes down to the two fighters in the ring.

“Andre Berto is a tough competitor, a former world champion. Every time he goes out there, he gives it 100 percent.

“I chose Berto because he’s very exciting. Andre Berto is going to push Floyd Mayweather to the limit. That’s one thing I do know.

“Berto always gives an exciting fight. If he gets knocked down he gets back up. He always give 100 percent. Fast hands, good boxer.

“I know what it takes when it’s a fight of this magnitude, because I’ve been fighting on pay-per-view for over 10 years. Berto is a very tough guy, he’s hungry and he’s not going to lie down.

“September 12th is my last dance. On September 13 I just want to sit back and watch some football. I want to watch my children get the best education. And I want to spend every day with my kids. These are the best days of my life.

“The difference between Andre Berto and Pacquiao is you guys [to the media] put hype behind Pacquiao. My job was to go out there and be Floyd Mayweather and be a chess player and that’s what I did. I found a way to win.

“Number 49, this is it. I’ve had a tremendous career. I’m older, wiser and my health is more important than anything. September 12 is my last fight. All 48 fights played a key, but number 48 was the most important.

“This dream all started with just two people. Me and my father. Just the two of us.

“When you look at the two divisions I fight in, there’s one man who stands all alone. I looked at the division and asked who’s always in a tough exciting fight, who has quick hands and who always gives it 100 percent, it was Andre Berto

“This is a guy I can’t overlook. He’s dedicated to the sport just like myself and he’s going to push me.”

ANDRE BERTO, Two-Time Welterweight World Champion

“It’s a long time coming. Now we’re here. Anybody that knows me has seen great things but at the same time they’ve seen me go through some real trials. What comes with that is a lot of hard work and perseverance.

“Two years ago I was in the hospital bed having surgery on my shoulder and not knowing if I could come back from that. At the end of the day it was a blessing. We stayed focused and now we’re here.

“I know I’m going to come in there fast and strong. I’m 152 pounds right now. At the end of the day you’re going to see a kids who’s had his highs. Or who’s had his falls. And now we’re right back to making it happen.

“This is a fight that I felt Floyd still wanted to make happen. Him coming off of the Pacquiao fight, of course it’s easy for people to downplay me. I can’t worry about that and I’m not worried about that.

“Have you ever seen a boring Andre Berto fight? At the end of the day we work our butt off, I’ve been working for a long time. Right now, the harvest is coming. We sowed the seeds and the time is now.

“I bring that rare combination of speed, power and explosiveness to the table. The last person he bought with that combination was Zab Judah. I’m younger, I’m hungry; I’m strong and fast. I’m focused on what I’m coming to get.

“I felt like I went through what I went through for a reason. My time is now. There’s no better day than the present. Floyd is no stranger to me. We’re already deep into camp. You definitely do not want to miss this one.”

ROMAN MARTINEZ, WBO Junior Lightweight World Champion

“I’m so happy to be part of this great show. I’m preparing very well for this fight. Everybody who saw the first fight knows this was a war and this will be the same thing. I’m in great shape and I’m ready to keep my belt.

“I need to work to the body more in this fight and see if I can finish him early this time.

“I’m in really good shape for this fight and I’ve been working to make adjustments to get the knock out but if we have to go the distance, we’ll be ready.

“I feel the rematch is a very exciting fight for television, the kind fans love.

“Everybody who saw the first fight knows it was a war and this will be the same thing. For me, it gives me a chance to leave no doubt in anybody’s mind that I am the champion.

“Salido can say what he says, I hope he’s in good condition because I am. In the end the best man will win this fight and that will be me.”

ORLANDO SALIDO, Four-Time World Champion

“Now I know his weaknesses, I am going to attack from the very first moment, I know what to do for the victory.

“I have to refocus mentally and physically, I’m not going to do much different other than to gain the victory this time

“I’m definitely going to regain this title for Mexico. I don’t feel it. I know it.

“I am very happy we are fighting in a neutral territory for our rematch, not in Puerto Rico again. I was very prepared for the first fight but the referee wouldn’t let me fight my fight. It seemed the referee was talking to me the whole 12 rounds. I was trying to focus only on my opponent, but I couldn’t.

“I’m very excited about this fight. This is a very special month for Mexico and in particular because of that, I’m going to get this victory.

“There’s always a very special rivalry between Mexico and Puerto Rico and I feel it, which is why I so badly want to win this title for Mexico.”

BADOU JACK, WBC Super Middleweight World Champion

“I’ve been in camp for about two months now. It’s been a very good training camp and I’m ready right now to fight. We still have a month to go and we’re ready.

“I’ve always been strong mentally but I get some extra confidence from having that green belt. You still have to stay humble and keep working hard.

“Groves is a pretty good fighter. I definitely think it’s going to be an exciting fight. I know he’s coming to get what’s mine and he’s coming to fight.

“He’s fought in the UK in front of a lot of people, but it’s a different stage in Vegas.

“I think I’m the overall better fighter. He’s going to try to knock me out and I’m going to try to knock him out. It’s going to be a great fight. I’m definitely going for the knockout.

“It’s a dream come true to be part of such a big event at MGM Grand for Floyd’s last fight, it’s a blessing.

“It’s no different to me being the main event or on the undercard. There will be even more people seeing my fight which is great.

“I just have to listen to my corner, be smart and be myself. If I do that I’ll walk out of there with my belt intact.”

GEORGE GROVES, Top 168-Pound Contender

“Everything in training camp has been perfect. We’re adjusting to the time difference and the altitude, which takes a couple of days, but everything is going really well. We’re ahead of schedule.

“We’ve been training all year for this fight so I’m feeling really good. I can’t wait to get in there and start punching.

“I think I know more than enough about Jack. I’ve seen him box live against Anthony Dirrell and I’ve studied him on tape. There’s a lot to like about him. I like the fact that he’s come to the U.S. and has made a home out here, there’s bravery in that. He’s latched on to a successful camp but ultimately you have to stand on your own two feet in the ring.

“I think I’m better than him in most aspects. If I go out and perform it’s an easy night’s work for me.

“It’s nice being on a undercard because I’ve dealt with the pressure of the main event. It’s nice to just be able to enjoy the fight. It’s a massive fight but the only thing I have to worry about it fighting. It’s a great opportunity for me.

“Rust is more mental than anything. You only hear a fighter talk about ring rust after a fight because it’s an excuse. We’re in the gym performing, sparring partners are getting beat up and there’s no excuse to not take it into a real fight.

“I’m pleased to be here in America. The third time going for the title will be lucky. We’ve prepared diligently. We’re ready for action.

“I’ve seen Badou up close and personal and as of yet, we can’t find anything that will cause me a problem. We plan to take the belt back to the UK.

“He’ll have comfort being at home and with his stable mates, but that all goes away when you step in the ring and a guy is trying to take your head off.

“Since I was seven years old I’ve dreamed of becoming a world champion. I’ve had ups and downs in boxing but it’s all come full circle.

“We have ourselves in a great place in training camp and I literally cannot wait to get in there.”

ISHE SMITH, Former Super Welterweight World Champion

“I asked for the toughest fights and the toughest challenges. I just want to fight the best. No matter what people think or what people say about me, we put together good fights.
We’ve had three champions at Mayweather Promotions so we’re doing something right.

“Vanes Martirosyan is a good fighter, I have nothing but respect for him. We’re putting together the necessary work in the gym to be successful.

“This fight could probably have been a main event somewhere but I’m happy to be a part of history and Floyd’s finale. I’m looking forward to a great night of boxing.”

VANES MARTIROSYAN, 2004 U.S. Olympian and 154-Pound Contender

“This is a big fight for me. My last fight I left in the judges’ hands and it went the other way.

“September 12 I’m not letting the judges get in my way. I’m going for the knockout and you’re going to see the best Vanes you’ve ever seen.”

VIRGIL HUNTER, Berto’s Trainer

“I’m glad to be a part of this historic event. It’s these moments that I reflect on what these young men go through. I’ve seen some of the great fighters that came before us. When I see some of the negative attitudes on this event, it’s from people who don’t know what those fighters go through at the gym.

“We’re told never to quit and to never give up. Being 48-0 is not an easy job. Particularly when you go back to day one and the obstacles and the hills you have to climb. That’s the spirit of the sport. I think once Floyd Mayweather is gone, we’ll feel the presence that this man had on the sport. I witnessed the same thing with Muhammad Ali.

“Andre Berto has overcome a lot in his life and I’m glad to have made his acquaintance. He epitomizes what a fighter is. He’s overcome and he’s earned this opportunity based off that.

“When you look at that pack in that welterweight division there’s only one that stands out, everyone else is in that pack.

“We intend to give this the best job that we’re going to give it. I think the champ himself respects that. We come to win, but we have to respect what he’s done for the sport.

“I’m glad to be a part of this. It’s a big thrill for me to be on the opposite side of legends and we’re anticipating everything turning out just right for us on fight night.”

LEONARD ELLERBE, CEO of Mayweather Promotions

“Welcome everyone to what will be Floyd Mayweather’s last kick off press conference of his amazing career. We are so excited to be working together to bring another stacked PPV card to boxing fans on SHOWTIME PPV.

“We have a great lineup with three world championships fights.

“Tickets will go on sale tomorrow at 10 am P.T./1 pm E.T. Prices range from $1,500, $1,000, $750, $500, $300, $150.

“Once again Floyd will be putting his WBC titles and WBA title on the line. He will be facing Andre Berto, who will be looking to erase the 0 off Floyd’s record on September 12.

“’Rocky’ Martinez vs. Orlando Salido will be a rematch of the Fight of the Year candidate from April. We know that will be a war.

“These are the kinds of challenges that Floyd needs to push him the way that he needs to be pushed. Andre Berto is a guy we were supposed to fight years ago. He’s a two-time world champion. We know he’s going to bring it. He’s going to give it his best. On September 12 we’ll see if it’s good enough.

“With the storied career that Floyd Mayweather has had, we are truly witnessing history. You better take a good look at him, because the thing’s he’s accomplished in this sport, we’ll never see again.

“We always knew that Floyd would be here, many years ago. When a guy accomplishes these kinds of things, everything he does is historic. When you look around the landscape, this gentleman right here is why the game has been changed.”

STEPHEN ESPINOZA, Executive Vice President & General Manager SHOWTIME Sports

“Boxing is a tough sport. It’s a tough sport to cover, it’s a tough sport to do business in and it’s a tough sport to make a living at. When you find someone who has been participating in the sport as a professional for 19 years, not just participating but practicing the sport at an elite level, one that’s rarely been seen, that’s something special.

“Two decades at the top of the sport, but you know what’s most impressive? It’s work ethic. Almost 20 years of a work ethic that is unmatched in the sport of boxing. Never in his 19 years has Floyd showed up less than 100 percent prepared, 19 years of unwavering discipline. Once he got to the top level, the work ethic didn’t change. That will be the legacy of Floyd in this sport, it is something I will likely never see again in my lifetime.

“It all comes to an end September 12, it’s our last opportunity to enjoy his incredible skill.

“Andre Berto has a chance to make history himself. If he does that, nothing else will matter. Berto will become known as the guy who finally beat Floyd Mayweather.

“One thing we know about Andre Berto, he’s never lacked for action. There’s only one way he knows how to fight and that’s all out aggressive.

“I’ve seen what Andre can do in the ring, I’ve seen him fight round after round. Fighters like Andre Berto will always be welcome, because no one fights harder than Andre Berto.”

MAURICIO SULAIMAN, WBC President

“I am very happy to once again represent my father and to see the WBC back in a great event. September 12 is a national Mexican holiday and Floyd has taken it over and represented Mexico so well. Andre Berto is a former WBC champion who will for sure bring a great challenge to Floyd Mayweather.”

* * *

For more information visit www.mayweatherpromotions.com, www.SHO.com/Sports andwww.mgmgrand.com and follow on Twitter at @floydmayweather, @AndreBerto, @BadouJack, @StGeorgeGroves, @sirisalido, @mayweatherpromo, @SHOSports and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/FloydMayweather,www.Facebook.com/TheRealAndreBerto,www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions and www.facebook.com/SHOsports.

Gary Russell Jr. won the WBC Featherweight title with a fourth round stoppage over Jhonny Gonzalez at the Palms in Las Vegas.

Russell dropped Gonzalez in the closing seconds of round two from a perfect right hook to the jaw. Russell scored a second knockdown in round four with a right hook to the head. Russell finished thins as he landed a huge flurry that put Gonzalez on the deck for a third and final time and the fight was called at 37 seconds of round four.

Russell, 125 3/4 lbs of Capitol Heights, MD is now 26-1 with 15 knockouts. Gonzalez, 125 lbs of Mexico City, MX is now 57-9.

Jermell Charlo remained undefeated by scoring a 10-round unanimous decision over former world title challenger Vanes Martirosyan in a jr. middleweight bout.

In round eight, Martirsyan was cut above the left eye from a headbutt.

Charlo, 154 3/4 lbs of Houston, TX won by scores of 97-93 and 96-94 twice and is now 26-0. Martirosyan, 153 lbs of Glendale, CA is now 35-2-1,

LAS VEGAS (March 26, 2015) – Two days before their important fights live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT), this Saturday, March 28, hard-hitting WBC Featherweight World Champion Jhonny Gonzalez, 2008 U.S. Olympian and former world title challenger Gary Russell Jr., undefeated super welterweight Jermell Charlo and once-beaten super welterweight Vanes Martirosyan participated in the final press conference at The Pearl Theater at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.
In the second half of a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® doubleheader, the hard-hitting Gonzalez (57-8, 48 KOs), of Mexico City, will defend his WBC Featherweight World Title against talented once-beaten Russell (25-1, 14 KOs), of Capitol Heights, Md.

The telecast opener will match undefeated rising star Jermell “Iron Man” Charlo (25-0, 11 KOs), of Houston, against the battle-tested Martirosyan (35-1-1, 21 KOs), of Glendale, Calif., in a 10-rounder for the WBO Intercontinental 154-pound championship.

Earlier on Saturday, SHOWTIME Sports® will present the Sky Sports telecast of the IBF Welterweight World Championship between defending champion and hometown favorite Kell Brook and No. 1 challenger Jo Jo Dan live on SHOWTIME at 6:15 p.m. ET/3:15 p.m. PT from the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield, England. Sky Sports’ Jim Watt and Nick Halling will call the action from ringside.

Tickets for this Saturday’s stacked DiBella Entertainment fight card are priced at $200, $100, $75, $50, and $25, plus applicable fees are on sale. Tickets may be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or by clicking HERE. Tickets are also available online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Here’s what the boxers and the other participants said Thursday at Palms Resort Casino Lounge.

JHONNY GONZALEZ, WBC Featherweight World Champion

“I am well aware of the history of the prestigious WBC featherweight title and the many great Mexican fighters before me who held it. It is an honor and a privilege and actually very exciting for me to be mentioned with those names.

“I definitely know that more people have been watching me since I knocked out Abner Mares. Knowing that more people are paying attention keeps me motivated, keeps me going strong.

“I feel I am getting better with every fight. Every victory only makes me work that much harder.

“I am very excited about fighting Gary Russell. He is a great fighter and this is going to be a great fight. I am totally prepared for anything. Everyone says it is my power against his speed, but anything can happen in a fight.

“The media thinks I’m done. They say Russell is too fast for me. I’m an underdog in this fight. While I don’t let any of the talk bother me, it does give me more motivation to prove to the people that I am for real and that I am a good fighter fight in and fight out.

“I enjoy being champion, putting in all the hard work and proving people wrong. I had a great training camp and prepared myself well in Mexico City for this fight. I’m known for knockouts but I never go into a fight looking for knockouts. I am ready to fight 12 hard rounds. If the knockout comes, it comes.

“I want to win and take the belt home to Mexico. You’ll see on Saturday what I have in store. You can see my strategy then. I hope to see you all there.

“I want to thank everyone for helping make this fight possible.’’

GARY RUSSELL JR., 2008 U.S. Olympian and former world title challenger

“I’m ready and in shape. In the ring I’m omnipresent. I’m going to change all those pictures on that belt.

“I feel the same going into this fight as I always do, and I expect the outcome to be the same as always, that I will come out on top.

“I respect Jhonny Gonzalez like I respect all my opponents. He worked hard to win the title. I have studied tape of him. I know he is going to come right after me. Gonzalez is a puncher. But I’m a good puncher too. He’s been knocked out before, maybe he’ll get knocked out again.

“I can do a lot of things in the ring. Of course, my youth and speed will be keys but I have other attributes, too, like boxing acumen, ring generalship and what I call controlled chaos. I can move and punch and I’m thinking all the time in there.

“Gonzalez and Lomachenko are totally different fighters with completely different styles. Lomachenko may be a bit better overall, but Gonzalez is more of a pure puncher with power. I know Gonzalez has a dangerous left hook. But I’m totally prepared for that and everything else.

“In my fight with Lomachenko I was flat. A lot of things went wrong in camp before that fight. I allowed my conditioning coach at that time to change up all sorts of little things with me, and they wound up working against me.

“For this camp, we went back to basics with the same people I’ve always had. It was a great camp. You know, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it and that’s the philosophy all of us have again.

“I never dreamed growing up of being a world champion. My goal was to become a U.S. Olympian and win a gold medal. When I didn’t, I felt I let so many people down. It was then I started dreaming of becoming a world champion.

“I get another chance on Saturday. I’m ready for it.’’

JERMELL CHARLO, Undefeated Super Welterweight Contender

“It’s been an awesome camp, we enjoyed it. It’s been an awesome six or seven weeks. One thing you can never forget is — being a Charlo, being a lion — we stay on our game for weeks. Always training, always in shape.

“We know who is around us in the division, and which fighters to pay attention to. We know how far up we are. Vanes is a great fighter – I grew up with him a little bit. We trained with him back in ’08. His father is great. His father knows my father. We made it to a level where we both carried ourselves to the top. Carried ourselves to rank No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 … and when you’re in that position you fight the best.

“Of course, I’m not going out without a fight. I know neither is Vanes. You guys are going to get a fight Saturday night. As simple as this — I come to roar, I come to take over, I come to show guys that you can’t figure us out.

“There’s so many different things that have been said … ‘you’re basic,’ ‘you’re a boy vs. a man.’ Impossible. I wouldn’t be here if I was a boy. So, Saturday you all will see. I’m going to work.

“There are several weaknesses that I plan on exploiting. He’s got 35 wins but you have to look at who he fought. I would argue some of those guys don’t have the resume of the guys I have fought.

“I’ve fought tougher fighters than Vanes, stronger guys. A lot of people avoid Charlie Ota because it’s a rugged fight, but I’ll take those fights. You have to get in there and adjust, which is something I do.

“Vanes has a good right hand that you have to watch out for. There are certain punches that we have to throw to neutralize it.

“This can open up bigger doors for fights with top guys at 154 and even some other guys we can make catch-weight fights with. I consider myself and my brother (Jermall) both top five fighters in the division.”

VANES MARTIROSYAN, World-Ranked 154-pound Contender

“I’ve been here before. I love the lights.

“To all the fighters, I wish them the best. We’re ready to go. There’s not much to say right now. I do all the talking in the ring. I’ll let my fists do the talking.

“We’re 100 percent ready. I want to thank my trainers Roma, Coach D, my brother, my father. We’re ready to go. On Saturday I guarantee a victory by knockout. I promise that.

“It’s been a great two month camp, but we’re always ready. I’m always doing something athletic even if I don’t have a fight.

“Jermell is a good fighter, a good boxer. I would say he’s basic and I really do believe that. You can’t change a fighter overnight — that takes time. We’ll see what he brings to the table and be ready for anything.

“I’ve been in situations before where I knew even bigger fights were ahead of me and I got kind of used to the lights. I know what to do now and I’m ready. After this fight there are bigger things to come but to get to those bigger things you have to focus on this task.

“I don’t look at myself as the B-side, I think he is. I’ve been in this situation before and I’ve fought a lot of big names. Maybe there’s hype around him that makes him the A-side but it is all hype. I’ve been in there with guys who have a lot of experience so I’ll be ready.’’

NACHO BERISTRAIN, Gonzalez’ Hall Of Fame Trainer

“I expect a very difficult fight against southpaw who is very fast. Gary Russell is a great fighter, I like him.

“Jhonny knows what he has to do. He has to throw punches, maintain constant pressure and cut off the ring. That’s the way to help overcome Russell’s speed.

“Since beating Mares, Jhonny has definitely become stronger and more confident and more ambitious. It’s not about money, however, he just wants to prove to all the people that he is a good champion.

“Jhonny was always dedicated but now he is even more dedicated. We expect a victory by a big margin on points, but if the knockout comes, it comes.’’

GARY RUSSELL SR., Russell’s Trainer/Father

“Gary’s speed is going to be the difference. Speed kills.

“After the camp we’ve had, we expect Gary to come out and do what he knows how to do. They talk a lot about Gonzalez’ punching power, but Gary can whack too, along with his overall hand- and foot-speed and overall ability.

“We went back to our old routine in training and I can tell you Gary feels a whole lot better now. He’s primed for a big effort on Saturday. We all are.’’

RON RIZZO, Vice President of DiBella Entertainment

“Seems to be that this fight has been lost a little been in the shuffle recently. I’m not sure why. We have a lot of big things happening within the boxing industry — just as the University of Kentucky is dominating with their undefeated season, there’s a lot of other great matchups that are involved in boxing, and this is one of them.

“This is one I’m really excited about, and all the matchmakers I’ve been talking to are excited as well.

“I think this is a bout that’s really going to stand out. I don’t want people to miss it. This is a really good fight. There’s also another good fight with Charlo vs. Martirosyan as well.

“I really feel the main event is an unbelievable fight that just got lost in the shuffle of big fights that are happening on network television. For me, all the matchmakers that I’m talking to… it’s just one of those perfect kind of style bouts that are very intriguing. Of course Jhonny Gonzalez always makes for exciting bouts. Gary Russell is another guy who wants that title. He’s ready to take it this time.”

JAIME QUINTANA, Promociones Del Pueblo

“On behalf of Promociones Del Pueblo who represents Jhonny Gonzalez, the World Champion, we would like to let you know that we are happy to be here in Las Vegas defending the title.

“Jhonny Gonzalez has put up pretty good fights before – you all know. You have followed the steps in his career. We appreciate that. Thanks to the media, it’s them that makes a great fighter a great champion.”

BILLY CONN, Vice President of Entertainment and Special Events for The Pearl Theater at Palms Casino Resort

“On behalf of everyone here at the Palms Casino and our 2,000 employees, we appreciate you taking the time out of your busy day to cover this great event.

“We’re excited to work again with SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING and DiBella Entertainment. Our crew at The Pearl has been working feverishly to make this intimate venue for everybody.

“You’ll really enjoy seeing fights here. Tickets are still available here at the Pearl Box Office, Ticketmaster, on our website, etc. Tickets start at $25. We look forward to hosting everybody here.”

BOB BENNETT, Executive Director of Nevada State Athletic Commission

“I feel privileged for the Nevada State Athletic Commission to go ahead and regulate this great Championship fight. We want to thank DiBella Entertainment and Goossen Promotions for bringing this fight to the fight capital of the world and to SHOWTIME for broadcasting the fight. Last but not least, and most importantly, I want to thank the fighters. Without the fighters, none of us would be here.”

# # #

“Gonzalez vs. Russell Jr.”, a 12-round world championship bout for Gonzalez’s WBC Featherweight World Title, is promoted by DiBella Entertainment. In the co-feature, Jermell Charlo takes on Vanes Martirosyan in super welterweight action. The event will take place at The Pearl Theater at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas and will air on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT). The telecast will also be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP).

For more information, visit www.sports.sho.com, follow on Twitter at @SHOSports, @jhonnygbox, @mrgaryrusselljr, @TwinCharlo, @LouDiBella and @PearlAtPalms, follow the conversation using #GonzalezRussell, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing or visit the SHOWTIME Boxing Blog at http://theboxingblog.sho.com.

Kelly Swanson
Thank you, operator. Thanks, everyone, for calling in. We have a great call this morning and this afternoon actually here on the East Coast to talk about the March 28 SHOWTIME show, CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Show, featuring Jhonny Gonzalez, Gary Russell, Jr. and Jermell Charlo against Vanes Martirosyan. We have all the fighters joining us today on the call. We will start with Jermell and Vanes. But, before we get to the fighters, I’d like to introduce Chris DeBlasio, Vice President of Communications for SHOWTIME Sports to fill you in a little bit about the fight. Chris?

Chris DeBlasio
Thanks so much, Kelly. I just want to take a quick moment to thank the fighters for being on this call, thank the press for being here, and just say on behalf of Stephen Espinoza, the EVP and General Manager for SHOWTIME Sports, and all of us at SHOWTIME, we’re really excited to get back into it with a nice live SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING event this Saturday. As you may have seen in the boxing press, it was about two weeks ago that we announced the addition of a new platform called SHOWTIME Boxing International. The first fight will be this Saturday, March 28; it’s an international fight on the SHOWTIME network live to our subscribers. So, the first instance is a nice way to kick off our Saturday March 28 boxing coverage, and that’s gonna be the Kell Brook versus Jo Jo Dan IBF Welterweight World Championship fight that’s taking place in Sheffield, England. SHOWTIME is going to carry that fight live at 6:15 Eastern, 3:15 Pacific. And then, we will take a break during the afternoon hours and then go live at 10 p.m ET./7 p.m. PT SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING event with Jermell Charlo, Vanes Martirosyan, Jhonny Gonzalez and Gary Russell. So, it’s sort of a two- part platform on Saturday with three live fights coming to you, which we’re really excited about. And we appreciate the opportunity to be in business with the guys on the phone here today. So, without anything further, let’s get it started. We welcome you guys.

Kelly Swanson
Okay. And one quick note — or rather, media, one quick note — we have just sent out the Fight Week Media Schedule, so please look for that in your inboxes, and it will give you the details of what is going on this week for the fight. Thank you. Okay, let’s go ahead and open it up. Actually, let me go ahead and introduce the two guys that are on the call right now. They want to say a couple words. First, we have Vanes Martirosyan. He’s a world-ranked 154 pound contender. Vanes, you want to say a couple words, tell us how training is going and how you’re getting ready for the fight?

Vanes Martirosyan
Training is going great, everything is going good. We can’t wait to fight. You know, I’m sure everybody says that before they fight, but we really are ready to go. We just can’t wait to go.

Kelly Swanson
Okay, great. Thanks so much. And where are you training?

V. Martirosyan
I’m training here in California at Main Event Sports Club. There’s been a couple of locations we’ve been training, but the major has been Main Event Sports Club, which the media will be at today.

K. Swanson
Now, I’m going to move to Jermell Charlo. He’s an undefeated super welterweight contender. Jermell why don’t you tell us a little bit about what’s happening in your training camp and how you’re feeling heading into the fight.

Jermell Charlo
Training’s been great. Every time I step in the ring, every time I get ready for a fight, I feel like just there’s never been a time where I repeat myself or do something the same. I’ve been learning from all my past mistakes. Every win I’m still learning from. So, training camp has been good. Trainer Ronnie Shields, Danny Arnold. I opened my own gym, so I get a little late night extra hours in when I want to. And, I want to fight with my twin brother. We’re pushing to fight. I can’t wait to fight. Just like Vanes, he’s hungry, he’s ready. I’m I’m ready.

Q
Given both of your positions, as considered as top 10 contenders in the 154 pound weight class, in your mind, do you consider this an elimination fight? Vanes, what are your thoughts about that?

V. Martirosyan
I think every fight right now at this point in my career and Jermell’s career should be considered a title fight. It is — I think it is — an eliminator fight. I’m looking at this as a championship fight. Jermell is tougher than any of the champions, so to me, this is a championship fight, and that’s what we got ready for. And it should be an eliminator fight. I don’t know if it is or not, but that’s how we’re taking it as, and we’re taking this as a world title fight.

Q
Jermell, your thoughts on that – is it an official eliminator or a de facto one?

J. Charlo
Same thing with me. I feel that this is a tough fight. Every fight is a fight for my life. And I step in the ring and make sure that I fight with that on the back of my mind. Vanes is a great fighter — grew up with him. I know what I bring to the table. And this fight is a fight for manhood, it’s a fight to show who the real tycoon of the sport is in the 154 pound weight division. There’s a lot at stake, so it’s more than a title fight to me.

Q
Jermell, did you say that you grew up with him a little bit?

J. Charlo
Yeah, I grew up with him, at least two or three years with Vanes, you know, and his family, his people, you know? So, I know — we know each other well.

Q
Have you guys ever sparred with each other?

J. Charlo
Yeah, we’ve sparred with each other several times.

Q
How often, would you say? And how long ago?

J. Charlo
I can’t really say how often. I know it was back when we were a little bit younger. I was younger, still a little boy growing up into a man. So, right now, I don’t even think about how it was, what it was about, or how training was when we were training together. Wasn’t even 19 — I was 17, 16, 17, 18, I mean, those ages. Here, we face each other because we’re both at the top, and that’s what happens when you’re in the same division. Never had anything personal or different to say about him. It’s just work.

Q
Vanes, you feel the same way about your times in the ring with him?

V. Martirosyan
Yeah, I remember when we used to train. It was good training. We were always in competition — me, him and his brother. We used to go running at Memorial Park every day, and we’d try to see who’d finish the lap first. It was always competition between us — running and training or what-not. But it was nothing but love and I respect him, his father, and his trainer, Ronnie Shields. They’ve been good people to me. But Saturday night, he’s going to be my enemy in the ring. For now, outside the ring, I respect everybody. Once we step in the ring, it’s a totally different story.

Q
Your fight that took place in October was a big win for you against Willie Nelson. You harnessed a lot of the emotion going into that fight because it had taken place just after your promoter Dan Goossen had passed away and you had his brother Joe in your corner. It was a lot of heavy emotion that night, and you really came through in a big way that night. Is it gonna be difficult in any way to sort of get that same emotion behind you?

V. Martirosyan
No, because at that fight, we had to forget about a lot of things. Dan passed away. We were all sad, and we didn’t know what to do. And we actually thought — ‘should we fight’ or I don’t know if Joe (Goossen’s) going to be there. I didn’t know what was going on. There was too much emotion going into that fight. We kind of got away from the fight a little bit. But we used it as motivation for our fight. This fight to me is big. When I lost to Andrade, I didn’t step into the ring 100 percent, and when I came home — when you come home a loser, it’s a bad feeling. I can’t look at my wife, my kids. I feel like I let them down. So, right now, I’m just in that mode where I’d rather die than see that again.

Q
If you were to win this fight, obviously, you’d be in position for a major world title fight. Are you comfortable with waiting for one of those, figuring those fighters only fight maybe twice a year, or would you want to stay active and take more fights between them?

J. Charlo
You know, winning this fight to me — a world title would be ideal. A world title is important. I want to fight for a world title. I want the world title. That’s every boxer’s dream and envision whenever they’re young. Fighting for the world title matters and all this extra stuff, but if I’m here building my name and building my brand, that’s just as important. Being a household name throughout the World Boxing Council, everything. That matters to me.

V. Martirosyan
The fight, this fight — I’d say like a lot of the champions that are champions right now in our weight class, most of them just run their mouth, starting with Andrade. A fight like this for me and Jermell, it’s such a big fight for me, you know, but it’s not only for us. I mean, it’s for the fans. The fans are in, and it’s great. I mean, you rarely get to see contenders like me and Jermell wanting to step up and fight each other. You know, usually, people will get up to the rankings like we are, they just want to just talk a lot of bad stuff about the champions to get the world title fight. But, you know, you rarely get to see contenders like that, you know, No. 1 and No. 2 fighting each other when, you know they really want to fight each other and they both said yes to the fight. So, it’s a big fight, but I feel like, you know, we’re all gonna be — we’re gonna do our best, and I feel like the fans are gonna be the winners for this fight.

K Swanson
Okay, great. You guys, I think that was your last question, and so we appreciate you taking the time out of your training. And Vanes, we look forward to seeing you later for your open workout. And, Jermell, we will see you in Las Vegas later this week.

J. Charlo
No problem. See you, guys.

V. Martirosyan – Thank you. Take care.

Kelly Swanson
We’re going to switch the call over to Gary Russell, Jr.

K. Swanson
Gary Russell, Jr. will be facing Jhonny Gonzalez for Gonzalez’s 126 pound title, the WBC Featherweight World Championship. Gary, if you want to tell us a little bit about how training is going, your anticipation to be fighting Jhonny Gonzalez for this world title and what you think about the whole fight in general?

Gary Russell Jr.
We had a great training camp. Everything has been perfect, no excuses, no cutting corners. We’re 120 percent ready for this fight. We can’t wait be able to call ourself the new WBC World Champion.

K. Swanson
Are you doing anything in camp in preparation for this that’s different from your other fights?

G. Russell Jr.
No, we’re not doing anything that’s different in preparation for any of the fights. I think the only difference is, depending on the fight, you want to prepare depending on the opponent that you’re competing against. So, I think the only difference is the difference in sparring. You want to bring in guys that have a similar style to who it is you’re gonna be competing against etc. That’s the only change that we’ve made so far. Besides that — basic fundamentals, ring generalship, hand speed, punching power, strength and conditioning, all of that stuff is the same.

Q
Gary, were you surprised to get another shot at the title?

G. Russell, Jr.
No, I’m not surprised. I got the same Al Haymon Promotions, just Al Haymon in general when it comes to that. He’s my manager, and we know that he did everything in his power to try to make things happen for us, and give us another shot at a world title. I’m extremely grateful and thankful for this opportunity.

Q
When you fought the fight against Lomachenko for one of the titles, do you take anything out of that defeat? Whether it’s the experience, or being on that level of the stage that you bring towards this next championship opportunity?

G. Russell Jr.
Of course. One of the main things that we took out of it is, if it’s not broke, don’t fix it. In that particular fight with Lomachenko, we did a lot of things completely different in that fight that we normally wouldn’t do. We brought other people in. We let other people take the reigns and be in control of our conditioning. We’ve seen the outcome of that and the side effects of it. We don’t take losses easy, by far. So we’re back on pace. We have the same team around us that have been here from the beginning of my career all the way up until now. We had the same team way back in motion. We’re ready, we’re focused, we’re determined, we’re driven and we’re just looking to give a good show.

Q
Do you see Gonzalez as a much better fighter than Lomachenko, or perhaps a bit of a more vulnerable fighter than Lomachenko or similar? How do you stack up the two title holders?

G. Russell Jr.
They’re two very different fighters. Lomachenko has a little bit more hand speed than Jhonny Gonzalez. Gonzalez is more of a puncher. Jhonny Gonzalez is more of a dangerous fighter than Lomachenko just because of his punching ability and just him being a seasoned professional, being able to get all these rounds in as a professional. Lomachenko definitely is a good fighter. We take every fight serious. You take no one for granted. We definitely said, oh, this is a dangerous fight taking with Jhonny Gonzalez, but we feel as though what we bring to the table will be superior in the end.

Q
What specifically did you do differently to prepare for Lomachenko that you wish you hadn’t?

G. Russell, Jr.
We brought someone in for our strength and conditioning. We’ve known our strength and conditioning was completely different. Even when it came to the way that we cut weight, it was different. Leading up to the fight, we were in a sauna for the past two, maybe three days leading all the way up into the fight. That’s what my strength and conditioning coach wanted me to do.
Anyone that’s seen that fight, whether it was Lomachenko or anyone else, they’ve seen the difference in my punching ability, my endurance, my speed, just me as a person. People knew that that wasn’t the Gary Russell, Jr. that they’d seen the previous 24 fights. And that was some of the things that came up in the Lomachenko fight. I was completely tired and fatigued in the first round, you know?

Q
About Jhonny Gonzalez — he obviously is a guy who is a volume puncher, he’s not afraid to stand in and trade. How does this fight work to your advantage if he does fight a typical Gonzalez fight in your mind?

G. Russell, Jr.
I don’t think that he’s going to be able to deal with, once again, my speed. I think we’ll be able to do it with my speed. He’s always been slow in the speed. Even though he’s been a puncher, a lot of punchers have to really sit to actually apply these punches efficiently. I think he lacks the ring generalship as far as the footwork goes that he would need — the foot quickness. And a lot of his shots are a little wide. So, I’ll be about to outpunch him and be able to punch him between his shots.

Q
What did you think of the decision in the Lomachenko fight?

G. Russell Jr.
I didn’t think anything of it. The only thing that registered in my mind was the fact that I didn’t have the ability to perform the way that I normally would have. I never really looked at a decision. I never looked at how the referee was going about the fight or any of these things. The only thing that came to my mind was the fact that I just lost my first professional fight, and I sort of saw the reason why I lost — it was because I wasn’t able to do what it was that I normally do.

Q
So, you feel that you lost the fight then?

G. Russell Jr.
Certainly. I’d definitely say that I lost the fight.

Q
You touched on Al Haymon earlier. Can you explain what his impact is in your career? And we’ve all seen the moves that he’s been making. How is that gonna help you moving forward?

G. Russell, Jr.
I feel as though the fire is under these managers and promoters. There’s a team effort. You’ll be able to tell your manager or your promoter, ’Hey, this is my game plan, this is what it is that I want to accomplish this year.’ I wanted to at least be able to contend for a world title. I want to have maybe four fights this year, maybe six fights this year, etc. Your manager and promoter, where they come in at, they should be able to meet you halfway with their game plan. If you want to have six fights within a year, etc., your manager and promoter should be able to get it done for you. We feel as though that Al Haymon is very efficient in doing exactly what it is that we want from him. It’s about who you know, I guess.

Q
Heading into this fight, do you feel like you have to give a certain quality of fight to really make fans relate to you and make you a household name? Now that there’s so many platforms for boxing, do you feel like there’s added pressure to put on an exciting fight, or do you feel like you can still just, methodically box and gain fans from that?

G. Russell Jr.
I honestly don’t feel as though that we have to do anything out of the ordinary. You’re going to see the typical Gary Russell, Jr. that you’ve seen the previous 24 fights — hand speed, punching ability, ring generalship and etc. ,A lot of fighters get caught up in the hype, and they feel as though they have to do things a little more to win the fans over, etc. That’s never one of my things. I’m always to be exciting without being reckless. And I’m going to do what it is that I’m comfortable doing.

K. Swanson
Okay, Gary, thank you so much for being available to answer those questions, and we appreciate you taking the time out of your busy day, and we look forward to seeing you fight this Saturday, March 28, at the Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas and live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING. Thanks, Gary.

* * *

Tickets for the live event are priced at $200, $100, $75, $50, and $25, plus applicable
fees are on sale now. Tickets may be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or by clicking HERE. Tickets are also available online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Gonzalez vs. Russell takes place at The Pearl at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas and will air on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT). In the co-main event, Jermell Charlo takes on Vanes Martirosyan in super welterweight action. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will also be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP).

For more information, visit www.sports.sho.com, follow on Twitter at @SHOSports, @jhonnygbox, @mrgaryrusselljr, @TwinCharlo, @LouDiBella and @PearlAtPalms, follow the conversation using #GonzalezRussell, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing or visit the SHOWTIME Boxing Blog at http://theboxingblog.sho.com.

GLENDALE, Calif. (March 28, 2015) – Current world champion Jhonny Gonzalez and once-beaten world ranked welterweight contender Vanes Martirosyan participated in a media workout on Monday at the Main Event Sports Club in Glendale, Calif., six days prior to their respective upcoming fights on Saturday, March 28, at the The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT).

In the 12-round main event on the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® doubleheader, the hard-hitting, current WBC Featherweight World Champion Gonzalez (57-8, 48 KOs), of Mexico City, will defend his 126-pound title against talented once-beaten former world title challenger Gary Russell Jr. (25-1, 14 KOs), of Capitol Heights, Md.

In the 10-round co-feature, battle-tested, world-ranked contender Martirosyan (35-1-1, 21 KOs), of Glendale, Calif., will take on undefeated rising star Jermell “Iron Man” Charlo (25-0, 11 KOs), of Houston, in an important super welterweight showdown.

Here’s what the boxers as well as trainers, Ignacio “Nacho” Beristain (Gonzalez) and Dean Campos (Martirosyan), had to say Monday at the Los Angeles-area gym:

JHONNY GONZALEZ, WBC Featherweight World Champion
“First off, I would like to apologize for not participating in the media conference call that took place this morning. I have never missed a conference call before, and I take full responsibility for missing the call. I know how important these calls are and I promise that I will not miss another one.

“I have been very focused for the past three months during my training camp. I have been training in the high altitude in Toluca, Mexico.

“I have had two title defenses since beating Abner Mares and I am excited and ready for my fight on Saturday.

“Ever since beating Mares, I feel like I am finally getting the respect and support from the fans and media that I deserve. I get recognized all of the time now. The recognition motivates me to work harder than ever before and not let my fans down.

“I feel like I am in my boxing prime. There is still so much to prove and show to the world that I am still at the top of my game and capable of fighting with the best.

“In my fight on Saturday I am going to bring the same energy and intensity that I brought in my fight against Mares.

“I know that Gary Russell Jr. has fast and powerful hands. He is a quick and strong southpaw. I know he’s an excellent boxer.

“I am going to attack him with my power and speed. Once he feels my power in the ring, he’s not going to be able to think in there. He’s going to run, but if he decides to brawl with us, then we will have something for him.

“At this point in my career, he [Russell] is the fastest opponent I have ever faced. He has very fast hands and puts together good combinations.

“To prepare for Russell, I am constantly keeping my hands up at all times during my training. I am training that if he throws punches at me, I know how to immediately react and throw shots back at him.

“A lot of people are doubting me going into this fight because of the speed of Russell. It’s a great challenge for me and I can’t wait to get in the ring.

“I am absolutely looking for the knockout and I believe I will get it. I don’t expect this fight to go the distance. I am going to pressure him from the opening bell, my conditioning and confidence is at an all-time high. I am very anxious for this title fight, I want to fight right now.”

VANES MARTIROSYAN, World-Ranked Contender
“I am in great shape, training camp has gone great. I am just as excited for this fight as I was when I fought for the U.S. team in the Olympics.

“I feel like this fight is more of a test for him [Charlo], and I have to make sure he fails the test.

“I used to work with Ronnie Shields [Charlo’s Trainer] for about three years. I am pretty sure they have a game plan for me, but I am a totally different Vanes than the one who used to train with Shields. I hope they are getting prepared for that Vanes because I have changed a lot since then.

“Jermell [Charlo] is a good boxer, but he’s a basic boxer. He’s done well with guys that he’s supposed to look good against. There are some guys that he should’ve knocked out that he didn’t. If he hits me I will hit him right back and we’ll see how he handles that.

“If I stick to my game plan and everything goes as planned, I will say that it will be an easy fight. We have a B and a C plan if the fight doesn’t go exactly as planned.

“All I can do is prepare and go out there and win the fight. After I lost my fight to Demetrius Andrade I felt like a loser. I can’t lose this fight, I’d rather die than go out there and lose again.”

IGNACIO “NACHO” BERISTAIN, Gonzalez’ Trainer
“Gary Russell’s speed and quickness could be a factor for us in this fight. We must find a way to eliminate it.

“We need to find a solution to his quickness and do everything we can to win. We feel like we’ve prepared enough and are in a great position to come out on top.

“Russell has fast hands and he recovers quickly. He has had knockouts at different weight levels. But we’re working really hard, and on Saturday you guys are going to see a different Jhonny Gonzalez.

“Jhonny Gonzalez is a very strong fighter. I think the strength and power of his punch beats Russell’s. I think that will be one of the keys– Jhonny Gonzalez knows how to punch, hard.

“I don’t just believe in Jhonny because he’s my fighter, but because he’s fought and trained immensely hard — he knows what he wants.”

DEAN CAMPOS, Martirosyan’s Trainer
“Vanes is such a quick learner. He is able to pick up everything that I am trying to teach him to accomplish everything that we want to do to win this fight.

“We must exploit Charlo’s weaknesses. Charlo is a good fighter, but everyone has weaknesses. My job is to prepare him as best as I can so that he can get in the ring with the best opportunity to win this fight.

“I want to supply him with ideas to unlock that final last edge to come out on top. If he is able to do some of the things that we go over in camp, then he will be in a good position for a victory come Saturday.”

# # #
“Gonzalez vs. Russell Jr.”, a 12-round world championship bout for Gonzalez’s WBC Featherweight World Title, is promoted by DiBella Entertainment. In the co-feature, Jermell Charlo takes on Vanes Martirosyan in super welterweight action. The event will take place at The Pearl at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas and will air on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT). The telecast will also be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP).

Tickets for the live event are priced at $200, $100, $75, $50, and $25, plus applicable fees are on sale. Tickets may be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or by clicking HERE. Tickets are also available online at www.ticketmaster.com.

For more information, visit www.sports.sho.com, follow on Twitter at @SHOSports, @jhonnygbox, @mrgaryrusselljr, @TwinCharlo, @LouDiBella and @PearlAtPalms, follow the conversation using #GonzalezRussell, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing or visit the SHOWTIME Boxing Blog at http://theboxingblog.sho.com.

LAS VEGAS (March 2, 2015) – A world-class doubleheader, featuring featherweight world champion Jhonny Gonzalez (57-8, 48 KOs) defending his 126-pound title against exciting young star Gary Russell Jr. (25-1, 14 KOs)in the main event on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, will take place at The Pearl at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, on Saturday, March 28, live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT).

In the co-feature, undefeated rising star Jermell “Iron Man” Charlo (25-0, 11 KOs) faces a tough test when he takes on the experienced former U.S. Olympian Vanes Martirosyan (35-1-1, 21 KOs) in an important super welterweight showdown.

Tickets for the live event are priced at $200, $100, $75, $50, and $25, plus applicable fees are on sale today, Monday, March 2, at 12 p.m. PT. Tickets may be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or by clicking HERE. Tickets are also available online at www.ticketmaster.com.

“I’m very excited to be coming back to the United States. Every time I have fought on American soil, it has been career-changing for me,” said Gonzalez. “In 2012, [Daniel] Ponce De Leon stopped me in Las Vegas and made me reconsider my whole strategy. I came back to the U.S. in 2013 and I stopped an undefeated champion, Abner Mares. Now I’m back and once again I’m facing a tough opponent. Russell is not an easy test, but I’m confident I’m going to surprise everybody once more. Nobody thought I had a chance in 2013 and I stripped Mares of his title. Food for thought.”

“I’m blessed to be back on this stage, fighting once again for a world title,” said Russell Jr. “I came up short at my first opportunity for the title and that has me more motivated than ever to get the job done on March 28. I will finally hold up my very own belt.”

“I love fighting on SHOWTIME and I’m excited to put on a show for the fans in Las Vegas,” said Charlo. “I have a tough opponent, people think I might not be ready, but on March 28, they’re going to know that I’m taking over the sport.”

“This is a great opportunity for me and I’m just thankful to get the chance to showcase my talents,” said Martirosyan. “Charlo is a tough kid, but I’ve been around this sport longer and I’m going to show him some things he’s never seen before. The fans better get ready for an awesome show.”

“This edition of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is guaranteed to be action-packed,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment, promoter of the event. “The main event presents the classic boxer versus puncher matchup, with the slick, talented former Olympian Russell looking for redemption and the title against reigning, three-time world champion brawler Gonzalez. The co-feature between Charlo and Martirosyan is a highly competitive clash of styles. A big fight is in the future for the winner of this bout.”

“March 28 should be a tremendous night of fights to kick off a stacked run of boxing on SHOWTIME and CBS,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President & General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports. “Both bouts on the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast have world title implications. The main events matches the one-punch knockout power of world champion Jhonny Gonzalez versus the speed of Gary Russell, who is one of the most skilled boxers in any division. And with Jermell Charlo vs. Vanes Martirosyan, we have a matchup of two top 154-pounder contenders, each on the verge of a world title opportunity.”

“Boxing continues to be a major draw for Las Vegas,” said Billy Conn, Vice President of Entertainment and Special Events for The Pearl at Palms Casino Resort. “The Pearl is one of the most intimate venues where you can catch those world class athletes in action.”

One of the best Mexican fighters of this era, Mexico City’s Gonzalez has held world championships at 118 and 126 pounds, defeating the likes of Hall-of-Famer Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson and former world champions Fernando Montiel, Irene Pacheco, and Hozumi Hasegawa, along the way. The 33-year-old Gonzalez’ last loss came in 2012 to Daniel Ponce De Leon, but he has won his last five fights, including a shocking 2013 first-round knockout over defending beltholder Abner Mares resurrecting his career. He has defended the title twice in Mexico and now he returns to the U.S. in a very tough defense on March 28.

A supremely talented boxer, Capitol Heights, Maryland’s Russell Jr. is looking to strike world championship gold in his second shot at a belt. The 2008 U.S. Olympian looks to wipe out the memory of his first opportunity, when he fell by 12-round majority decision to Vasyl Lomachenko. He was able to return to his winning ways in December 2014, when he dominated Christopher Martin on his way to a unanimous decision. Now Russell Jr. has his eyes set on Gonzalez’ featherweight crown.

Younger-by-one-minute than his identical twin Jermall, Charlo is also a highly ranked young fighter looking to get one step closer to a world title shot. A tall fighter for his division, Charlo stepped up in class in 2014 and delivered three wide unanimous decision victories over Gabriel Rosado, Charlie Ota and Mario Lozano. On March 28, he takes on another tough challenge when he meets the experienced Martirosyan.

Born in Armenia, but fighting out of Glendale, Calif., Martirosyan represented the U.S. at the 2004 Olympics and has put together a stellar pro career since. He won his first 32 fights before fighting current world champion Erislandy Lara to a draw in 2012. He suffered a narrow defeat by split decision in his first world title shot against Demetrius Andrade but has rebounded with nice wins over Mario Lozano and Willie Nelson.

The event takes place at The Pearl at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas and will air on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT). In the co-main event, Jermell Charlo takes on Vanes Martirosyan in super welterweight action. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will also be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP).

For more information, visit www.sports.sho.com, follow on Twitter at @SHOSports, @jhonnygbox, @mrgaryrusselljr, @TwinCharlo, @LouDiBella and @PearlAtPalms, follow the conversation using #GonzalezRussell, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing or visit the SHOWTIME Boxing Blog at http://theboxingblog.sho.com.

Rances Barthelemy retained the IBF. Jr. Lightweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over David Saucedo at the Foxwoods Resort in Mashantucket, Connecticut.

Barthelemy, 130 lbs of Cuba won by shutout scores of 120-108 on cards and is now 21-0. Saucedo, 130 lbs of Argentina is now 52-6-3.

Vanes Martirosyan scored a 10-round unanimous decision over Willie Nelson in a Jr. Middleweight bout.

Martirosyan, 153 lbs of Glendale, CA won by scores of 97-93 twice and 96-94 and is now 35-1-1. Nelson, 153 lbs of Youngstown, OH is 23-2-1.

Tommy Karpency scored the biggest win of his career as a he scored a 10-round split decision over former Light Heavyweight champion Chad Dawson.

It was a pretty even fight that saw Karpency get the nod possibly on land a few more harder shots.

Karpency, 173 lbs of Adah, PA won by scores of 96-94 twice while Dawson took a card 96-94. Karpency is now 24-4-1. Dawson, 173 lbs of New Haven, CT is 32-4.

MASHANTUCKET, CONN. (Oct. 3, 2014) – Undefeated Rances “Kid Blast” Barthelemy and Fernando David “El Vasco” Saucedo both tipped the scale at the limit of 130 pounds during the official weigh-in for their world title showdown, tomorrow/Saturday, LIVE on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast.

Barthelemy (20-0-0, 12 KOs), of Las Vegas by way of Cuba, will defend his IBF junior lightweight title against former world title challenger and IBF No. 3-ranked challenger Saucedo (52-5-3, 8, KOs), of Florencio Varela, Argentina, in the main event of a SHOWTIME Boxing Special Edition tripleheader from the Fox Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino, in Mashantucket, Conn.

Willie “The Great” Nelson (23-1-1, 13 KOs), of Cleveland, Ohio, and Vanes “The Nightmare” Martirosyan (34-1-1, 21 KOs), of Glendale, Calif. by way of Armenia, both weighed-in at 153 pounds for their 10-round collision of once-beaten junior middleweights. Martirosyan will be stepping into the ring with a heavy heart just five days after the death of his promoter Dan Goossen, brother of his trainer, Joe Goossen.

Former light heavyweight world champion “Bad” Chad Dawson (32-3, 18 KOs), of Las Vegas by way of New Haven, Conn., measured 173 pounds for his first fight in his home state in five years. He’ll take on Tommy Karpency (23-4-1, 14 KOs), of Adah, Penn., who also weighed-in at 173 pounds, in a 10-round light heavyweight fight in the opening bout of Saturday’s tripleheader.

RANCES BARTHELEMY:
“I’m excited. This is a huge fight for me, fighting on national television, fighting on SHOWTIME. I’m excited and anxious to get in there and give the crowd and the fans a great fight.

“You’re going to see a solid, smart fighter that knows how to keep his distance and knows how to control the pace. And you’ll see a lot of my jab, my biggest weapon.

“I’m going to win any way possible. We’re ready to go the whole 12 rounds. We’re just going to take it round by round.

“He has over 60 fights so we have to respect him. But we’re going to let him know we’re the bigger man.”

FERNANDO DAVID SAUCEDO:
“I came here to win the world title and that’s what I’m going to do.

“This is the perfect matchup for me and my chance to show that I deserve to be a world champion.

“It’s a dream come true to fight here in the United States. It’s obvious that I can’t do what I did in my previous 60 fights. I need to bring a little more to go home with the title. I’m very well-prepared and I’m looking forward to getting in the ring.”

WILLIE NELSON:
“I believe the jab is the key to this fight. The person who establishes the jab is the one that is going to come out on top.

“I just need to follow the game plan and pick him apart.

“I’m going to win a unanimous decision.

“If I win this fight I should get a shot at a world title. But, you know, it’s boxing, so anything can happen.”

VANES MARTIROSYAN
“We have a good game plan put together with Joe [Goossen]. We’re ready to box or brawl if we need to. We’ll just take it from there. We’re ready for whatever he bring and we’re just going to be on top of him the whole fight.

“We’ve been heartbroken since we’ve heard the news [that Dan passed]. Especially because they kept it away from me the whole training camp. It was a big surprise to us. The second we heard it we all, my wife, my mother, we all started crying.

“But, in a way, we’re happy that we get to fight Saturday night and dedicate this victory to Dan Goossen.

“It gives me more motivation to fight and make him proud because I know he’s going to be looking down on us. On Saturday we get to thank him.

“I think this will make me stronger. The last thing, boxing-wise, that Dan said to Joe was, “make sure Vanes wins.’ I’m taking that in the ring with me. He’s going to be watching me from above so we’re going to put on a good performance for him.

“I’m going to win by knockout. I have too much happiness and too much strength going into the ring that I will win by knockout.”

CHAD DAWSON:
“As a fighter, the scale is a part of the fight, too. I beat the scale and tomorrow night we’ll go out and win the fight.

“I know that I have to go out tomorrow night and perform. I have to let the world know that I’m the same fighter, that I’m still one of the best fighters in the world. If anything, I think I’m wiser and that makes me a better fighter.

“I’m going to go out there and do what I do best, use my jab, use my hand speed. People underestimate my jab, but I have one of the best jabs out there. I just need to use my size and win the fight.

“Hopefully within the next two fights I’ll get a world title shot. We want to get another fight after this, hopefully in December, and then sometime early next year I’ll be fighting for another world title.

“I’ll probably put on about 10 pounds before the fight tomorrow. No more than that. We don’t want to go in the ring too blown up. Tonight we’ll eat light, eat a light breakfast a light lunch and get in the ring.

“I want to get some rounds in. Hopefully he has it in him and hopefully we can get in some rounds. I’m not the type of fighter to look for a knockout, but if it comes, it comes. We’re just looking for a great performance.

“You’ll see on Saturday night –I’m back to being ‘Bad’ Chad.”

TOMMY KARPENCY:
“His weight doesn’t impact me at all. I came here to win the fight no matter which Chad Dawson showed up and we prepared for the best Chad Dawson.

“I’m going to fight to win. I have nothing to lose. This is a great opportunity for me –it’s Chad Dawson’s backyard so all the pressure is on him. I have to take advantage of this opportunity.

“I’m going to try to impose my style; I try to fight in spurts. I’m just going to let my hands go and whatever happens, happens.

“I’m going to win, that’s all. It’s going to be a life changing victory and that’s how I’m approaching it. I have nothing to lose and everything to gain. I just need to take advantage of this opportunity.

“This is a fight we went after. We’re ready to go. I don’t think this is the tune-up he’s expecting. We’re ready for the best chad.”

JOE GOOSSEN:
“We trained very hard, even if it was under impossible circumstances. Dan brought it up, he said, ‘just make sure Vanes wins Saturday night.’ That was Dan. Always thinking about boxing and business up until the very end. Dan was concerned about Vanes like he would be at any other time.

“We didn’t miss a minute in the gym and that’s the way he would want it. If anything it motivates me. The gym is probably the only place where I can go to forget everything.”

NEW YORK (Sept. 25, 2014) — Undefeated Rances “Kid Blast” Barthelemy (20-0-0, 12 KOs), of Las Vegas by way of Cuba, will defend his IBF junior lightweight title against former world title challenger and IBF No. 3-ranked challenger Fernando David “El Vasco” Saucedo (52-5-3, 8, KOs), of Florencio Varela, Argentina, in the main event of a SHOWTIME Boxing Special Edition quadrupleheader on Saturday, Oct. 4, live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from the Fox Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino, in Mashantucket, Conn.

In other 10-round fights on a four-fight telecast: Willie “The Great” Nelson (23-1-1, 13 KOs), of Cleveland, Ohio, will be opposed by Vanes “The Nightmare” Martirosyan (34-1-1, 21 KOs), of Glendale, Calif. by way of Armenia, in a collision of once-beaten junior middleweights, former light heavyweight world champion “Bad” Chad Dawson (32-3, 18 KOs), of Las Vegas by way of New Haven, Conn., fights for the first time in his home state in five years when he goes up against Tommy Karpency (23-4-1, 14 KOs), of Adah, Penn, and promising middleweight Dominic “Lights Out” Wade (16-0, 11 KOs) of Largo, Md. will put his perfect record on the line against KeAndre Leatherwood (14-2-1, 10 KOs), of Birmingham, Ala.

The 5-foot-11, 29-year-old Barthelemy, a boxer-puncher with good skills, movement and punching power, is making the first defense of the 130-pound title he won with a dominant 12-round decision over defending champion Argenis Mendez in his last fight on July 10 in Miami, Fla.

The victory, scored 115-111 three times, came in a rematch of a bizarre scrap on Jan. 3, 2014, in Minneapolis that went into the books as a no-decision after the former Cuban amateur standout knocked Mendez out after the bell had sounded to end the second round.

With Mendez finally in his rearview mirror, Barthelemy is looking forward to Oct. 4 and beyond.

“I’m very excited to be fighting on SHOWTIME for the first time,’’ said Bathelemy, who defected from Cuba shortly before his pro debut in September 2009. “The goal when you start out your career is to win a world title and fight on a major network. Now that I have accomplished both I want to prove I’m one of the best fighters in the world.

“Saucedo has fought a lot of guys. He’s one of the highest ranked contenders in the IBF so I’m coming in totally prepared and focused. I want to win obviously, but I’d like to win impressively.

“I want to show everybody that I’m the best at 130 pounds no ifs, ands or butts, and that includes Mikey Garcia, Orlando Salido, who’s called me out … So the opportunities are there for me. But first I have to defeat Saucedo.’’

A veteran of 60 pro fights, the 33-year-old, 5-foot-7 Saucedo has won 14 in a row, including seven by way of knockout. This will be not only his first time fighting on SHOWTIME, but also his first time fighting in the United States.

His last loss came in his first world title fight on a 12-round unanimous decision to WBA 126-pound titleholder and hometown favorite Chris John on Dec. 5, 2010, in Jakarta, Indonesia.

“Saucedo is a veteran who gets one last chance to prove he can succeed at the highest level,’’ said SHOWTIME Expert Analyst Steve Farhood. “To date, he’s been strong in Argentina but less effective outside his native country. Barthelemy is one of the brighter young titlists in boxing.’’

Saucedo, who captured the WBC Silver 130-pound belt three outings ago, is coming off a third-round TKO over Luis Juarez, last June 27 in Buenos Aires.

Farhood regards the co-feature between Nelson and Martirosyan as a “throwback fight between contenders where the stakes are self-evident.’’

“This type of matchup you don’t see anymore,’’ Farhood said. “Martirosyan is a legitimate top-10 contender while Nelson is just outside the top 10. The winner will be clearly in line for a shot at a title.’’

Nelson, a 6-foot-3½, 27-year-old, has won seven in a row since his lone defeat (on ShoBox on an eight-round majority decision to Vincent Arroyo in April 2011). Nelson was triumphant in his other ShoBox start on a unanimous 10-round decision (97-92 twice and 95-94) over left-handed former Cuban amateur star and previously unbeaten prospect Yudel Jhonson in May 2012.

After dealing Johnson his initial setback, Nelson, who’s very tall for the weight class, upset undefeated prospect and 2008 Virgin Islands Olympian, John Jackson, on a unanimous 10-round decision (98-92 and 96-94 twice) to capture the NABF 154-pound belt on Sept. 15, 2012.

Nelson underwent surgery on his left elbow in late 2013, but has fought twice since, winning a clear 10-round decision over hard-trying Luis Grajeda in his most recent outing last Aug. 8.

An amateur standout before going pro in May 2006, Nelson doesn’t plan to make radical changes in his style and technique against Armenian-born Martirosyan.

“I think Martirosyan is a good fighter,’’ said Nelson, a former U.S, amateur standout and eight-year pro. “He’s well-rounded–decent speed, decent power. But I’m going to use the same game plan for him as I do for everybody else. I’m not going to change nothing. Basically, I’m just going to work on keeping him on the outside on the end of my punches.”

Martirosyan, 28, is coming off a unanimous 10-round decision over Mario Lozano last March 21 in Cabazon, Calif. In his first start for new trainer, Joe Goossen, and new promoter, Goossen Tutor, Martirosyan dominated; he scored a knockdown with a right hand in the second and consistently outboxed and outworked Lozano to win going away by 100-89 three times.

A 2004 U.S. Olympian, Martirosyan is 6-foot-tall boxer-puncher who possesses good power, movement and speed. He’ll be looking to make it two-for-two for his new team on Oct. 4.

“I’ve been training for this fight for over 2 and a half months–it’s been a long camp,’’ said Martirosyan, who lost a 12-round split decision to undefeated lefthander and 2008 U.S. Olympian Demetrius Andrade (117-110, 114-113 and 112-115) in a fight for the vacant WBO junior middleweight belt on Nov. 19, 2013. “Every time I spar, I’m sparring 15 rounds, 20 rounds. We’re working really hard. I’ve never in my life sparred so long or experienced something like this.

“I think Nelson is a good fighter. He always finds a way to win even though he gets hurt or dropped, and you’ve got to respect him for that. But he has to respect me, too, because I’ve never been so hungry in my life,” said Martirosyan. “This is basically do-or-die for me.”

In a sensational amateur career in which he was an eight-time National champion, the lanky Martirosyan upended Timothy Bradley, who went on to win super lightweight and welterweight world titles, Austin Trout, who would become the WBA super welterweight titlist, and Andre Berto, who went on to win the WBC and IBF welterweight belt.

In the second televised fight of the evening, “Bad Chad” continues the second chapter of his career, as he calls it, against Pennsylvania native Karpency in an attempt to get a step closer to another world title shot.

Dawson is coming off a 2:35 first-round knockout over George Blades last June 21 on SHOWTIME EXTREME®.

The knockout over the outclassed Blades snapped a two-fight losing streak for the former two-time light heavyweight world champion. ”It was good to get some of the ring rust off,’’ he said. “I think the time off did me a lot of good. I got a little rest and got to spend time with my family.

“With that fight out of the way, I’ll be sharper and in better shape this time. Nothing’s really changed for me. I’m just back to being myself and working hard and doing the right things. I’m strong and I’ve got that hunger back. ’’

Once considered one of the most talented pound-for-pound boxers in the world and the last fighter to defeat Bernard Hopkins, “Bad Chad” also owns victories over Antonio Tarver and Glen Johnson (twice each), Tomasz Adamek and Adrian Diaconu. This will be his first fight in Connecticut since he unanimously outpointed Johnson in their rematch in November 2009, and his first at Foxwoods since 2004.

But questions remain about whether Dawson can regain his past form. “Dawson is at a point in his career where he has to give fans reason to think he can again be a dominant light heavyweight again,’’ Farhood said.

Fellow southpaw Karpency, 28, has won two consecutive fights, including a unanimous 10-round decision over Dhalir Smith last July 26. He has experience against good opposition. In February 2012, he fought WBO light heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly in England; in his next fight he met hard-hitting, world-ranked Andrzej Fonfara. He’s also been in with Karo Murat.

Wade and Leatherwood will square off to open the telecast in a 10-round middleweight bout.

Twenty-five-year-old Wade has won five in a row since returning to the ring in February 2013 after a two-year layoff. In his ShoBox debut and first scheduled 10-rounder, the former amateur star stepped up in class and won a unanimous decision over Nick Brinson. He also registered a spectacular one-punch second-round TKO over Marcus Upshaw.

Leatherwood is a 5-foot-10, 25-year-old who’s won two straight fights since losing a 10-round decision to Hugo Centeno in a disappointing effort in his ShoBox debut on March 8, 2013. Leatherwood is coming off a first-round knockout over Mickey Scarborough last April 5.

Tickets, priced at $150, $90 and $45, may be purchased online at Foxwoods.com, by calling the Foxwoods’ box office at 800-200-2882, or in person at the Foxwoods’ box office. Tickets may also be purchased through any Ticketmaster outlet or online at Ticketmaster.com.

Doors open at 6 p.m. The first live, non-televised fight is at 6:30 pm. The event is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Warriors Boxing with the co-featured Nelson-Martirosyan match promoted in association with Rumble Time Promotions and Goossen Tutor Promotions.

Barry Tompkins will call the SHOWTIME BOXING Special Edition action with Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

New York, NY (9/5/14) – On Saturday, October 4th, DiBella Entertainment and Warriors Boxing will stage a thrilling SHOWTIME Boxing Special Edition with reigning undefeated IBF champion Rances “Kid Blast” Barthelemy (20-0-0-1NC, 12KO’s) defending his super featherweight title against former world title challenger and IBF #3-rated Fernando Saucedo (52-5-3, 8KO’s). The main event is promoted in association with Sampson Boxing. This card will air live on SHOWTIME beginning at 9 pm ET/PT from the Fox Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino, in Mashantucket, Conn.

In the co-feature, two highly ranked junior middleweights will collide in an exciting 10-round matchup when Willie Nelson (23-1-1, 13 KO’s) faces Vanes Martirosyan (34-1-1, 21 KO’s). This contest is promoted in association with Rumble Time Promotions and Goossen Tutor Promotions.

After defecting from his native Cuba, former amateur star Barthelemy successfully made his pro debut in 2009 and immediately began turning heads with his electric performances. Nicknamed “Kid Blast”, the highly gifted boxer with devastating knockout power in both hands quickly moved up the ranks of the 130lb. division. In June 2013, Barthelemy moved himself to the #1 spot in the IBF world ratings when he scored a second-round knockout over contender Fahsai Sakkreerin with a single body shot in their official IBF title eliminator.

Next up for Barthelemy was IBF champion Argenis Mendez this past January. Barthelemy took the fight right to Mendez and had him in trouble almost immediately in the first round. In the second, Barthelemy landed a barrage of punches to drop Mendez with just under 15 seconds to go in the round. Mendez was able to beat the count, but, as the bell was sounding to end the frame, Barthelemy landed a vicious combination that knocked Mendez out cold. Initially, referee Pete Podgorski ruled Barthelemy the victor by way of knockout. However, following review of the bout weeks later, the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry determined that Barthelemy’s final blows came after the bell had rung and changed the result of the fight to a ‘No Contest.’ The IBF ordered an immediate rematch and the two met sixth months later, with Barthelemy winning by unanimous 12-round decision, officially taking the IBF belt from Mendez. Now, the 28-year-old Barthelemy is ready to make the first defense of his title when he takes on the tough Argentinean Saucedo.

Saucedo is no stranger to championship opportunities, having fought for the Super WBA world featherweight championship against long reigning champion Chris John back in 2010. The bout against John was the last time that Saucedo tasted defeat, with the dogged Argentinean moving up in weight and reeling off 14 consecutive victories. The move up in weight also seemed to have brought more power to Saucedo’s punches, as seven of his eight career knockouts have come during his current winning streak. Last year, Saucedo claimed the vacant WBC Silver super featherweight championship with a 12-round unanimous decision over Sergio Medina. Now, he is looking to rip Barthelemy’s IBF strap from around his waist when the two meet on October 4th.

“We are so excited that Showtime Boxing will be televising Rances Barthelemy’s first defense,” said Leon Margules, President of Warriors Boxing & Promotions, LLC. “We believe that Rances will be a star for many years to come and is showing his mettle by fighting #3-ranked Fernando Saucedo in his first defense, who is on quite a roll himself. Working with a great resort like Foxwoods and with my friend Lou DiBella on this stellar show is a pleasure for us.”

A native of Cleveland, OH, Willie Nelson, rated #5 by the WBC, is one of the most talented and dangerous 154-pounders in the world. Since his lone loss to once-beaten Vincent Arroyo via majority decision on ShoBox in 2011, Nelson has switched trainers, moved up in weight and has never looked better, winning seven straight bouts. Following a 10-round unanimous decision over the 12-0 Yudel Johnson on Showtime, Nelson has scored sensational victories against the 13-0 John Jackson and 32-2 Luciano Cuello via unanimous decision as well as a brutal first-round TKO of Michael Medina. After annihilating Darryl Cunningham inside one round on the Cotto-Martinez undercard this past June, Nelson last fought and defeated the gritty Mexican 17-2-2 Luis Grajeda on August 8. Showing tremendous heart, Nelson overcame a couple moments of adversity, getting tagged by Grajeda’s heavy hands, to outbox him the rest of the way en route to winning a 10-round unanimous decision. Nelson is on the doorstep to challenging for his first world title and is hungrier than ever to get his shot, but Vanes Martirosyan is standing in his way.

Martirosyan, an eight-time National champion, finished his amateur career with a stellar 120-10 record prior to turning pro in 2005. Amassing several minor title belts, Martirosyan soon built a reputation as a dangerous 154lb. contender and potential future champion. Between 2009-’11, Martirosyan picked up the NABF, NABO, WBA International and WBC Silver junior middleweight titles, including an impressive 10-round unanimous decision victory over the 22-0 Joe Greene held at Yankee Stadium. In November 2012, Martirosyan challenged Cuban prodigy Erislandy Lara, breaking him down with pressure and a powerful right hand. However, following a fight-ending severe cut over Martirosyan’s left eye resulting from an unintentional clash of heads, the bout was halted and ruled a draw on the scorecards. One year later, Martirosyan received a shot at the vacant WBO title against the 19-0 Demetrius Andrade, but he would ultimately suffer his first defeat via close, split decision. In his last bout, on March 21, 2014, Martirosyan scored a 10-round unanimous decision win over a tough Mario Lozano. Currently ranked #4 by the WBO, #8 by the IBF and #9 by the WBC, Martirosyan is zeroing in on another title opportunity, but he must first get by the resolute Nelson.

“I am excited to be co-promoting this event with Leon Margules and Warriors Boxing,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “Willie Nelson versus Vanes Martirosyan is a great matchup between two of the better fighters in the stacked 154lb. division. It is a tremendous opportunity for the winner to catapult himself to a world title shot in his next fight.”

“As Foxwoods strives to maintain our market leadership position in casino sports, boxing remains an important part of our overall entertainment platform. Lou DiBella is one of the best boxing promoters in the world and never fails to deliver a world-class event,” said Scott Butera, President and CEO of Foxwoods Resort Casino.

Additional undercard bouts will be announced shortly.

Tickets, priced at $150, $90 and $45, are currently on sale and can be purchased online at Foxwoods.com, by calling the Foxwoods’ box office at 800-200-2882, or in person at the Foxwoods’ box office. Tickets may also be purchased through any Ticketmaster outlet or online at Ticketmaster.com. Doors open at 6:00pm, with the first bout scheduled for 6:30pm.

Sherman Oaks, CA (April 8, 2014) World-ranked junior middleweight contender and Southern California fan favorite Vanes “The Nightmare” Martirosyan will return to the ring on Saturday, May 10 at the USC Galen Center on the campus of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, it was announced today by his promoter Dan Goossen of Goossen Tutor Promotions.

Following his outstanding performance in a ten round decision on March 21 over Mario Aguila, Martiroysan will see action in a scheduled eight-round clash.

“Vanes made it very clear upon signing he wanted to stay busy and grow his fan base here in California; the added benefit is his desire to work in the gym under his new trainer, Joe Goossen,” said Dan Goossen. “The combination of learning new things with Joe, and staying busy, will allow Vanes to better utilize improved skills in real action.”

“Couple that with his immense fan support in Southern California, particularly in the Armenian community, it can only enhance Vanes’ popularity toward his world championship march.”

The bout will be featured on the off-TV portion of the ESPN televised “FIGHT FOR PEACE HEAVYWEIGHT HISTORY” bout between Haiti’s #1 WBC Heavyweight World contender Bermane Stiverne and Chris Arreola, the #2 WBC Heavyweight World contender of Riverside, California for the vacant WBC Heavyweight Championship of the World.

Martirosyan won every round against Aguila in a bout telecast on ESPN Friday Night Fights from the Morongo Casino Resort Spa in Cabazon, California in his first bout under the Goossen Tutor Promotions banner.

“My last fight was the first time I felt like a pro,” said the former world title challenger Martirosyan. “It’s amazing even to me. I said being with Joe for only three weeks, he had me understanding the need to work harder and developing some of my other offensive weapons.”

Commented Joe Goossen, “It’s important now, at only 27 years of age, that we prepare Vanes to the fullest of his potential and not allow another opportunity for the world championship to fall through his grip. Activity in the gym and the ring can only help us.”

“FIGHT FOR PEACE HEAVYWEIGHT HISTORY” is presented by Don King Promotions and Goossen Tutor Promotions.

Tickets priced at $300, $200, $100, $50 and $25 (plus fees) for the WBC Heavyweight World Championship night of boxing are available through the USC Ticket Office located in the Student Union, 213-740-4672 (GOSC), or www.galentix.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Doors will open on the day of the event at 3:00 p.m. PT with the first
bell at 3:30 p.m. PT.

For more information on the Galen Center visit; www.usctrojans.com/facilities/usc-galen-center.html

For fight updates go to www.goossentutor.com or www.espn.com/boxing on Facebook at facebook.com/GoossenTutor, and on Twitter at twitter.com/GoossenTutor, and twitter.com/ESPNBoxing. Use the hashtag #StiverneArreola2 to join the conversation on Twitter.

Former two-time world title challenger Vanes Martirosyan scored a 10 round unanimous decision over Mario Lozano at the Morango Resort & Spa in Cabazon, California.

Martirosyan dominated with boxing through out and scored a knockdown in round two from a straight right hand.

He went on to win 100-89 on all judges score cards. Martirosyan, 154 lbs of Glendale, CA is now 34-1-1. Lozano, 153 3/4 lbs is 28-5.

Former world title challenger Anthony Peterson scored a 10 round unanimous decision over Marcos Jimenez in a Lightweight bout.

Scores were 100-90, 99-91 and 98-92 for Peterson, 135 lbs of Washington, DC and is now 33-1. Jimenez, 132 lbs of the Dominican Republic and is now 20-5.

SHERMAN OAKS, CA (March 19, 2014) “HOMEWARD BOUND” is headlined by the return of former world title challenger and Glendale, California resident Vanes “The Nightmare” Martirosyan in a WBO Inter-Continental 10-round junior middleweight Championship bout against tough Mexican Mario “Aguila” Lozano set for this Friday, MARCH 21 at the Morongo Casino Resort Spa. The event will be televised LIVE on ESPN Friday Night Fights presented by Corona Extra, 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

“We’re very excited to see Vanes make his debut with us close to home and at the beautiful Morongo Casino,” said Dan Goossen, President of Goossen Tutor Promotions. “Fans on hand at the Morongo Casino and those watching on ESPN Friday Night Fights are in for an outstanding evening of entertainment and what I believe will be a statement performance by Vanes against a very tough fighter in Lozano, who has never been KO’d.”

The Official Weigh-In for “HOMEWARD BOUND” which is Open to the Public will take place on Thursday, MARCH 20 in the VIBE Night Club at the Morongo Casino Resort Spa at 2:00 p.m. PT.

Martirosyan addressed his training camp and mindset heading into his debut with Goossen Tutor Promotions and new trainer Joe Goossen. Click on the 2-minute link below.

Vanes Martirosyan talks about his new fire towards boxing

Complete Fight Card below.

About Morongo Casino Resort Spa:
Morongo (morongocasinoresort.com) is the premier gaming resort in California. Located in Cabazon, California, in the scenic Coachella Valley, Morongo is a prime getaway for residents of Orange County, Ontario, Palm Springs, Palm Desert and Los Angeles. Earning the prestigious AAA Four Diamond Award for nine consecutive years, Morongo offers 310 well-appointed rooms and suites, a 150,000 sq. ft. casino floor, ten restaurants and lounges and continuous world-class entertainment offerings. One of the largest tribal gaming facilities in the country Morongo Casino Resort & Spa is owned and operated by the Morongo Band of Mission Indians.

For more information, follow Dan Goossen/Goossen Tutor on Twitter @DanGoossen, @GoossenTutor and Vanes Martirosyan @VanesBoxing.

FIGHT FACTS

WHAT: “HOMEWARD BOUND” ESPN FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS
Presented by Goossen Tutor Promotions

WHEN: FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 2014

WHO: Super Welterweights-Ten Rounds
Vacant WBO Inter-Continental Junior Middleweight Title
Vanes Martirosyan, 33-1-1 (21 KO’s), Glendale, CA vs.
Mario Lozano, 28-4-0 (22 KO’s), Chihuahua, Mexico

Lightweights-Ten Rounds
Anthony Peterson, 32-1-0 (21 KO’s), Washington D.C. vs.
Marcos Jimenez, Dominican Republic (20-4, 13 KOs)

Junior Welterweights-Four/Six Rounds
Abel Ramos, 8-0-1 (4 KO’s), Phoenix, AZ vs.
Rodolfo Armenta, 13-12-1 (9 KO’s), Los Mochis, MX

Welterweights-Four Rounds
Vatch Martirosyan, 2-0-0 (1 KO), Glendale, CA vs.
Gustavo Lopez, 0-1-1, King City, California

Heavyweights-Four/Six Rounds
Razvan Cojanu, 7-1-0 (3 KO’s), Los Angeles, CA vs.
Avery Gibson, 3-4-2 (1 KO) Los Angeles, CA

Super Lightweights-Four Rounds
Kevin Watts, 4-0 (2 KO’s), Los Angeles, CA vs.
TBA

Welterweights-Four Rounds
Tevin Watts, 1-0 (1 KO), Los Angeles, CA vs.
Vincente Guzman 0-3-1, Upland, CA

Featherweights-Four Rounds
Manny Robles, Jr., 5-0 (2 KO’s), Los Angeles, CA vs.
TBA

WHERE: MORONGO CASINO RESORT & SPA
49500 Seminole Dr.
Cabazon, CA 92230
(951) 849-3080
Doors 3:30pm, First Bell 4:30pm
LIVE TV 6:00pm (all times PT)

The March 21 edition of ESPN Friday Night Fights presented by Corona Extra and ESPN Deportes’ Noche de Combates presentado por Corona Extra will feature former Jr. Middleweight world title challenger Vanes “The Nightmare” Martirosyan (33-1-1, 21 KOs) and Mario Lozano (27-4, 20 KOs) in the 10-round Jr. Middleweight main event.

Friday’s show, from the Morongo Casino in Cabazon, Calif., will air live at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2, broadband Spanish-language ESPN Deportes+ and WatchESPN. ESPN Deportes will televise the fights on Saturday, March 22, at 7 p.m. The card is promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions.

Commentators:
New Picture (1)Bernardo Osuna (@osunaespn), filling in for Joe Tessitore, will be ringside with Teddy Atlas describing the action for ESPN2, while studio host Todd Grisham (@GrishamESPN) will present all the latest boxing news and highlights. Delvin Rodríguez will call the fights with Pablo Viruega for Noche de Combates (Fight Night) on both ESPN Deportes and ESPN Deportes+, while Claudia Trejos and Leopoldo González will anchor the studio. ESPN Deportes boxing analyst and Hall of Fame referee Joe Cortez will join Trejos and González in studio to discuss referee Tony Weeks’ decision to stop the Canelo Alvarez vs. Alfredo Angulo fight in the 10th round. Cortez will also discuss the second-round stoppage between Ponce De Leon and Juan Manuel Lopez.

Main Event:
California’s Martirosyan, a 2004 U.S. Olympian, is looking to rebound from a 12-round split decision loss in a world title challenge to current WBO Jr. Middleweight titlist Demetrius Andrade. Mexico’s Lozano is looking to get back to his winning ways following a 12-round unanimous decision loss to Charles Hatley.

“I know Lozano is a good puncher and he’s a really good fighter,” Martirosyan said. “In this fight, you’re going to see the best Vanes you’ve ever seen.”

Co-Feature:
Friday’s 10-round co-feature will pit Lightweight contender Anthony Peterson (32-1, 21 KOs), brother of current IBF Junior Welterweight titlist Lamont Peterson, against Marcos “El Tigre” Jiménez (20-4, 13 KOs). Washington D.C.’s Peterson is coming off a second-round TKO win over Dominic Salcido, while Puerto Rico’s Jiménez scored an eight-round unanimous decision over Jose Hernandez in his last outing.

Upcoming Schedule:

Date

Time (ET)

Main Event

Location

Networks

Fri, Mar 28

9 p.m.

Boxcino Lightweight Semifinals: eight rounds each

Chris Rudd (13-1, 8 KOs) vs. Petr Petrov (33-4-2, 14 KOs)

Miguel González (23-3, 16 KOs) vs. Fernando Carcamo (16-5, 13 KOs)

4 Bears Casino,
New Town, N.D.

ESPN, ESPN Deportes+, WatchESPN

Fri, Apr 18

9 p.m.

Boxcino Middleweight
Semifinals: eight rounds each

Brandon Adams (13-0, 9 KOs) vs. Raymond Gatica (14-2, 9 KOs)

Willie Monroe Jr. (16-1, 6 KOs) vs. Vitalii Kopylenko (22-0, 12 KOs)

Turning Stone Casino, Verona, N.Y.

ESPN2, ESPN Deportes+, WatchESPN

Fri, Apr 24

9 p.m.

Josesito López (31-6, 18 KOs) vs. Aron Martínez (19-2-1, 4 KOs)—10 rounds, Jr. Welterweights

Agua Caliente Casino, Palm Springs, Calif.

ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN

*Schedule subject to change

Friday Night Fights and Noche de Combates Social Media:

· Follow ESPN Friday Night Fights on Twitter @ESPNFNF or like it on Facebook.

· Score the fights round-by-round with the “Live Friday Night Fights Facebook Voting App,” an application on the ESPN FNF Facebook page that allows viewers to score the fight round-by-round.

· Follow ESPN Deportes’ Noche de Combates on Twitter @ESPNBoxeo.

· For the latest ESPN.com boxing news and analysis follow @ESPNBoxing.

Sherman Oaks, CA (March 12, 2014) – Former world title challenger Vanes “The Nightmare” Martirosyan opened the doors to his training camp to the Los Angeles media on Tuesday afternoon, just ten days prior to his return to battle at “HOMEWARD BOUND” on Friday, MARCH 21 against Mario “Aguila” Lozano at the Morongo Casino Resort Spa in Cabazon, California and televised LIVE on ESPN Friday Night Fights presented by Corona Extra.

Joining Vanes at the Ten Goose Boxing Gym in Van Nuys, California were promoter Dan Goossen of Goossen Tutor Promotions and new trainer Joe Goossen. Below are quotes from all three participants.

Vanes Martirosyan:

“This is the first time in my career I feel like a professional. Even though I’ve had a lot of fights, 33-1-1, I have a good team, with a new promoter, working with Joe Goossen, I feel like I’m finally home and it makes me feel like I’m a professional and I plan on showing everyone with my performance on March 21.”

Dan Goossen, President of Goossen Tutor Promotions:

“Right now it’s not about only winning, it’s making a statement in victory. And on March 21st, I believe Vanes is going to do just that. I’ve been following his career for a long time, I believe it was a great signing for the company and what he’s done in the past is nothing to what we expect to see from him in the future. On the 21st we are going to see a rejuvenated world-class fighter in the ring at Morongo on ESPN.”

Joe Goossen, Trainer of Vanes Martirosyan:

“I’ve had the opportunity to work with world champions and world contenders. The work Vanes is putting in right now is exceptional and he is on his way to becoming a world champion. He has great foot movement, quick hand speed and a dynamite right hand…all the elements of a future world champion.”

Martirosyan vs. Lozano, a 10-round junior middleweight bout is presented by Goossen Tutor Promotions.

Advance tickets for “HOMEWARD BOUND” are priced at $55 (sold out) and $35 (less than 100 left) with a $1.50 service fee if purchased from the Morongo Casino Resort Spa Box Office (Phone 951-755-5391). Regular fees apply through (Ticketmaster). Hotel reservations can be made by calling the Morongo Casino Resort Spa (888-Morongo).

Doors on the night of the event will open at 3:30 p.m. with the first bell at 4:30 p.m.

Pictures Courtesy Goossen Tutor Promotions

About Morongo Casino Resort Spa:

Morongo (morongocasinoresort.com) is the premier gaming resort in California. Located in Cabazon, California, in the scenic Coachella Valley, Morongo is a prime getaway for residents of Orange County, Ontario, Palm Springs, Palm Desert and Los Angeles. Earning the prestigious AAA Four Diamond Award for nine consecutive years, Morongo offers 310 well-appointed rooms and suites, a 150,000 sq. ft. casino floor, ten restaurants and lounges and continuous world-class entertainment offerings. One of the largest tribal gaming facilities in the country Morongo Casino Resort & Spa is owned and operated by the Morongo Band of Mission Indians.

For more information, follow Dan Goossen/Goossen Tutor on Twitter @DanGoossen, @GoossenTutor and Vanes Martirosyan @VanesBoxing.

Sherman Oaks, CA (March 7, 2014) Former world title challenger and 2004 U.S. Olympian Vanes “The Nightmare” Martirosyan will open his training camp to the Southern California boxing media and fans on Tuesday, MARCH 11 at 3:30 p.m. at the legendary Ten Goose Boxing Gym in Van Nuys, California.

Martirosyan is preparing for his highly anticipated return to the ring on ESPN Friday Night Fights presented by Corona Extra on Friday, MARCH 21 headlining “HOMEWARD BOUND” against tough Mexican brawler Mario “Aguila” Lozano for the WBO Inter-Continental Junior Middleweight Championship at the Morongo Casino Resort Spa in Cabazon, California and telecast LIVE at 6PT/9ET.

Martirosyan will be joined by trainer Joe Goossen and his promoter, Dan Goossen.

WHERE: TEN GOOSE BOXING GYM
14420 Friar St. (1-block south of Victory Blvd.)
Van Nuys, CA

Martirosyan vs. Lozano is presented by Goossen Tutor Promotions.

Advance tickets for “HOMEWARD BOUND” are priced at $55 (sold out) and $35 with a $1.50 service fee if purchased from the Morongo Casino Resort Spa Box Office (Phone 951-755-5391). Regular fees apply through Ticketmaster, (www.Ticketmaster.com). Hotel reservations can be made by calling the Morongo Resort Casino Spa (888-Morongo).

For more information, follow Dan Goossen/Goossen Tutor on Twitter @DanGoossen, @GoossenTutor and Vanes Martirosyan @VanesBoxing.

Sherman Oaks, CA (February 25, 2014) Former world title challenger Vanes “The Nightmare” Martirosyan will have a new foe replacing Luciano Cuello in his bout titled “HOMEWARD BOUND” on Friday, MARCH 21 as hard-hitting Mexican Mario “Aguila” Lozano now enters the ring in the WBO Intercontinental 10-round Championship main event of an ESPN Friday Night Fights presented by Corona Extra at Morongo Casino Resort & Spa in Cabazon, California, and promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions.

“Lozano brings the ability to end a fight with one punch,” said Dan Goossen, President and Founder of Goossen Tutor Promotions. “With 21 of his 27 victories by knockout, you know he will be trying to add Vanes to his KO victims list.”

Just 27-years-old the Armenian born Martirosyan, 32-1-1 (20 KO’s), a native of Glendale, California is returning to action following his WBO Junior Middleweight Title challenge against undefeated, top rated contender Demetrius Andrade on November 9, 2013 in San Antonio, Texas. Despite dropping Andrade for the first time in his career in the opening round, the hard-hitting 2004 U.S. Olympian lost a very competitive 12-round split decision in a bout telecast on HBO.

Winner of nine of his previous 10 bouts (6 by KO), the 26-year-old Lozano, 27-4-0 (21 KO’s), of Chihuahua, Mexico, clashed with hometown favorite Charles Hatley on November 7, 2013 in Dallas, Texas in his most recent start.

Also dropping his Texas based foe in the first stanza, Lozano appeared to win a clear 12-round decision, outworking Hatley throughout the battle. However, all three local judges awarded a highly unpopular decision and the WBC United States Junior Middleweight Title to the Dallas native.

The co-featured televised bout and full undercard will be announced shortly.

The March 21 event will be in held in the Morongo Ballroom, which is located at 49500 Seminole Dr. in Cabazon, California just off Interstate 10. Doors on the night of the event will open at 3:30 p.m. PT with the first bell at 4:30 p.m. PT. The show will air live at 9:00 p.m. ET on ESPN2, broadband Spanish-language ESPN Deportes’ Noche de Combates and also available via the WatchESPN app.

For more information, follow Dan Goossen/Goossen Tutor on Twitter @DanGoossen, @GoossenTutor and Vanes Martirosyan @VanesBoxing.

About Morongo Casino Resort & Spa:

Morongo (morongocasinoresort.com) is the premier gaming resort in California. Located in Cabazon, California, in the scenic Coachella Valley, Morongo is a prime getaway for residents of Orange County, Ontario, Palm Springs, Palm Desert and Los Angeles. Earning the prestigious AAA Four Diamond Award for nine consecutive years, Morongo offers 310 well-appointed rooms and suites, a 150,000 sq. ft. casino floor, ten restaurants and lounges and continuous world-class entertainment offerings. One of the largest tribal gaming facilities in the country Morongo Casino Resort & Spa is owned and operated by the Morongo Band of Mission Indians.

Sherman Oaks, CA (Feb. 4, 2014) Recently signed former world title challenger Vanes ‘The Nightmare” Martirosyan will head back home to fight in front of his hometown fans on Friday, March 21 in a 10-round super welterweight clash against upset minded Argentinian veteran Luciano Cuello in the main event of ESPN Friday Night Fights presented by Corona Extra at Morongo Casino Resort & Spa in Cabazon, California, it was announced today by Goossen Tutor Promotions.

Tickets priced at $35 and $55 for “Goossen Tutor Promotions and Morongo Casino Resort & Spa Presents ESPN Friday Night Fights and presented by Corona Extra” can be purchased at the Morongo Box Office, by phone 951-755-5391, or through Ticketmaster.

“Vanes said he’s ready to go and we’re wasting no time,” said Dan Goossen, President and Founder of Goossen Tutor Promotions of his charge. “We’re excited to give boxing fans in Southern California and those watching on ESPN an opportunity to see Vanes come ‘Homeward Bound’ at Morongo against a very tough and experienced fighter in Cuello. There is a lot to gain for both fighters which always brings out the absolute best in them,” said Goossen.

“We’re also very thrilled to work with the terrific team at ESPN Friday Night Fights on this event and the outstanding staff at the beautiful Morongo Casino Resort & Spa. With Vanes’ popularity in the Southern California area and the venue being only an hour from downtown Los Angeles along with the fan friendly ticket prices, we expect a sell-out crowd in what will only be the second time Vanes has fought in California in the past five years.”

“We are looking forward to the great boxing event Goossen Tutor Promotions is bringing to Morongo Casino Resort and Spa on March 21, 2014,” said Bruce McClure Executive Director of Casino Operations.

Just 27-years-old, the Armenian born Martirosyan, 32-1-1 (20 KO’s), a native of Glendale, California, is returning to action following his WBO Junior Middleweight Title challenge against undefeated top rated contender Demetrius Andrade on November 9 of last year. Despite dropping Andrade for the first time in his career in the first round, the hard-hitting 2004 US Olympian lost a very competitive 12-round split-decision in a bout telecast on HBO.

On November 10, 2012 in Las Vegas, Martirosyan squared off with top rated contender Erislandy Lara in a WBC Super Welterweight Elimination bout. After eight evenly fought rounds Martirosyan suffered a bad cut from an accidental head-butt and the bout was declared a technical draw.

Sporting a record of 33-3-0 (17 KO’s), the 29-year-old Cuello is coming off a fourth round stoppage of Juan Jose Dias in La Plata, Argentina on November 22, 2013.

Prior to the knockout of Dias, Cuello battled highly regarded contender Willie Nelson on June 29, 2013 over ten rounds. Telecast on HBO, Cuello beat Nelson to the punch throughout their back-and-forth bout seemingly winning the fight. However, the three judges awarded the contest to Nelson.

Cuello’s only other two losses were to former world champions, Saul “Canelo” Alverez and a very questionable loss to the then-undefeated Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in Mexico.

“This fight promises the type of all-action affair that Friday Night Fights is known for. Martirosyan may come in as the favorite, but fans who remember Cuello’s fight last year with Nelson know that he will have his hands full with this one,” said Brian Kweder, Senior Director, Programming & Acquisitions.

The March 21 event will be in held in the Morongo Ballroom, which is located at 49500 Seminole Dr. in Cabazon, California just off Interstate 10. Doors on the night of the event will open at 3:30 p.m. PT with the first bell at 4:30 p.m. PT. The show will air live at 9:00 p.m. ET on ESPN2, broadband Spanish-language ESPN Deportes’ Noche de Combates and also available via the WatchESPN app. The Martirosyan-Cuello Bout is promoted in association with DiBella Entertainment.

A full undercard of great fights featuring numerous Southern California prospects will be announced shortly.

For more information, follow Goossen Tutor on Twitter @GoossenTutor, @DanGoossen
and Vanes Martirosyan @VanesBoxing.

About Morongo Casino Resort & Spa:
Morongo (morongocasinoresort.com) is the premier gaming resort in California. Located in Cabazon, California, in the scenic Coachella Valley, Morongo is a prime getaway for residents of Orange County, Ontario, Palm Springs, Palm Desert and Los Angeles. Earning the prestigious AAA Four Diamond Award for nine consecutive years, Morongo offers 310 well-appointed rooms and suites, a 150,000 sq. ft. casino floor, ten restaurants and lounges, and continuous world-class entertainment. One of the largest tribal gaming facilities in the country Morongo Casino Resort & Spa is owned and operated by the Morongo Band of Mission Indians.

Sherman Oaks, CA – (Jan. 29) Make way, Chris Arreola! There’s another “Nightmare” in the Goossen Tutor Promotions stable of boxers, as promoter Dan Goossen today announced the signing of veteran world title challenger and world-ranked contender, Vanes “The Nightmare” Martirosyan.

The 6-0 tall, 27-year old Armenian native, who has lived in Glendale, California since emigrating there with his family at age 4, has compiled an impressive 33-1-1 record with 21 knockouts in his nearly nine years as a professional boxer while fighting under Bob Arum’s Top Rank, Inc. banner. The orthodox-style super welterweight was recently ranked as the #1 contender in most of the world sanctioning organizations. He formerly held the NABF Super Welterweight and NABO Junior Middleweight titles.

“I’m really excited about signing with Goossen Tutor Promotions,” Martirosyan exclaimed. “I see a very bright future ahead of us. I do want to thank Bob (Arum) for all his support the last seven years, I am very grateful and wish them the best of luck.”

Mikey Garcia had to climb off the canvas and come back to score an 8th round stoppage over Roman Martinez and win the WBO Jr. Lightweight championship at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Garcia boxed very well for most of the fight the exception of a brief moment in round 2 when he was caught with a sneaky right hand that sent him to the canvas. That advantage was short lived for Martinez as Garcia started finding a range with his power shots. In round six, a left hook wobbled Martinez. Garcia finished the round landing a nice right hand and a body shot. Garcia continued landing good shots and in round eight he landed a perfect left to the body that sent Martinez down on all fours. he was unable to beat the count and the fight was over at 56 seconds of round eight.

Garcia of Oxnard, CA is now 33-0 with 28 knockouts. Martinez of Puerto Rico is now 27-2-2.

Nonito Donaire made it two for two against Vic Darchinyan as the Filipino Flash had to come from behind to score a ninth round stoppage in their Featherweight bout.

Both guys landed hard shots for the first eight rounds with Darchinyan landing more often and even rocking Donaire, the heavy favorite several times. Finally in round nine, Donaire dropped Darchinyan with a huge left hook. Donaire went in and landed a huge flurry of punches and the fight was stopped at 2:06 of the ninth round. Donaire was down 78-74 on two cards while a 3rd card was even at 76-76.

Donaire is now 32-2 with 21 knockouts. Darchinyan falls to 39-6-1.

Demetrius Andrade won the WBO jr. middleweight championship with a workmanlike split decision over 2004 U.S. Olympian and previously undefeated Vanes Martirosyan.

Andrade of Providence, Rhode Island, is now 20-0 with 13 knockouts and is promoted by Arthur Pelullo’s Banner Promotions and Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing.

Andrade proved early that he had the heart of a champion as he came back from a flash first -round knockdown.

Andrade got off the deck and dominated the rest of the bout as he stuck his hard right jab consistently in
Martirosyan’s face.

Andrade’s best round was the sixth when he hit Martirosyan with repeated power shots that raised swelling around his left eye.

Andrade was never challenged down the stretch as he put on a beautiful boxing exhibition that Martirosyan had no answer for.

According to Compubox Andrade landed 219 of 769 while Martirosyan only managed 83 of 443.

Two judges had Andrade winning by scores of 117-110 and 114-113, While a third judge turned in a dubious card that had Martirosyan ahead 115-112.

“He caught me but I stayed focused,” said Andrade about the knockdown. “I stayed focused and continued to jab and started to pick him apart. I started to feel comfortable inside and won the fight.”

On becoming a world champion, “This feels great and my time is now.”

Said co-promoter Arthur Pelullo, “This is what we envisioned when we signed him. That was to become world champion and he did that tonight. We feel that he is on track to become the best jr. middleweight in the world. Winning this belt puts him in the mix to be able to prove that.”

Mikey Garcia 128 3/4 vs. Rocky Martinez 129 3/4
(WBO jr lightweight title)
Nonito Donaire 125 1/4 vs. Vic Darchinyan 125 3/4
Vanes Martirosyan 153 3/4 vs. Demetrius Andrade 153 3/4
(Vacant WBO jr middleweight title)
Nicholas Walters 125 vs. Alberto Garza 125 1/2
(WBA featherweight title)
Oscar Valdez 127 3/4 vs. Jesus Lule 127 3/4
Alex Saucedo 145 1/4 vs. Steve Hall 146
Erick De Leon 129 3/4 vs. Jesus Aguinaga 130 1/4
Oscar Cantu 117 1/2 vs. Roberto Ceron 118 1/4

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX, (November 7, 2013) The Final Press Conference was held today in Corpus Christi, Texas for this Saturday night’s WBO Junior Middleweight World Championship between top rated contenders Demetrius Andrade and Vanes Martirosyan telecast Live on HBO® from the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. The telecast will start at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT.

Below are quotes from Andrade and Star Boxing’s Joe DeGuardia.

Demetrius Andrade-“Thanks very much to HBO for this opportunity. I’ve waited a long time, five years in the making. There have been a few delays this year but now we’re here and ready to go.”

“They say Vanes hits hard but boxing ain’t easy. I’m in the best shape of my life and ready to bring the belt home to Providence, Rhode Island.”

Joe DeGuardia-“When we (Star Boxing and Banner Promotions) signed Demetrius 5 years ago we said he’d be a World Champion. We knew that Demetrius would get his opportunity and be able to show the world who the best junior middleweight is”

“However, Demetrius has no small challenge in front of him, between him and Vanes they have a combined record of 53-0. It’s a fantastic fight, the winner becomes the WBO Champion and a real player in the division and in boxing.”

“We’re confident that Demetrius has prepared well and is ready for this opportunity.”

ABOUT STAR BOXING:

Star Boxing Inc. celebrated its 20th Anniversary in 2012. Star Boxing has worked to produce some of the most exciting and memorable boxing events in recent history. Star has continued to work with and develop a number of very exciting world champions, world rated contenders and young prospects. Star has consistently brought credibility, integrity, and exciting fights to the boxing industry. For more information on Star Boxing, visit their official website at www.StarBoxing.com and follow them on Twitter @ Star Boxing and Facebook at Star Boxing.

Saturday on Madison Square Garden’s small stage Kazakhstani middleweight titlist Gennady “GGG” Golovkin will fight American Curtis “Showtime” Stevens, on HBO, in a match of the two middleweights most likely to rend with thoughtless ferocity any overmatched unfortunate set across from them. That is, somebody stopped by, say, Vanes Martirosyan at 154 pounds, as Stevens’ last opponent was, ought tremble at rumors of GGG’s approach. And any man knocked-out by Sergio Martinez last year, as Golovkin’s last opponent was, would do well not to be on Showtime’s side of town when night falls.

OK, the leavening of this match with a pinch of facetiousness was overdue, and so there it is, with a concession directly afterwards: Saturday’s fight will be quite entertaining as it happens, in a manner more suspenseful than dramatic, and should end with one man, more likely Stevens, unconscious before its 36th minute completes. Our sport needs more of that, much more, not less, and who cares, then, if Saturday’s champ is unproved and his challenger more so?

That Gennady Golovkin is untested is not a valid reason to dislike him or distrust his abilities. He appears to have a plethora of them and appears, too, to have come along at a fine time, one in which the depth of the middleweight division is hopelessly shallow. Golovkin has risen in all minds to no worse than second best in one of our sport’s storied divisions by beating up Matthew Macklin (1-2 in three fights before Golovkin), Nobuhiro Ishida (1-2 in three fights before Golovkin) and Gabriel Rosado (in his middleweight debut).

There is even talk among serious individuals of calling Golovkin’s rampage through Macklin and Ishida and Rosado – three guys Marvelous Marvin Hagler probably could have beaten in a handicap match, one on three, and Bernard Hopkins would have unmanned in one night, stopping Ishida on the undercard, decisioning Rosado in the co-main and inviting a red towel from Macklin’s corner in the main, all while donning a differently ridiculous mask for each – three quarters of enough to be considered 2013’s fighter of the year, if he is able to beat Stevens on Saturday. Golovkin is nearer his 32nd birthday than his 31st, and that may explain this urgency to place his name among boxing’s best, because it certainly has nothing to do with the strength of his opposition or even, to pause for honesty, his supposedly withering power.

Golovkin is technically sound and accurate, his footwork fine but not otherworldly, his defense average, but he is a friendly gent with a telegenic smile and a chance of graduating from the Manny Pacquiao School of English Conversation, with honors, before 2015. For goodness’ sake, though, here for comparison, is whom (Olympic gold medalist) Oscar De La Hoya had fought by the time he was the same age (Olympic silver medalist) Gennady Golovkin is: Genaro Hernandez, James Leija, Julio Cesar Chavez (twice), Pernell Whitaker, Ike Quartey, Felix Trinidad, Shane Mosley (twice), Arturo Gatti, Fernando Vargas and Yory Boy Campas. That is another way of imparting De La Hoya was already a Grammy-nominated, first-ballot hall-of-famer about to begin the silly season of his career at the age Golovkin is yet to fight an opponent who ranks with one of the names above.

Beating Curtis Stevens, which Golovkin is expected to do even in Stevens’ New York City, the collection of boroughs in which the Brooklynite once terrorized a few no-hopers of his own, will do little to elevate future historians’ estimation of GGG, though losing to Stevens, or even getting his chin checked by a guy once chin-checked by Marcos Primera, will cause no small discomfort for a gathering army of Golovkin partisans who describe the savagery of the Kazakhstani’s attack in terms frightful enough to remind readers of Lucas Matthysse – before September.

There is a standard enjoyed by Golovkin that is a wee bit inexplicable, too, in an era that sees every elite athlete tacitly suspected of PED use, as search engines looking to sate inquiries that marry Golovkin’s name with acronyms like VADA or WADA or USADA return nothing substantive. If our concern is with the perilous effects of pharmaceutically enhanced fists slamming against standard-issue craniums, should we not begin with a man widely considered the boogeyman’s boogeyman – or did athletic programs in the former Soviet Union, of which Kazakhstan was a part, eschew performance-enhancing drugs so spectacularly?

Aficionados desperately wish to discover an unknown entity, and be the ones to say they did, a sparring-session ghoul in need of only one chance at yesterday’s paper champion, just one, to set right the injustices that burn aficionados’ stomachs when they lie down at night, and such a beast’s necessary quotient of mysteriousness is aided, not obstructed, by taciturnity or simple incomprehension of what is asked him. Golovkin has all such ingredients in a batch of accomplishments that do not yet merit his name in a sentence with Sergio Martinez’s unless and until Martinez himself puts it there. Or have we learned nothing from the RJJ and Money eras, and what ultimate dissatisfaction comes of awarding hypothetical victories?

One cannot say yet what happens when Golovkin is hurt in a prizefight, though perhaps Saturday will reward our forbearance with a stiff left-hook counter or accidental headbutt, but if Golovkin’s next four opponents come no closer to revealing it than his last four, let us still our tongues about Floyd Mayweather’s handicapping before the muse again makes us sing Gennady Golovkin’s praises.

Bart Barry can be reached at bart.barrys.email (at) gmail.com

ATLANTA (October 23, 2013) – Undefeated light middleweight Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade (19-0, 13 KOs), a 2008 U.S. Olympian, is on a mission to complete a rare “boxing double” November 9, when he fights 2004 U.S. Olympian Vanes “Nightmare” Martirosyan (33-0-1, 21 KOs) for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) 154-pound title.

Andrade vs. Martirosyan will be part of an HBO tripleheader, airing live from Corpus Christi, Texas, headlined by WBO junior lightweight Roman Martinez’ title defense against Mikey Garcia, in addition to a rematch between former world champions Nonito Donaire and Vic Darchinyan.

In 2007, Andrade captured a gold medal as an amateur at the AIBA World Championships in Chicago. A Nov. 9th victory over Martirosyan would make Andrade one of the few contemporary world champions as both a professional and amateur.

The gifted southpaw can become the first native New Englander to be world champion of a major governing body since Massachusetts-born heavyweight John “The Quietman” Ruiz in 2005, as well as the first Rhode Islander to do the same since Cranston’s light middleweight Vinny “The Pazmanian Devil” in 1991.

“I honestly don’t pay attention to anything other than working hard to reach my goal of becoming world champion,” the 25-year-old said from his Atlanta training camp. “Everything else is irrelevant, at least for right now, as I train for my first world title fight. New England has had a lot of good fighters.

“I do know I am going to be the first (pro) world champion from the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team. I just want to show the boxing world that I am the No. 1 light welterweight in the world and why I will be for years to come. I’m just beginning my legacy. I’m growing in stature and a lot more people are going to know me after November 9th.”

Andrade credits his amateur boxing experience as the primary reason why fighting HBO for the first time won’t be a problem, as well as his 300+ amateur fights giving him an advantage in the ring against any opponent.

“HBO is a big stage and I’m grateful to be fighting on HBO for the first time,” Andrade noted, “but there’s no bigger stage in boxing, world-wide, than The Olympics. I’ve fought under the bright lights, so fighting on HBO won’t be anything new for me, or a distraction in any way.

“I’ve seen and beaten every style, fighting amateur opponents from all over the world, but nobody in the pros has fought anybody like me. I’m going into this fight with a lot of confidence. I’ve prepared for this moment my entire life. This is my time!”

Go online to www.BooBooBoxing for additional information about Demetrius Andrade and follow on Twitter and Instagram @BooBooBoxing.

ATLANTA (October XX, 2013) – The journey continues for undefeated 2008 U.S. Olympian Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade (19-0, 13 KOs) as he prepares for his November 9th world title fight in Corpus Christi, Texas, against 2004 U.S. Olympian Vanes “Nightmare” Martirosyan (33-0-1, 21 KOs) for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior middleweight championship.

Andrade vs. Martirosyan will be part of an HBO tripleheader, headlined by the WBO junior lightweight title fight between defending champion Roman Martinez and challenger Mikey Garcia, and a rematch between former world champions Nonito Donaire and Vic Darchinyan.

The 25-year-old Andrade was originally slated to challenge then WBO champion Zaurbek Baysangurov last July. The Russian pulled out of the fight with an injury and was stripped of his title belt, leaving the world title vacant to set-up the Nov. 9 showdown between the top two rated WBO 154-pounders, respectively, Martirosyan and Andrade.

Andrade, fighting out of Providence (RI), has been at training camp in Atlanta with his father/head trainer, Paul Andrade. They have brought in a half-dozen sparring partners, mostly tall with quick hand speed, to prepare for Martirosyan.

“This title fight is part of my journey,” the 2007 AIBA World Championships gold medalist Andrade said. “When I first started boxing, I said that I’d fight in The Olympics, become world champion, and retire undefeated. I will become the first boxer from the 2008 U.S. Olympic Boxing Team to become world champion as a professional. This is the opportunity I’ve waited for my whole life. It is going to open my door to stardom, letting boxing fans know I’m here. This is it!

“I was supposed to fight for the world title in July but I believe everything happens for a reason. I’ve had more time to work with my dad. I’m stronger, faster and this camp has been better organized and structured than any I’ve had in the past. I’m growing and developing all the time.”

While Martirosyan has been talking about fights with Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and others, Andrade has fully concentrated on Martirosyan and the task at hand. Their only common opponent is Angel Hernandez, who Martirosyan defeated by 10-round decision in 2008, and Andrade stopped in the second round of his last fight this past January.

“He can talk all he wants about fighting other guys,” Andrade remarked, “but if he thinks fighting me is going to be a walk in the park, he’s going to be in big trouble. I’m coming for him and he doesn’t know how bad that’s going to be for him.

“He’s already had 34 fights and this is his first title fight, which says something about him. He doesn’t do anything great. He’s not slick, his feet are all over the place, and he jumps in to throw punches. He walks in, loading up to throw big punches. He wasn’t impressive against (Erislandy) Lara or even Joe Greene.”

Team Andrade hopes Martirosyan is looking past the slick southpaw. “This is going to be a tough fight and we respect Vanes,” Andrade’s manager Ed Farris added, “but Alvarez shouldn’t waste his time thinking about a fight with Martirosyan. We’re confident that Demetrius will be walking out of the ring with the WBO belt on November 9th.

Follow Demetrius Andrade on Twitter @BooBooBoxing.

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX (September 18, 2013) — The Lone Star State will play host to an exciting tripleheader featuring two world championship fights and a grudge rematch between former world champions that’s been building for over six years. Two-time World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior lightweight champion ROMAN “Rocky” MARTINEZ will defend his title against undefeated former WBO featherweight champion MIKEY GARCIA; 2012 Fighter of the Year NONITO “Filipino Flash” DONAIRE and former two-division world champion VIC “Raging Bull” DARCHINYAN will be looking to settle each other’s hash in a 10-round featherweight rumble and undefeated No. 1 and No. 2 contenders and one-time U.S. Olympians VANES “The Nightmare” MARTIROSYAN and DEMETRIUS “Boo Boo” ANDRADE will battle it out for the vacant WBO junior middleweight title This boxing extravaganza will take place Saturday, November 9, at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, TX. All three fights will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark®, beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT.

Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with Foreman Boys Promotions, PR Best Boxing, Arthur Pelullo’s Banner Promotions, Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing and Tecate, tickets to the Martinez vs. Garcia world championship event will go on sale This Friday! September 20, at 10:00 a.m. CT. Tickets, priced at $200, $100, $60, $40 and $25, plus applicable charges, can be purchased at the American Bank Center Box Office (Monday-Friday, 10am-6pm), all Ticketmaster Outlets (HEB Stores), ticketmaster.com, or by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

“This fight is a great opportunity to clear any doubts about my value as a world champion, “Martinez said to Primera Hora. “A win over Garcia will prove that I am a real champion and it will take me to the next level.”

“I’m fighting a defending champion. It won’t be easy but I think I have all the tools to beat Rocky,” said Garcia. “I want to be champion again and Rocky is in my way. I will become champion again.”

“This is a very important fight for me,” said Darchinyan. “It gives me the opportunity to face and defeat an opponent who beat me in the past. This win will be sweet revenge for me.”

“I am ready to go,” said Martirosyan. “The last fight postponement might be a blessing in disguise because it is just making me hungrier and hungrier every day. I just can’t wait to get into the ring and prove how badly I want this. I have been training very hard and have a great game plan with Freddie Roach. A lot of one-on-one with Freddie, combined with great sparring and training along with the likes of Miguel Cotto and George St. Pierre. That has been very inspirational and motivating. Andrade is a great fighter. I hope he is ready to go to war. We are on HBO and I plan on stealing the spotlight that night with a very exciting and entertaining win for the fans.”

“I am looking forward to this fight and have been waiting for this fight ever since I walked into the gym at age 7”, said Andrade. “I always wanted to be champion of the world and on November 9th I will be crowned champion. I wanted to win an Olympic gold medal and since they took that from me, I am going to take this world title. I was a 2008 Olympian and he made it in 2004. It’s great that the fans will get to see two Olympians battle on HBO. I know I will bring home the title.”

“We are proud to present to the fans of Corpus Christi a fistic feats involving some of the greatest boxers in the world,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum. “There are at least five fights on this card which could be the main event in any arena. This will be the most exciting night ever for boxing fans in Corpus Christi.”

“In all three fights, fans expect big statements to be made in the ring,” said Peter Nelson, director of programming, HBO Sports. “The night presents a fistic hat-trick of exciting match-ups in which the momentum can shift at any time.”

Martinez (27-1-2, 16 KOs), of Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, captured his first world title in 2009, knocking out defending champion Nicky Cook in the fourth round of a bout held in Cook’s backyard, Manchester, England. Rocky successfully defended the belt twice — both by knockout — during his 18-month reign before losing it to Ricky Burns in Scotland in a hotly-contested battle that saw the close decision go to Burns. He bagen his second and current world championship tenure last year, winning the vacant WBO junior lightweight crown with a majority decision over Miguel Beltran, Jr. a toe-to-toe brawl that had the crowd on its feet from the opening bell. He has successfully defended his title twice since regaining it, a Draw against Juan Carlos Burgos and a split decision over Diego Magdaleno, last January and April, respectively.

Garcia (32-0, 27 KOs), of Oxnard, Calif., a 2010 graduate of California’s Ventura County Police and Sheriff’s Reserve Officer Academy, returns to the ring having won 15 of his past 17 bouts by knockout and has not gone the distance in over three years. He captured the WBO featherweight title in January, dethroning two-time featherweight champion Orlando Salido at Madison Square Garden via an eight-round technical win that had Garcia winning virtually every round against the seasoned veteran. He was forced to vacate the title in his first defense, for not being able to make the 126-pound weight limit. Though drained, he was still able to rise to the occasion and knock out former two-division world champion Juan Manuel “Juanma” Lopez in the fourth round last June. Garcia, 25, had a career-best year in 2012, knocking out one-time world title challenger Bernabe Concepcion and former world champion Mauricio Pastrana, in the seventh and second rounds, respectively. He ended his 2012 campaign by knocking out former World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight champion Jonathan Barros in the eighth round last November. Garcia is trained by his father Eduardo Garcia and co-managed and trained by his brother, 2012 Trainer of the Year Robert Garcia, the former International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior lightweight champion.

Donaire (31-2, 20 KOs), a native of General Santos City, Philippines, now living in Las Vegas, Nev., has been a consensus top-10 pound-for-pound fighter for several years. His 12-year, 30-bout winning streak came to an end in his last fight, losing a decision to undefeated Cuban sensation and WBA super bantamweight champion Guillermo Rogondeaux in a title unification bout last April. Trained by 2012 Trainer of the Year and former world champion Robert Garcia, Donaire is himself the reigning Fighter of the Year. 2012 was a career year for Donaire, winning four world title fights — all televised live on HBO. Highlights included capturing the vacant WBO junior featherweight title in February, winning a gritty split-decision battle over former world champion Wilfredo Vazquez, Jr. He unified the title later that summer, via a dominant unanimous decision victory over defending IBF champion Jeffrey Mathebula. Donaire followed that victory with another legacy-making knockout — a ninth-round stoppage of WBC Diamond Belt super bantamweight champion Toshiaki Nishioka in October, ending Nishioka’s eight-year, 16-bout winning streak. Donaire capped the year in December, blasting out Méxican icon Jorge Arce via a third-round knockout. Career highlights for Donaire also include knockout victories of defending IBF / International Boxing Organization (IBO) flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan, in the fifth round, the first loss of Darchinyan’s professional career, former WBA bantamweight champion Wladimir Sidorenko, in the fourth round, and defending WBC / WBO bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel in the second round, ending Montiel’s 25-bout winning streak while also claiming his third world title in as many weight divisions. That victory was named the 2011 Knockout of the Year.

Darchinyan (39-5-1, 28 KOs), a native of Armenia whose home base has been Sydney, Australia, is one of the lower division’s most exciting fighters. A member of Armenia’s 2000 Olympic boxing team, he won his first world title in his 22nd professional bout, knocking out undefeated International IBF flyweight champion Irene Pacheco in the 11th round of their 2004 battle, ending Pacheco’s five-year reign. During his own three-year tenure as world champion, Darchinyan successfully defended his title six times – all by stoppage – against the division’s top contenders. After losing the title and his undefeated record to Donaire, in 2007, Darchinyan moved up in weight and claimed the IBF junior bantamweight crown, knocking out defending champion Dimitri Kirilov in the fifth round. He unified the 115 pound world titles in his next fight, knocking out WBC / WBA super flyweight champion Cristian Mijares in the ninth round. The first person to unify three of the titles in that weight division He successfully defended his titles three times during his two-year reign as unified super flyweight champion, including an 11th-round stoppage of Méxican icon Jorge Arce. Darchinyan vacated his titles in mid-2010 to campaign as a bantamweight, defeating former IBF bantamweight champion Yonnhy Perez, Evans Mbamba and Eric Barcelona, while losing competitive decisions to world champions Abner Mares, Joseph Agbeko and Shinsuke Yamanaka. Last September, Darchinyan made his debut as a super bantamweight, winning the NABF title by shellacking previously undefeated prospect Luis Del Valle. Darchinyan returns to the ring fresh from a fourth-round knocked out of Francisco Gallo in May. Darchinyan is currently world-rated No. 2 by the WBO and the WBC, No. 4 by the WBA and No. 5 by the IBF.

Martirosyan (33-0-1, 21 KOs), a native of Armenia who fights out of Glendale, Calif., is one of the super welterweight division’s most promising contenders. A member of the 2004 U.S. Olympic team, Martirosyan’s amateur resume boasts victories over future world champions Timothy Bradley, Jr., Austin Trout and Andre Berto. Trained by Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach, Martirosyan captured his first title in 2009, knocking out defending NABA/NABO champion Willie Lee. He successfully defended the title in his next fight, in 2010, a 10-round unanimous decision victory over former IBF junior middleweight champion Kassim Ouma. He added the NABF title to his trophy case with another 10-round unanimous decision later that same year, at Yankee Stadium, this time over previously undefeated Joe Greene, and captured the World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver super welterweight title in 2011, via a seventh-round TKO of Saul Roman. Currently world-rated No. 1 by the WBO, Martirosyan returns to the ring fresh from knocking out Ryan Davis, his seventh knockout victim in his last 11 fights.

Andrade (19-0, 13 KO), of Providence, RI, has been a mainstay on television since making his professional debut following his stint on the 2008 U.S. Olympic team. Co-promoted by Banner Promotions and Star Boxing, Andrade’s aggressive style has attracted and created fans on both coasts of the U.S. One doesn’t have to look any further than his recent record where Andrade has stopped five of his last seven opponents. In his last fight, Andrade pasted one-time world title challenger Freddy Hernandez for 10 rounds, winning every round on all three judges’ card en route to a unanimous decision victory. Andrade is currently world-rated No. 2 by the WBO.

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com and www.hbo.com/boxing, Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/hboboxing, and facebook.com/trboxeo, and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, or twitter.com/hboboxing.

PHILADELPHIA (July 29, 2013)—On Saturday September 7th, former U.S. Olympian and undefeated Demetrius Andrade will vie for his first world championship, when he takes on fellow former U.S. Olympian Vanes Martirosyan in a twelve round bout from the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles.

The bout, which will be televised live on HBO Championship Boxing, will be the co-feature to the Super Middleweight clash between Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Bryan Vera.

Demetrius Andrade of Providence, Rhode Island was a former world amateur champion and has a perfect professional mark of 19-0 with thirteen knockouts and is currently the number two contender for the WBO belt.

Vanes Martiroysan of Glendale, California is 33-0-1 with 21 knockouts.

Andrade, who is co-promoted by Banner Promotions and Star Boxing, was scheduled to contend for the belt on July 6th but an injury to then-champion Zaurbek Baysangurov forced the title to become vacant, thus setting up this showdown of undefeated former Olympians.

“I am looking forward to this fight and have been waiting for this fight ever since I walked into the gym at age 7”, said Andrade.

“I always wanted to be champion of the world and on September 7th I will be crowned champion. I wanted to win an Olympic gold medal and since they took that from me, I am going to take this world title.”

“I was a 2008 Olympian and he made it in 2004. I will show him that if I was around in 2003 and 2004, he would not have made the team”, finished Andrade.“This will be an outstanding fight and we worked hard on getting this fight on HBO”, said Banner Promotions CEO Arthur Pelullo.

“We feel that Demetrius has all the talent to become a star in this sport and only needed the opportunity on this kind of stage and on September 7th he will get that chance. I want to thank my partner Joe DeGuardia, HBO, Top Rank and the WBO for making this great fight. I have a feeling that after September 7th, not only will Demetrius be a world champion but he will be a household name and in line for even bigger fights.”

Undefeated Jr. Middleweight contender Vanes Martirosyan suffered a broken thumb and wont be able to compete in his April 6th fight against Javier Maciel in Macau, China according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

I hit him on the elbow when I was going to the body and I hurt my thumb,” Martirosyan told ESPN.com on Monday. “It hurt and then I told [trainer] Freddie [Roach] that I thought something was wrong and I went to see the doctor and they said it was fractured.”

“The doctor said the longer I can go without punching the better, but he knows I’m a fighter, so I’m looking at three weeks,” Martirosyan said.

“It would have been nice to see how the people support boxing over there, but things happen for a reason and you have to wait it out,” he said. “I’m doing good, but it’s frustrating. I can’t really get upset about it. Life goes on. I have to stay focused and keep training, but I am bummed out about the trip.”

Golden Boy Promotions won the purse bid to stage the rematch of the WBC Super Welterweight elimination bout between Vanes Martirosyan and Erislandy Lara according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

Golden Boy won the bid with $410,000 offer to Top Rank’s bid of $62,500

The two fought to a technical draw on November 10th in a bout that was supposed to give champion Saul Alvarez a mandatory challenger.

“It’s the fight we want, the fight we want to go back and do,” said Luis DeCubas Jr., Lara’s manager. “I think everyone had Lara winning the fight the first time around except two of the judges. We haven’t spoken on dates yet with Golden Boy. They said they would go out and win the purse bid and that’s exactly what they did. Lara will be ready to fight tomorrow, in 60 days, in 90 days, whenever.”

“HBO showed zero interest in the fight; mainly and rightfully so because of Lara’s style,” said Top Rank’s Carl Moretti. “Can’t blame them. They actually are cognizant of what they air and we respect that.”

DeCubas said whatever network puts on the fight, he was happy that Golden Boy made a commitment to it with its strong bid.

“There are a few networks I think that would buy the fight,” he said. “Golden Boy put up a great number, which we are happy about. So let’s see where it winds up

Former Olympians Vanes Martirosyan and Erislandy Lara battled to a technical draw after a cut over the left eye of Martirosyan forced the bout to be stopped in the ninth round of their WBC Super Welterweight elimination bout at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas.

It was a close fight that saw Martirosyan fight well early and Lara coming on late before a headbutt caused a nasty cut above the left eye of Martirosyan.

At the time of the stoppage the scores read 86-85 Martirosyan, 87-84 Lara and 86-86.

Martirosyan, 153 lbs of Glendale, CA is 32-0-1NC while Lara, 153 1/2 lbs Guantanamo, CUB is 17-1-1-1NC

Mikey Garcia scored a eighth round stoppage over Jonathan Barros in round eight of a scheduled ten round Super Featherweight bout.

It was a competitive bout that saw Garcia get ahead with combination punching while Barros was effective at times with body punches. Barros had a good round seven when he landed a left that startled Garcia.

The following round saw Garcia land a perfect left hook that deposited Barros on the canvas. When he got to his feet referee Robert Byrd asked hi if he wanted to continue but his body language said otherwise and the bout was stopped at 2:24.

Garcia, 128 1/2 lbs of Moreno Valley, CA will now look for a world title shot with Orlando Salido with a record of 30-0 with twenty-six knockouts. Barros, 128 lbs of Santa Fe, ARG is now 34-4-1.