All posts by FNU47

boxing

TMB & PRB Entertainment Presents “Whose “0” Must Go” Boxing Event April 21 in San Antonio, TX

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SAN ANTONIO, TX (March 29, 2018) – TMB & PRB Entertainment, presents “Whose “0” Must Go”, live professional boxing Saturday April 21, 2018, from the Mi Mercado Event Center in San Antonio, TX. The 6-round main event will feature welterweights, James Cantu(10-0, 4 KOs) vs. Jairo Castaneda (9-0, 3 KOs), two undefeated local natives who will put their unbeaten records on the line, in their hometown. In the 6-round co-main event, local fan favorite, Daniel “Da Beast” Baiz (12-1, 6 KOs), will face an opponent TBA.

 

 

 

The undercard will showcase nine additional bouts, mostly consisting of local talent. This will be the second boxing event put on by TMB & PRB Entertainment at the Mi Mercado Event Center. The first being last month, with Mikey Garcia Promotions as the sponsor.

 

 

 

“We are thrilled to bring live boxing back to the Mi Mercado Event Center, especially with two undefeated local boys fighting in the main event.” said Rick Morones, president of TMB & PRB Entertainment. “I’m expecting a sold-out show, so I advise everyone to get their tickets well in advance. This card will be filled with some action-packed fights.”

 

 

 

“Rick Morones is doing a fantastic job promoting live boxing throughout the city of San Antonio,” said Greg Hannley, CEO of Prince Ranch Boxing, who manages the career of Daniel “Da Beast” Baiz. “With Daniel being very popular in his hometown, I’m looking forward to seeing all his fans in the crowd. San Antonio has amazing fans and the city is becoming a great fight town.”

 

 

 

Ringside tickets priced at $100, and general admission $30, are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (210) 449-5599 or (210) 322-9974. The Mi Mercardo Event Center is located at 227 New Laredo Hwy, San Antonio, TX. Doors open at 6:00 PM, first bell at 7:30 PM.

 

Amateur MMA, Combate Americas, mixed martial arts, MMA

UNIVISION DEPORTES AND COMBATE AMERICAS ANNOUNCE MULTI-YEAR, LIVE PROGRAMMING AGREEMENT FOR WORLD’S PREMIER HISPANIC MMA SPORTS SERIES

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2018 Lineup includes 16 Television Airings
Across Univision Networks
Historic Partnership Begins with Live Univision Broadcast
 of “Combate Estrellas I” from Los Angeles on Friday, April 13

NEW YORK – March 29, 2018 – Univision Deportes and Combate Americas, the premier Hispanic Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sports franchise, today jointly announced a historic, multi-year partnership to produce and distribute live Combate Americas fight programming on Univision and Univision Deportes Network (UDN).
 

The agreement marks the first time ever that Univision Deportes will produce and distribute live MMA programming and, in 2018, will include a total of 16 television airings, beginning with a live, 90-minute broadcast on Univision (12am ET/ 12am PT) and UDN (12am ET/ 9pm PT) of the recently announced “Combate Estrellas I” show at Shrine in Los Angeles, Calif. on Friday, April 13.
 

“We’re incredibly excited that our growth last year has culminated with a new partnership with Univision Deportes, a sports media brand that is home to some of the best sports and entertainment programming,” said Combate Americas CEO Campbell McLaren.
 

“Univision Deportes is proud to partner with Combate Americas in an effort to bring fans the best programming of one of the most popular sports today,” said Juan Carlos Rodriguez, President, Univision Deportes. “As the leading Spanish-language sports brand, our commitment to deliver high-quality sports content is reinforced through this new partnership, bringing fanáticos the top MMA events in a way that only Univision Deportes knows best.”

 

The complete 2018 schedule, which will be announced soon, will include several dates across Univision and UDN.

 

The live shows will all air in a 90-minute window and will follow the live stream of Combate Americas preliminary bout cards on UnivisionDeportes.com.

 

The live Univision broadcast of “Combate Estrellas I” will be headlined by a much-anticipated, bantamweight (135 pounds) rematch between John “Sexi Mexi” Castaneda (16-3), representing the U.S., and Marc “Lufo” Gomez (21-11), representing Spain.

 

In the co-main event, five-division world boxing champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano (0-0), fighting out of Brooklyn, N.Y., will make her long-awaited MMA rules debut, representing Puerto Rico against rising star Erendira “Aketzaly” Ordoñez (2-1) of Mexico in a flyweight (125 pounds) contest.

 

A featherweight (145 pounds) contest between hard-hitting knockout artist Jose “Froggy” Estrada (4-1), representing the U.S. and fellow striking machine Pablo “Gallo Negro” Sabori (8-4) of Mexico, will open the live broadcast.

 

The complete preliminary bout card, which will stream live on UnivisionDeportes.com, will be announced soon.

 

Since it launched its live event series in 2015, Combate Americas has emerged as a destination for the best, new fighters from the U.S., Latin America and Spain, and a platform pitting athletes, in a country versus country style format, facing each other in “La Jaula,” the Combate Americas competition cage.

mixed martial arts, MMA, NBC, PFL

Professional Fighters League Announces Deal With Mark Burnett And MGM Television

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Washington, DC (March 29, 2018) — The Professional Fighters League (PFL), the world’s only major mixed martial arts league, announced today that they are partnering with Mark Burnett, President of MGM Television Group & Digital and MGM Television to develop and produce new content and programming for PFL’s upcoming season. MGM and Burnett (Survivor, The Voice, Shark Tank, The Contender) will both join as PFL investors and Burnett has personally been added to the advisory board. The PFL 2018 league season debuts June 7 and consists of 11 events live on NBC Sports Network and Facebook Watch.

 

 

The Professional Fighters League is the first organization ever to present MMA as a true sport with individual fighters competing in regular season, “win-and-advance” playoffs, and season-ending championship. The new partnership with MGM Television will bring unscripted programming and short-form content to PFL’s multi-platform distribution designed to maximize engagement with MMA’s 300 million fans worldwide. The initial unscripted series will engage fans in the day to day life of the fighters and feature a parallel tournament whose champion will win a spot in the PFL league playoffs.

 

 

“We are thrilled to partner with MGM Television and Mark Burnett,” said Peter Murray, Chief Executive Officer of Professional Fighters League. “Mark’s creative vision for delivering innovative live content is among the absolute best the industry has to offer – and that is exactly what we will bring MMA fans this season.”

 

 

Earlier this year, PFL announced exclusive multi-platform distribution agreements for the 2018 season with NBC Sports Group and Facebook. NBC Sports Group will establish an exclusive live Thursday night PFL fight franchise, presenting seven regular-season live events in prime time exclusively on NBCSN beginning June 7 through the end of August.

 

 

“It’s no secret that MMA’s audience is rapidly growing and PFL has an enormous global presence. As an enthusiast for innovation within the television industry, I’m passionate about the growth and vision of PFL and it’s time this sport revolves around a league format,” said Burnett. “They’re elevating the sport in an entirely new way and I’m looking forward to being part of it.”

 

 

In addition to the live events, the development deal will feature PFL’s “What Do you Fight For?” programming that brings viewers short-form digital & social content that will showcase the day-to-day lives and back stories of the fighters, designed to help build online communities of PFL’s fan base and encourage engagement among fans, fighters, and PFL’s on-air talent. Viewers can follow PFL athletes through an array of short-form original content, such as the “Top 10 of The Week, Path to the Finals, 24:7: Life of a Fighter, and “Inside the Gym” Cam.

 

 

“PFL is thrilled to partner with Mark Burnett the innovator and icon who invented and perfected unscripted TV,” said Donn Davis, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of the PFL. “The PFL is re-imagining MMA and the start of the 2018 Season June 7 will bring fans the same excitement and ‘hey, I have never seen that’ reaction they felt when Survivor debuted and ushered in the new age of television.”

 

 

ABOUT PROFESSIONAL FIGHTERS LEAGUE

 

 

The Professional Fighters League brings the sport format to MMA for the first time with a regular season, post-season, and championship. The PFL is co-founded by Donn Davis, Russ Ramsey, and Mark Leschly and backed by business titans in sports, media, and technology. The Professional Fighters League purchased the fighting operations and event infrastructure of the World Series of Fighting (WSOF) and will launch its first season in June 2018 on NBC Sports Network and Facebook. For more visit www.PFLmma.com.

M-1, M-1 Challenge, mixed martial arts, MMA, Russia

M-1 CHALLENGE 90 OFFICIAL WEIGHTS & PICTURES

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SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (March 29, 2018) — The official weigh in was held today for tomorrow’s M-1 Challenge 90 card to be held at M-1 Arena in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Below find the official fighters’ weight and pictures.

 

MAIN CARD


 

MAIN EVENT — M-1 CHALLENGE WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP- 5 X 5

(R) Alexey Kunchenko (17-0-0, M-1: 9-0-0), Champion, Russia -169.32 lbs. (76.8 kg)

(L) Alexander Butenko (45-12-3, M-1: 11-2-1), Challenger, Russia -169.75 lbs. (77 kg)


CO-FEATURE – MIDDLEWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

(L) Joe Riggs (47-17-0, 1 NV, M-1: 2-0-0), USA – 183.86 lbs. (83.4 kg.)

(R) Boris Polejay (18-6-0, M-1: 2-1-0), Ukraine – 184.75 lbs. (83.8 kg.)


FLYWEIGHTS — 3 X 5

(L) Rafael Dias (14-5-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Brazil – 133.6 lbs. (60.6 kg.) – yellow card

(R) Vadim Malygin (12-3-1, M-1: 2-2-1), Russia – 124.78 lbs. (56.6 kg.)


CATCHWEIGHT – 3 X 5

(L) Sado Ucar (5-4-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Turkey – 160.72 lbs. (72.9 kg.)

(R) Magomedkamil Malikov (4-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Russia – 161.71 lbs. (73.35 kg.)

MIDDLEWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

(L) Salmar Nunes (35-12-1, 1 NC, M-1: 0-0-0), Brazil – 182.32 lbs. (82.7 kg.)

(R) Oleg Olenichev (9-5-0, M-1: 1-1-0), Russia – 184.53 lbs. (83.7 kg.)

 

PRELIMINARY CARD

 

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

El Anwar Bakary (5-5-0, M-1: 0-0-0), France – 201.28 lbs. (91.3 kg.)

Alexander Popov (2-0-0, M-1: 2-0-0), Russia – 203.26 lbs. (92.2 kg.)

 

Abylkasym Yakubov (4-4-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Kyrgyzstan – 203.71 lbs. (92.4 kg.)

Dmitry Tebekin (8-3-0, M-1: 2-1-0) – 205.03 lbs. (93 kg.)

 

CATCHWEIGHT – 3 X 5

Nureles Aidarov (2-0-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Kyrgyzstan – 130.07 lbs. (59 kg.)

Oleg Lichkovakha (3-2-0, 2 NC, M-1: 0-1-0, 1 NC) – 129.63 lbs. (58.8 kg.)

 

MIDDLEWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

Vyacheslav Babkin (pro debut), Russia – 184.75 lbs. (83.8 kg.)

Vladimir Trusov (pro debut), Russia – 184.30 lbs. (83.6 kg.)

 

WELTERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

Movsar Bokov (3-1-0, M-1: 2-1-0), Russia – 169.76 lbs. (77 kg.)

Levan Solodovnik (5-2-0, M-1: 1-1-0), Georgia – 169.53 lbs. (76.9 kg.)

 

LIGHTWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

Lom-Ali Nalgiev (14-6-0, M-1: 5-1-0), Russia – 164.68 lbs. (74.7 kg.)

Kurban Taygibov (6-1-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Russia – 160.93 lbs. (73 kg.)

 

Tahir Abdullaev (6-0-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Azerbaijan – 154.32 lbs. (70.3 kg.)

Roman Bogatov (4-0-0, M-1: 3-0-0), Russia – 154.98 lbs. (72.9 kg.)

 

FEATHERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

Damien Peltier (8-8-1, M-1: 0-0-0), France – 144.84 lbs. (65.7 kg.)

Maksim Kuldashev (2-0-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Uzbekistan – 144.84 lbs. (65.7 kg.)

 

(all fights & fighters subject to change)

 

 

 

 

WHERE:         M-1 Arena, Saint Petersburg, Russia

 

PROMOTER: M-1 Global

 

LIVE STREAM: www.m1global.tv (10.30 a.m. ET / 7:30 a.m. PT in USA). Also available on FITE.TV (preliminary card is free, $7.99 for the main card)

 

INFORMATION:

 

 

www.M1Global.tv

www.mixfight.ru
boxing

Mis Downing Promotions kicks off Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend with a terrific night of boxing at The Claridge Hotel in Atlantic City on Friday, June 1st

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Atlantic City, New Jersey (March 29, 2018)–Mis Downing Promotions will officially kick off the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame 2nd Annual Induction Weekend Friday, June 1st, with a great night of professional boxing at The Claridge: A Radisson Hotel.

 

 

 

The fight card on Friday June 1st in the Celebrity Theater at the Claridge Hotel will precede a great show that will take place the next evening Saturday June 2nd at Historic Boardwalk Hall {Adrian Phillips Theater} where Mis Downing Promotions will be working in associating with 4-Time Heavyweight Champ Evander “Real Deal” Holyfield and his new promotion company Real Deal Sports & Entertainment.

 

 

 

“I am ecstatic to be able to promote a great card on Friday June 1st.  We wish to set the tone for the Hall of Fame weekend with a great show at The Claridge, and then again the next night with Evander Holyfield,” Said Mis Downing, CEO of Mis Downing Promotions.

 

 

 

Full details on the card and ticket information will be announced shortly.

 

 

Mis Downing Promotions would like to thank their sponsors which include: The Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame, The Claridge Hotel, Fantasea Resorts, AEI Insurance, Urgent Response, HairX, Buy Smart Motors & New Vision Property Management.

boxing, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

VIDEO: SHOWTIME SPORTS® PREVIEWS SATURDAY’S ANTHONY JOSHUA vs. JOSEPH PARKER HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP UNIFICATION

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“We have two undefeated heavyweight champions.  How big of a night is this?  It’s massive.” – IBF & WBA Champion Anthony Joshua

 

“They underestimate me as a fighter.  I just feel it’s my time.” – WBO Champion Joseph Parker

 

Watch, Share & Embed Via SHO Sports YouTube: https://youtu.be/ioZTYk-ezNE

 

013_Anthony_Joshua_and_Joseph_Parker.jpg

Credit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

 

WHAT: Hear from undefeated heavyweight world champions Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker in this SHOWTIME Sports video preview in advance of Saturday’s Heavyweight World Championship Unification live on SHOWTIME. VIDEO:https://youtu.be/ioZTYk-ezNE

 

IBF and WBA Champion Joshua and WBO Champion Parker will square off in the 11th unification in heavyweight history on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING beginning live at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT.  The blockbuster in Cardiff, Wales is expected to tie the all-time indoor attendance record in boxing with nearly 80,000 fans packing Principality Stadium on Saturday. 

 

“I’m not worried about no one,” said Joshua, who owns a perfect 20-0 record with 20 knockouts.  “I’m facing all challengers.  Undefeated champions, I’m beating champions, I’m beating legends.”

 

Countered Parker: “I’ve wanted this fight for a long time.  They underestimate me as a fighter.  I just feel it’s my time.”

FITETV, M-1, M-1 Challenge, mixed martial arts, MMA, Russia

M-1 LIVE: Kunchenko vs. Butenko + UFC star Joe Riggs in co-main event: Watch Here

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M-1 steps its game up yet again with its 90th edition. Live from their arena in St. Petersburg we will watch a night of MMA stars go against each other.

The special guest will be Joe Riggs – a UFC and Bellator star who will face off against Boris Polezhay in the co-main event.

The main event will be a match between undefeated Aleksey Kunchenko who is on a 17 win streak against Alexander Butenko.

Full line up and more info in the link below.

M-1 Challenge 90

boxing

Hard Hitting Promotions presents stacked card this Friday Night at The Fillmore in Philadelphia

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Raymond Serrano vs Malik Hawkins in Main Event

 

Plus a plethora of the best prospects in boxing
 

 

 

Philadelphia, PA (March 29, 2018) – TOMORROW NIGHT!!!  at The Fillmore in Philadelphia, Hard Hitting Promotions will present an outstanding 10 bout card that has a can’t miss main event, and will feature some of the most talented fighters in the country.

 

 

 

 

In the aforementioned featured attraction, Raymond Serrano of Philadelphia will battle undefeated Malik Hawkins of Baltimore, MD in a ten-round battle for the NABA-USA Welterweight Championship.

 

 

 

 

Serrano, 28 years-old has a record of 24-4 with 10 knockouts.  The former amateur standout is riding a three-fight winning streak.  The 11 year veteran, who is managed by Mark Cipparone has wins over Ashantie Henrickson (1-0), Jay Krupp (12-1), Ronnie Warrior Jr. (13-2-1), Ayi Bruce (15-2-1), Jerome Rodriguez (6-1-3), Zack Ramsey (8-1), and his last bout when he won via 8th round disqualification over previously undefeated Enver Halili (10-0) on November 18th in Atlantic City.

 

 

 

 

Hawkins, 22 years-old, has record of 12-0 with nine knockouts.  The four-year professional exploded onto the scene with a 2nd round destruction over previously undefeated Carlos Soto (13-0-2) on April 14, 2017 in Oxon Hill, Maryland in a bout that was nationally televised on ShoBox: The New Generation.  Hawkins is coming off a 7th round stoppage over Juan Jesus Rivera on November 4th.

 

 

 

 

One of the most talent laden undercards in recent memory has been put together.

 

 

 

 

In six-round bouts:

 

 

 

 

Darmani Rock (10-0, 6 KOs) of Philadelphia battles Ronny Hale (4-11, 4 KOs) of Austin, Texas in a heavyweight bout.

 

 

 

 

Hard Hitting Promotions elite-prospect Branden Pizarro (8-1, 4 KOs) of Philadelphia battles 32 fight veteran Pablo Cupul of San Diego in a lightweight bout.

 

 

 

 

Hard Hitting Promotions Samuel Teah (12-2-1, 5 KOs) of Philadelphia fights Orlando Rizo (19-12, 11 KOs) of Managua, NIC in a lightweight bout.

 

 

 

 

Hard Hitting Promotions rising prospect Jeremy Cuevas (7-0, 6 KOs) of Philadelphia battles Efrain Cruz (4-4-1, 1 KO) of Vieques, Puerto Rico in a lightweight bout.

 

 

 

 

Undefeated super middleweight Ronald Ellis (14-0-2, 10 KOs) of Lynn, Massachusetts battles Taneal Goyco (9-10-1, 4 KOs) of Philadelphia.

 

 

 

 

Hard Hitting Promotions fighter, Gadwin Rosa (5-0, 4 KOs) of Ocala, FL battles an opponent to be named in a super featherweight bout.

 

 

 

 

Tramaine Williams (14-0, 5 KOs) of New Haven, CT battles Antonio Rodriguez(12-20-1, 5 KOs) of Durango, MX in a featherweight bout.

 

 

 

 

In four-round bouts:

 

 

 

 

Romuel Cruz (1-0, 1 KO) of Philadelphia takes on an opponent to be named in a bantamweight bout.

 

 

 

 

Joey Alday, Jr. (6-0, 6 KOs) of Odessa, TX takes on Mike Crain (1-1) of Smyrna, DE in a junior middleweight bout.

 

 

 

 

VIP Tickets are sold out;  General Seats are sold out

 

 

 

 

There’s only some Ringside and Second-floor standing available.

 

 

 

 

The Fillmore is located at 29 E. Allen Street, Philadelphia, PA. 19123

 

 

 

 

 

For the latest info at @hardhittpromo on  Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter View on Instagram   or

 

 

 

 

Hardhittingpromotions.com
boxing, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONS ANTHONY JOSHUA & JOSEPH PARKER MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES & PHOTOS IN ADVANCE OF SATURDAY’S UNIFICATON SHOWDOWN ON SHOWTIME®

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Joshua & Parker Make First Appearance In Cardiff, Wales, Where Nearly 80,000 Fans Will Witness Heavyweight History At Principality Stadium

 

 

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® | 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT

 

 

Click HERE For Photos; Credit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

 

 

CARDIFF, WALES (March 28, 2018) – Undefeated Heavyweight World Champions Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker made their first appearance in Cardiff on Wednesday, working out before a packed house of enthusiastic fans at St. David’s Hall just three days before their Heavyweight World Championship Unification this Saturday live on SHOWTIME.

 

 

The near-capacity crowd at the National Concert Hall of Wales is a prelude to the record-tying audience expected at Principality Stadiumon Saturday where nearly 80,000 fans will match boxing’s all-time indoor attendance record, initially set in 2017 in Joshua’s title defense against Carlos Takam at the same venue.

 

 

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins live at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT from ringside in Cardiff as IBF and WBA Champion Joshua (20-0, 20 KOs) and WBO Champion Parker (24-0, 18 KOs) meet in just the second unification between undefeated heavyweight champions in history.

 

 

The 6-foot-6 Joshua will make his fifth defense as champion against the 6-foot-4 Parker, who defends his title for the third time.  Joshua owns a 100 percent knockout ratio while Parker has never been knocked down as an amateur or professional.

 

 

Here’s what the fighters had to say on Wednesday:

 

 

ANTHONY JOSHUA:

 

“This is bigger than last time. Boxing is bigger than ever right now. This is the golden era and I’m happy to be a part of it.

 

 

“It’s good news that he wants a war. In boxing, all you need is a good chin and a right hand but I’ve been working on finesse, technique, counter punching. I hope Joseph Parker falls into my booby traps because I’m going to set him up with some power shots as well. Yeah, I’ll be up for a war. I’ll hopefully be up for some blood, sweat, and cheers from my corner.

 

 

“Physically I believe in my ability.  I’m focused and I understand it’s a boxing match and the people are expecting the pinnacle of boxing.  Hopefully they’ll be able to see me through to victory.

 

 

“You need to still keep that challenger’s mind-set. I’m still the challenger in my head, and sometimes I don’t want to be seen with the belts around me too much. Now that I’m the hunted, it’s no time to just put my feet up and relax. I’m out there defending my throne on Saturday night.

 

 

“I can’t worry about it [future bouts]. Saturday night is where it’s at. Saturday night is big enough. Saturday night is massive.”

 

 

JOSEPH PARKER:

 

“Since we’ve been here we’ve been welcomed with open arms. I expect a good crowd, a fair crowd. There are a lot of people supporting Joshua here, but we have a lot of support back home. It’s great to see all my family and friends here, and we’ve got some support here, as well.

 

 

“All Black (New Zealand rugby) style has always done well here in Wales, so I’m looking to keep that record clean.”

 

 

“I think some of the things our team has said has gotten under his skin. I’m not unhappy. He looks a little unhappy and a little tense. I think everyone’s different in how they approach a fight. We’re quite relaxed and calm. I’m excited about this fight, but it’s a controlled excitement.

 

 

“Klitschko’s a great fighter and champion who we respect, but Klitschko is Klitschko. I’m a different story altogether. I’m young and hungry, I’m fit and strong and I got my speed back. I will show that on Saturday.

 

 

“I’ve got the speed, power, skills, technique, all of the above.

 

 

“See you soon, [Anthony Joshua]. Let’s go to war!”

boxing, Fox, Premier Boxing Champions

Trio of Exciting Matches Highlight a Night of Live Action in Primetime on Premier Boxing Champions on FOX & FOX Deportes Saturday, April 28 from Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas

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Rugged Veteran Josesito Lopez Battles Unbeaten 147

Pound Contender Miguel Cruz in Welterweight Showdown

 

 

Former World Champion Anthony Dirrell Takes On El Paso’s Abraham Han in 168-pound Matchup

&

Unbeaten Jorge Lara Squares-Off Against Claudio Marrero

In a Featherweight Clash

 

 

Tickets on Sale Today at 10 a.m. MT!

 

 

EL PASO, TX (March 28, 2018) – Action will be the order of the evening as a trio of hotly-contested showdowns will highlight an exciting night Saturday, April 28 live in primetime on Premier Boxing Champions on FOX and FOX Deportes from the Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas.

 

 

 

Josesito Lopez, known as “The Riverside Rocky”, will battle rising contender Miguel Cruz in a 10-round welterweight showdown. Former super middleweight world champion Anthony Dirrell takes on El Paso’s Abraham Han in a 10-round 168-pound skirmish. The night also features unbeaten Mexican featherweight contenderJorge Lara clashing with Dominican brawler Claudio Marrero in the 10-round opening bout that kicks off coverage at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT.

 

 

 

Tickets for the show, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are on sale today, March 28 at 10 a.m. MT and can be purchased through Ticketmaster.

 

 

 

“This is an all-action show that has all of the elements that boxing fans have come to love,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “Miguel Cruz is a talented rising contender who will be taking a major step up against a hardened veteran in Josesito Lopez. Anthony Dirrell is a former world champion who is anxious to get back into the title picture and El Paso’s own Abraham Han has title aspirations of his own. And Jorge Lara and Claudio Marrero are two of the biggest punchers in the featherweight division. It promises to be a very entertaining show for boxing fans.”

 

 

 

Lopez (35-7, 19 KOs) is a battle-tested veteran who has been in the ring with some of the top boxers in the sport, including Marcos Maidana, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Jessie Vargas. The 33-year-old Lopez of Riverside, California scored one of the biggest wins of his career when he stopped Victor Ortiz by TKO in 2012. He has been on a two-fight win streak since losing to Andre Berto and in his last fight he defeated Saul Corral by a unanimous decision on April 9, 2017 live on FS1.

 

 

 

“Miguel Cruz has not faced a fighter on my level,” said Lopez. “I’m the most experienced fighter that Cruz will have fought. I’m confident in my abilities and the fact that I will come out with a victory. I’m ready to go straight through Miguel Cruz and prove I’m one of the best welterweights in the world.”

 

 

 

Cruz (17-0, 11 KOs) will be taking a major step forward in his career when he takes on Lopez. The 27-year-old Cruz of Lake Mary, Florida was a member of the Puerto Rican national team as an amateur and picked up four victories in 2017. In his last fight he battled adversity by overcoming two cuts to score a unanimous decision over David Grayton on Nov. 21 on FS1 and also defeated then unbeaten Alex Martin twice in 2017 in a pair of exciting contests on FS1.

 

 

 

“I am incredibly excited to have a fight of this magnitude because this is what I’ve always worked for,” said Cruz. “I’m so ready to test my skills against somebody like Josesito Lopez. I belong to a new era in boxing, and I’m going to shine for the world on April 28. This is going to be an amazing fight for the fans and I’m ready for everyone to enjoy my performance.”

 

 

 

Dirrell (31-1-1, 24 KOs), a former super middleweight world champion from Flint, Michigan, is coming off a technical decision victory over Denis Douglin in November on FS1. The 33-year-old Dirrell won the title with a unanimous decision over Sakio Bika in 2015 before dropping a majority decision in 2016 to Badou Jack. Since that loss, Dirrell has won four straight, including a TKO victory over current 168-pound world champion Caleb Truax in 2016.

 

 

 

“Abraham Han is a good fighter coming off of a tough draw with J’Leon Love, and a guy you can’t look past,” said Dirrell. “Caleb Truax proved that by beating James DeGale for the title, so I’m truly focused on this fight right now. He’s a tall, switch-hitter who comes straight forward, but that’s nothing I can’t handle because I’m always ready and in shape to stick to my game plan and execute. I’m always looking for the knockout, and if it comes, then it comes, and I’ll get him out of there.”

 

 

 

Han (26-3-1, 16 KOs) returns to fight in his hometown of El Paso for the ninth time, including a victory he picked up at Don Haskins Center in his fifth pro fight. The 33-year-old is looking to rebound from a technical draw against J’Leon Love last September, in a fight many thought Han was winning before the referee stopped the fight due to a cut caused by an accidental headbutt. He had won three fights in a row heading into that bout against Love.

 

 

 

“Anthony Dirrell probably sees me as someone that he can beat while he waits for a title shot, but I’m looking to mess up his plans,” said Han. “I felt like I won my last fight with J’Leon and would have easily beat him if it wasn’t stopped. This is another great opportunity to fight in my hometown of El Paso. I’ll focus on winning round-by-round and putting on a great show for my fans. I know everyone is going to come out and support me and help carry me to this victory.”

 

 

 

Lara (29-0-1, 21 KOs) has scored two victories, including a knockout against former champion Fernando Montiel, since he had a technical draw against Jesus Rojas in 2015. He knocked down Montiel four times on the way to the first round stoppage in their April 2016 showdown on FOX. The 27-year-old southpaw from Guadalajara, Mexico has shown heavy hands for a featherweight and is coming off a TKO victory over Mario Briones in his last fight on May 20 on FS1.

 

 

 

“I have been training with former champion Alejandro Gonzalez, and four weeks out from the fight, I am already in excellent condition and in tremendous fighting shape,” said Lara. “I know that this is a very important fight, and that Marrero is a very tough opponent, but I am going to be the winner because I am determined to continue on my road toward winning a world title. After that, we’ll see which champion will be ready to give me the opportunity.”

 

 

 

Marrero (22-2, 16 KOs) was riding an eight-fight win streak before losing by knockout to Jesus Rojas in his last fight. Inside of that eight-fight win streak the 29-year-old Dominican southpaw scored a sensational knockout victory over Carlos Zambrano to earn an interim featherweight title on FS1. The only other blemish on Marrero’s record was a unanimous decision loss to former world champion Jesus Cuellar in 2013.

 

 

 

“I’m excited to be fighting on April 28 on this great show in El Paso,” said Marrero. “I’m fighting an undefeated tough Mexican fighter, but this is the type of fight I wanted to put myself back into title contention. I’m really excited to get in there. Come fight night, you will see ‘The Matrix’ in full effect. Don’t miss it because it’s going to be a great fight.”

 

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Fans can live stream the fights on FOX Sports GO, available in English or Spanish through the FOX or FOX Deportes feeds. The fights are available on desktop at FOXSportsGO.com and through the app store, or connected devices including Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV, Xbox One and Roku. In addition, all programs are also available on FOX Sports on SiriusXM channel 83 on satellite radios and on the SiriusXM app.

 

 

 

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com,www.tgbpromotions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage andwww.foxdeportes.com. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @TGBPromotions, @FOXTV, @FOXDeportes and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions  and www.facebook.com/foxdeportes. Highlights available at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions. PBC on FOX & FOX Deportes is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.