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ShoBox: The New Generation To celebrate 2017 Hall of Fame Weekend with a Special Tripleheader this Friday, June 9 live on SHOWTIME® (10:30 p.m. ET/PT) from Turning Stone Resort Casino
Photo courtesy: Maravillabox Promotions
VERONA, N.Y. (June 7, 2017) – Former unified world champion and current boxing promoter and mentor Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez, along with his protégé Jon “JonFer” Fernandez, an undefeated prospect at 130 pounds, discuss future plans ahead of Fernandez’s second appearance on ShoBox: The New Generation this Friday, June 9, live on SHOWTIME (10:30 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on West Coast) from Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.
Martinez, known for his extensive career and impact inside the ring and now at the helm of Maravillabox Promotions, has worked with Fernandez since his pro debut at only 19 years old. Fernandez (12-0, 10 KOs), who is co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and MaravillaBox Promotions, has remained undefeated and undeterred, climbing up the prospect ranks with five fights in 2015, another five in 2016 and now getting ready for his third fight this year.
In addition to June 9’s ShoBox being Fernandez’s third fight this year, it will also be his third time fighting on American soil as he opens the SHOWTIME telecast facing tough opposition in Juan Reyes (14-3-3, 2 KOs) for what could be an important fight in his development as he tries to turn from prospect to contender.
The card, which takes place during the 2017 Hall of Fame Weekend where longtime ShoBox analysts Barry Tompkins and Steve Farhood will be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, features undefeated super lightweights Regis “Rougarou” Prograis (19-0, 16 KOs) and Joel Diaz Jr. (23-0, 19 KOs) in the 10-round main event. The co-feature will pit Steve Rolls (15-0, 9 KOs) against Demond Nicholson (17-1-1, 16 KOs) in an eight-round super middleweight bout.
Tickets for the event, co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment (DBE) and AASHA Record Breakers, are priced at $65 for ringside, $50, $40 and $30 (may be subject to additional fees) and are available at the Turning Stone Box Office, by calling 877-833-SHOW, or online at Ticketmaster.com. Doors will open at 7:00 p.m., with the first bout scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
This week Martinez and his protégé, “JonFer,” spoke to SHOWTIME Sports about what the future might hold for the 130-pound prospect.
SERGIO “MARAVILLA” MARTINEZ:
How would you describe Jon Fernandez’s style?
“I believe that JonFer is a very well-rounded, complete fighter. He can take advantage of his great wingspan and reach but has no problem fighting in close distance. Furthermore, he’s hitting really hard. I believe we’ll see him fighting with big names in the division soon.
“JonFer has a classic boxing style—a classic, orthodox style. He’s effective when he’s attacking as well as defending. He poses a vision and a combat insight that is truly amazing. Not only does he have speed and precision, but he also has potential in his fists. But, the best characteristic that JonFer possesses is his great professionalism in the sport and in his personal life.”
What would you say is different in Jon compared to other boxers in the division?
“His head, he is very mature for his age. In that sense, he reminds me of myself. He is very serious when he’s working and always looking to improve.
“He has a stupendous perception of the errors his rivals make. He knows how to read the battle and knows when and how to define a fight. I believe that the more fights and time go by, JonFer will establish himself at the top level alongside the top boxers in the world.”
As Jon develops, what plans do you have for him?
“To continue with the hard work like we have to this date. I respect every step in his career. I’d like for JonFer to continue training and preparing himself for what can be a bright and stupendous future.”
Who do you want him to fight – Jesus Cuellar, Orlando Salido, Gervonta Davis, Jose Pedraza, Carl Frampton?
“All of the names mentioned are already great champions. They are all owed their due respect and it would be an honor, not only for Jonfer but for Maravilabox to have the possibility of making fight with any of them.
“Jose Pedraza would be a great test. We’d really like to make that fight happen. JonFer has sparred with Frampton before his rematch with Santa Cruz and we know he was up to the challenge. And of course, we would love to go for the world title against Gervonta Davis and think it would be a great fight. A clash of styles.”
What belts do you want him to go for first?
“First, we’d like him to set a good base. The best for us is to continue building his career step by step and for him to continue learning and adapting himself bit by bit to the top level. As we continue making fights happen, there will be more opportunities for international and world titles. The goal is to get JonFer to become a WBC champion, the most important entity.
“We would be really excited to be able to win the European championship, but we’re ready to fight anyone. All of the belts are important and provide experience.”
What would you see as the ideal next step for JonFer in the next few years?
“Ideally we want to keep him at a weight in which he feels the most comfortable. As fights and time go by, if he needs to go up in weight, he’d do so without a problem. It’s possible for him to end up fighting in superior divisions, but for now we are focused on 130 and I think he can still battle at this weight for several years.”
Can you name who you think are the top five active boxers today?
“I really like Errol Spence Jr., he has a great style that I feel is like mine was. Canelo [Alvarez] and [Gennady] Golovkin are two of my favorites as well, they’ll put on a great fight. Andre Ward, Jorge Linares… There is a lot of talent in the sport at the moment.
What memories of Steve Farhood and Barry Tompkins stand out to you?
“Yes, of course, I have some great moments of my years in the United States and I remember Steve always in front of the SHOWTIME cameras. He is a great professional.
“He is one of the highest-regarded boxing writers in the world. He is a man with a young mentality who knows how to appreciate good boxing.
“Barry Tompkins is a prestigious commentator and what I remember the most about him is seeing him commentate on fights in the era of Tyson and J.C. Chavez. To be a commentator of that stature then, he had to be an excellent professional.”
What would you say is the best (and worst) part about being a promoter?
“To be a promoter is thrilling. I believe that taking the career of the boxers in your hands must be treated like it’s your own life. It’s a true adventure. I can’t find a negative thing to say about being a promoter.”
Do you miss being a boxer?
“To this day I can say that I do not have any desire to return to the ring. My last fights were torturous and I still have problems with my knee to the date as I try to go about my daily life. I continue to train an hour each day and continue to love boxing, but now I prefer watching the youngsters like Jon and help them with my experience.”
JON “JONFER” FERNANDEZ:
Can you tell us what it is like for you to work with someone like Sergio Martinez?
“It’s great, Sergio is always very attentive and a mirror to watch yourself in. Like an athlete, he was one of the greats, but as a person he is even better. Maravillabox Promotions is composed of thorough professionals and the way they treat me is excellent.”
How is your training going? Is your camp any different for this fight?
“I haven’t had too much time since my last fight, just about five weeks. It has been tough, but we were coming off of a much more difficult preparation in fighting for Spain’s world title. I think this will make for a great fight and the fans will have a lot of fun.”
What are your plans for the future? In your career, life, boxing, in the next five years…
“I just got married in April and it was a great experience, the happiest day of my life. I would love to have kids soon. As far as boxing goes, of course I’d like to be a world champion. But first I’d like to go for the European title. I’d like to fight against the best prospects in the division and continuing to make great fights. I will be a world champion one day, I know I can get there.”
Who would you say is your all-time favorite boxer?
“I can’t just say one, I have several. Sergio Martinez, obviously. I also really like Terrance Crawford and Juan Manuel Marquez. Out of the boxing legends, I’ll stick to Alexis Arguello.”
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Tompkins will call the ShoBox action from ringside with Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer is Hall with Rich Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.
For more information visit www.sho.com/sports follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, #ShoBox, @loudibella and @DiBellaEnt or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports, and www.facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment.
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Click HERE to Watch the Full First Fight Via the PBC on YouTube
Plus! Showdown Between Once-Beaten Welterweights
Jamal James & Sammy Figueroa Featured in Televised Action
Tickets on Sale Now!
BETHLEHEM, PA. (June 7, 2017) – Unbeaten Miguel Cruz (15-0, 11 KOs) and once-beaten Alex Martin (13-1, 5 KOs) will meet in a 10-round welterweight rematch of their January clash on Tuesday, June 27 in the main event of Premier Boxing Champions TOE-TO-TOE TUESDAYS on FS1 and BOXEO DE CAMPEONES on FOX Deportes from Sands Bethlehem Events Center in Bethlehem, Pa.
Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and will feature a pair of once-beaten welterweights battling it out as Jamal James (20-1, 9 KOs) meets Samuel Figueroa (11-1, 4 KOs) in a 10-round matchup.
Cruz and Martin first clashed on a PBC card this January, with both men looking to bolster their perfect records at the time. It was a matchup featuring two distinct styles as the lankier orthodox Cruz favored using power punches throughout the fight while the southpaw Martin tried to box and ride his speed and jab to victory. The young welterweights delivered consistent exciting exchanges before the decision went to the judges, who delivered a split decision with one judging scoring the fight for Martin and two favoring the work of Cruz.
“I won the first fight between us and I’m here to prove that,” said Cruz. “I will be victorious again and this time everyone will be able to do it. I’m going to get the win in even more convincing fashion. I’m looking forward to this fight and I’m not planning on letting it go the distance.”
“This fight will not go the distance,” said Martin. “It will end early. He is not as good as his record says. Everyone who has seen the first fight knows it was a bad decision. I think even he knows he lost. I will make a more emphatic statement this fight. I will do in this fight what I should have done last night.”
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions, are priced at $50, $75 and $100, not including applicable service charges and taxes and are on sale now. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com. To charge by phone call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.
Born in Aguada, Puerto Rico and now residing in Lake Mary, Florida, the 26-year-old Cruz was a member of the Puerto Rico National Team as an amateur. He turned pro in 2012 and picked up five victories in 2015 as he ended fights with Virgil Green, Daniel Rodriguez, Eli Addison, Juan Rodriguez, Travis Hartman and Anthony Abbruzzese inside the distance. Cruz also earned a decision victory over previously unbeaten Samuel Figueroa in their May 2016 showdown before his triumph over Martin in January.
A highly-regarded amateur fighter out of Chicago, Martin was a 2012 Olympic alternate in addition to earning multiple National Golden Gloves titles and boasting a 340-10 record. The 27-year-old turned pro in April 2013 and stopped his first five opponents inside of the distance. Martin picked up two victories in 2016 beating experienced opponents Juan Carlos Abreu and Rosemberg Gomez before facing Cruz to start 2017.
A tall welterweight at 6’2″, James looks to bounce back after a decision loss to Yordenis Ugas last August in which the 28-year-old accepted the fight on less than a week’s notice. Fighting out of Minneapolis, Minnesota, James was unbeaten in his first 20 fights as a pro including impressive victories over Javier Molina and Wale Omotoso to begin his 2016 campaign.
Representing Anasco, Puerto Rico, Figueroa defeated previously once-beaten Ismat Eynullayev in March to get back in the win column after losing a narrow split-decision to the unbeaten Cruz last May. The 26-year-old won his first 10 professional fights including decisions over previously unbeaten fighters Javontae Starks and Fernando Paliza in 2015.
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Fans can live stream the fights on FOX Sports GO, available in English or Spanish through the FS1 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
Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @FS1, @FOXDeportes and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/
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Plus! Junior Welterweight Prospect Dennis Galarza Takes On Mexico’s Omar Tienda While Unbeaten Featherweight Prospects Xavier Martinez & Prince Smalls Clash in Televised Undercard Attractions
Tickets on Sale Now!
LAS VEGAS (June 7, 2017) – Unbeaten rising prospect Eddie Ramirez (16-0, 11 KOs) enters the ring to battle Ecuador’s Erick Bone (16-4, 8 KOs) in a 10-round junior welterweight showdown that headlines Premier Boxing Champions TOE-TO-TOE TUESDAYS on FS1 and BOXEO DE CAMPEONES on FOX Deportes on June 20 from Sam’s Town Live in Las Vegas.
Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features a 10-round matchup between junior welterweight prospect Dennis Galarza (15-2, 9 KOs) and Mexico’s Omar Tienda(18-4, 11 KOs) plus an eight-round battle between unbeaten featherweight prospects Xavier Martinez (7-0, 4 KOs) and Prince Smalls (11-0-1, 4 KOs).
“My opponent has been in the ring with top guys like Shawn Porter and Chris Algieri, who are world champions, and despite losing in those matchups he gained experience fighting with top caliber opponents but I am ready,” said Ramirez. “I am explosive and entertaining so I know this will be a great fight and my only job is to get him out of the ring as fast as possible.”
“I’m super thankful for this opportunity, I’ve been in the ring with some really great guys so coming into this fight I have a leg up,” said Bone. “My opponent is the underdog and I don’t think he’s been in the ring with a fighter like me. I’m just ready to get in there and show my skills.”
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions, are priced at $15, $30, $45 and are on sale now. Tickets are available online at www.samstownlv.com/entertain.
“Fans can expect another great night of boxing as we continue to put together exciting matchups with hungry fighters who are fighting to solidify their positions and reputations in the sport,” said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions.
A Chicago Golden Gloves champion, Ramirez knocked out seven of his first nine professional opponents and picked up five victories in 2015 including a decision over former world champion Cristobal Cruz. The 24-year-old has picked up impressive victories in his last two outings, first knocking out previously unbeaten Kevin Watts last September and then battling previously unbeaten Ryan Karl in February where he stopped Karl after nine rounds of action.
Representing Manabi, Ecuador but fighting out of Brooklyn, Bone has fought professionally since 2011 and won 16 of his first 17 pro fights including 10-round decisions over Mahonry Montes and Aaron Dominguez. The 28-year-old has had strong experience in the ring as he’s taken on former world champions Shawn Porter, Chris Algieri and Miguel Vazquez.
The 24-year-old Galarza stands tall at 5’10” and enters this bout having won his last two matches against Jonathan Perez and Edgardo Rivera. Born in Brooklyn but training in Orlando alongside top 154-pound contender Erickson Lubin, Galarza has won 10 of his last 11 fights including five straight wins in 2015.
Tienda fights out of Nuevo Leon, Mexico and will be making his fourth start in the U.S. when he enters the ring on June 20 in Las Vegas. The 29-year-old won three out of four bouts last year including a 10-round decision for a regional belt over David Rangel in June. Tienda won 14 of his first 15 pro fights after turning pro in 2012.
Fighting out of Sacramento, California, Martinez turned pro in 2015 with a decision victory and has been unbeaten while splitting his time fighting in Mexico and the U.S. The 19-year-old won three times last year, including a knockout victory over Gabriel Gutierrez and a decision win over Wilfredo Garriga at Sam’s Town in Las Vegas.
A pro since 2013, Smalls has been unbeaten since fighting to a draw in his first pro appearance. Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, Smalls fights out of San Diego and will be entering the ring in Las Vegas for the first time as a pro. He makes his 2017 debut on June 20after scoring two knockout victories in 2016.
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You can catch Premier Boxing Champions on FS1 and FOX Deportes action this Sunday, June 11 as former world champion Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios returns to the ring to take on Mexico’s Aaron Herrera in the main event live from the Pioneer Event Center in Lancaster, California with televised coverage beginning at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT.
Fans can live stream the fights on FOX Sports GO, available in English or Spanish through the FS1 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.
Mayweather Promotions and The Floyd Mayweather Jr. Foundation will be collecting school supplies for their 5th Annual Back-2-School Supply Giveaway in conjunction with the upcoming boxing event. The giveaway will take place on August 5th at West Flamingo Park in Las Vegas, NV. Tickets to the fight will be offered in exchange for school supplies.
Must be a minimum of 3 items (for GA tickets & 5 for floor seating) which include: paper, pencils, markers, pencil boxes, construction paper, math flash cards, composition notebooks, colored pencils, protractor, spiral notebooks, scientific/graphing calculator, highlighters, dictionary/thesaurus, graph paper, index cards, and flash drive.
LIMIT: 1 ticket/per person*
For more information: visit www.
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LOS ANGELES — Brendan Schaub, a former professional MMA fighter and football player, host of the popular MMA podcast “Big Brown Breakdown” and co-host of the hit podcast “Fighter and the Kid”, will serve as co-host for Spike TV’s LIVE pre-show leading into Bellator’s epic event, Bellator NYC: Sonnen vs. Silva, from New York’s legendary Madison Square Garden.
Schaub will join Bellator host, Jenn Brown, in the broadcast booth and will offer insight and analysis for all the fights on Spike’s stacked Bellator 180: Davis vs. Bader card leading into the biggest event in the promotion’s history, Bellator NYC: Sonnen vs. Silva. Additionally, Schaub will be featured in original Bellator digital content in advance of the event.
Headlined by the long-awaited fight between two of the biggest names in mixed martial arts history, Chael Sonnen (29-15-1) and Wanderlei Silva (35-12-1, 1 NC), Bellator NYC: Sonnen vs. Silva airs live on pay-per-view beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Prior to the pay-per-view event, SPIKE will air Bellator 180: Davis vs. Bader LIVE and FREE on both coasts, beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. Additionally, Bellator 180 prelims will air exclusively on Bellator.com and the Bellator Mobile App at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT.
Emanating from Madison Square in New York City, the mecca of combat sports, this blockbuster event includes a heavyweight bout between MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko (36-4, 1 NC) and hard-hitting Matt Mitrione (11-5), along with two championship bouts, including Douglas Lima (28-6) defending his 170-pound strap against Lorenz Larkin (18-5, 1 NC) and current lightweight champion Michael Chandler (16-3) putting his world title on the line against the undefeated Brent Primus (7-0).
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