Category Archives: boxing

boxing, Fox, Premier Boxing Champions

Robert Guerrero Training Camp Quotes & Photos

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Former World Champion Meets Unbeaten Omar Figueroa in Main Event of Premier Boxing Champions on FOX & FOX Deportes Saturday, July 15 from NYCB LIVE’s Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Long Island
 
Click HERE for Photos from Andy Samuelson/Premier Boxing Champions
 
GILROY, CA. (July 5, 2017) – Former world champion Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero is hard at work preparing for his main event showdown with unbeaten Omar Figueroa that headlines Premier Boxing Champions on FOX and FOX Deportes Saturday, July 15 in the first boxing event at the newly renovated NYCB LIVE, home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
Televised coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and features a matchup of unbeaten light heavyweights Marcus Browne and Seanie Monaghan plus an all-Polish heavyweight showdown between Artur Szpilka and Adam Kownacki.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, start at $50 (not including applicable fees) and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visitingwww.ticketmaster.com, www.nycblive.com, or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the Ticketmaster Box Office at NYCB LIVE. Group discounts are available by calling 516-231-4848.
See below for what Guerrero had to say about training camp, his July 15 showdown and more:
On his recent training camp:
“I feel great going into this fight. Me and my dad have been working really hard on all aspects of my game. I hired a new CrossFit coach, Greg Amundson, and he’s gotten me in great shape. Everyone will see an improvement in my all-around game. With my back against the wall going into this fight, I did everything possible in camp to be ready for Figueroa.”
On facing another undefeated fighter in Omar Figueroa:
“I’m always looking to battle the best possible fighters out there and Omar Figueroa is no different. He’s undefeated and looking to take his career to the next level but I have other plans. Figueroa has a come forward style that I’ll be prepared for. Stylistically, we both like to go for it so fans should expect to see a lot of hard shots being thrown in this fight. It’s going to be a war.”
On fighting in front of a national TV audience on FOX & FOX Deportes:
“Fighting on FOX and FOX Deportes again is going to be incredible and I can’t wait to let my hands go and give the fans the entertainment they deserve. This fight is going to be one those fights where everyone will be on the edge of their seat. The fans deserve to see non-stop action from the opening bell, and this is going to be that type of battle. Everyone tuning in will witness a great action-packed fight.”
On traveling to New York to fight in front of the east coast fans:
“This will be my second time fighting on the east coast. The fans out there love boxing so I’m expecting a rowdy crowd. I love that we are fighting on neutral territory.  I just want to put on a great show and come out victorious with my hands raised.”
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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, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @FS1, @FOXDeportes @LouDiBella, @NYCBLive and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsportsand www.facebook.com/foxdeportes. www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment,www.Facebook.com/NYCBLive. PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.BROOKLYN BOXING on Long Island is an extension of BSE’s BROOKLYN BOXING™ brand. For more information, visit brooklynboxingshop.com.
amateur boxing, boxing

Demler Zamora of Las Vegas’ P4P Boxing Program Brings Home Gold

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Demler Zamora II poses with his gold medal and championship belt (Photo Credit – Team P4P)
LAS VEGAS, NV (July 5, 2017) – After traveling overseas for the “Monkstown Dublin Box Cup 2017”, an international amateur boxing tournament in Ireland, Demler Zamora III of the Pound-4-Pound Boxing program in Las Vegas, brought home a gold medal.  In addition, Zamora was voted most outstanding boxer of the tournament, which hosted over 1,000 fighters from around the world.
“Demler Zamora III is a special talent and one of the best boxers in our program,” said Pound-4-Pound owner Richard Barrientes. “His father Demler II, who is his head coach, puts in a lot of work to make his son the fighter he is.  He’s an amazing coach and he’s a big reason for the success of our program with is knowledge of the sport, in addition to his strength and conditioning workouts.  For Demler to bring back a gold medal and the most outstanding boxer of the tournament, says a lot about the kid, his father, and our program.  Our kids strive to be the best and their hard work shows when they come out victorious in these tournaments.  I couldn’t be happier for the Zamora’s.  They are a very hard-working family.”
boxing

“The Bosnian Prince” Armin Mrkanovic gets robbed in West Virginia

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Queens, NY (July 5, 2017) – On June 24th, cruiserweight Armin Mrkanovic went into his UBF All-Americas title bout with Josh Himes, thinking that even though he was fighting in his opponent’s home territory of Moundsville, West Virginia, that he would receive a fair shake.

That was not the case as most ringside observers believed that Mrkanovic should have come out with the verdict, but instead it was Himes who came out with the unanimous decision by scores of 77-75, 79-73 and an inexplicable 80-72 tally.
“Before the fight, I knew I could and would beat him easily.  Before the fight, i was told that my wife got stuck on the road on her drive to West Virginia, and I can admit that I lost the first two rounds,” said Mrkanovic.  “I then clearly won five of the next rounds, so for those two judges to give zero and one round shows that something was not right with the fight.”
Mrkanovic claims that even Himes’ team agreed that wrong man had his hand raised.
“After the fight was over, his trainer apologized to me, and admitted the fight was at worst a draw, but said that I should have won the fight.  The two other cornermen echoed the same sentiments.”
Mrkanovic wanted to view the fight for himself, but has received pushback from the local promotion.
“I asked for a copy of the fight, and the promoter has refused to show me.  He did not want to share for fear that I would be able to look at what happened.  It would have done two things, I would have even a more clear argument plus if there is a rematch, I could further expose Himes’ flaws and be even better the next time around.  It is funny, I was told that there a handful of people filming it to Facebook Live, but mysteriously those videos are gone.  The President of the UBF requested the video, and he can’t even view it.The local paper only mentioned the result of the fight, but made other fight’s more prominent in their story. I was lucky that I was able to download one of those copies to my phone.  I am able to view it, but because the original copy is erased, it is not shareable.”
“My team is working on out options on what we can do about this miscarriage of justice.”
boxing

FACE OFF SAMUEL VARGAS vs. ALI FUNEKA NABA Welterweight Championship

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Samuel Vargas vs. Ali Funeka
Headlines “Face Off” in NABA title fight
Aug. 19 in Brampton, Canada

TORONTO, Ontario, Canada (July 5, 2017) – North American Boxing Association welterweight champion Samuel Vargas has been on boxing’s biggest stage and he’s determined to prove that he still belongs there.
The 28-year-old Vargas (27-3-1, 14 KOs) steps up in one of the most significant fights of his career, August 19, as he defends his NABA title against three-time world title challenger Ali “Rush Hour” Funeka (39-6-3, 31 KOs) in the main event of Lee Baxter Promotions’ (LBP) second event at the Brampton Powerade Centre, “Face Off”, in Brampton, Ontario, Canada.
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Vargas-Funeka is inarguable one of the highest-level bouts to be staged in Toronto in several years.
“Sam is still at a stage in his career where he’s improving and to challenge a guy who’s been a world title contender for the better part of a decade shows that he’s still hungry and still wants to test himself,” promoter Lee Baxter said.
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The tough-as-nails Vargas, who fights out of Toronto, is riding the momentum of a dominant win by 10-round unanimous decision over Armando Robles (31-5-2, 18 KOs), at LBP’s first Powerade Centre event this past March, as well as a homecoming victory for Colombia-native’s fifth-round knockout this past May over former world title challenger Marco Antonio Avendano (30-10-1, 22 KOs).
An impressive victory over his battled-tested South African opponent will certainly re-position Vargas in the world boxing scene, where he was a little more than year ago, when he fought two of the premier welterweights in the world, former WBA Super World Super Lightweight titlist Danny Garcia (32-0, 19 KOs), and current International Boxing Federation (IBF) World Champion Errol Spence Jr. (15-0, 12 KOs), in losing yet invaluable fight experiences for Vargas against world-class opponents.
“We always have our eye on big fights for Sam. A win over Funeka would really resonate in the boxing world,” Baxter added.
Funeka has some unfinished business in the “Great White North” having lost in 2009 in one of the most controversial decisions in recent memory to Joan Guzman (29-0) in Quebec City. Although many viewers had Vargas defeating Guzman, including HBO’s unofficial scorer Harold Lederman, who scored the bout 117-111 for Funeka and called for an investigation into the judging that soon followed, resulted in a questionable 12-round majority draw for the vacant IBF World Lightweight Championship.
“Canadian fans have always had a soft spot for Funeka,” Baxter noted. “The crowd at the Pepsi Coliseum was on his side and they fell in love with him that night. He deserves this fight as much as Sam does.”
Nonetheless, Funeka has remained a fighting contender ever since, going on the road and battling some of the sport’s top stars. Last year, he upset previously undefeated Russian prospect Viskhan “Little Tyson” Murzabekov (12-0) by 12-round decision in his opponent’s homeland. More recently, the dangerous South African veteran fought a bloody battle with Jeff Horn (15-0-1), who last Saturday upset future Hall-of-Famer Manny Pacquiao to become the new World Boxing Organization (WBO) 147-pound division world champion. Funeka even dropped the tough Australian before being stopped in the sixth round of their fight last December in New Zealand.
Funeka represents a measuring stick for Vargas to gauge comparisons of him against some of the top welterweights in the world.
Will Vargas have an easier time with Funeka than Horn? The answer will be known Aug. 19.
Tickets, starting at $40.00, are on sale and available to purchase through Ticketmaster at this link.
INFORMATION:
Twitter & Instagram: @LeeBaxterMgt

Facebook: /LeeBaxterTattoo
boxing

Taras Shelestyuk & Ruben Villa Successfully Defend Unbeaten Records on Saturday Night

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  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PHILADELPHIA, Penn. /ORANGE, Calif. (July 3, 2017) – In the “Locked n’ Loaded” main event, welterweight Taras “Real Deal” Shelestyuk (16-0, 10 KOs) made quick work of Jesus Alvarez Rodriguez (15-3, 11 KOs) by knocking him out in the third round Saturday night from Omega Products International in Sacramento, Calif. 

Shelestyuk, who is ranked No. 5 by the WBO, predicted a knockout win in his prefight interview with the Olympic bronze medalist (London 2012) saying he planned to be aggressive from the start.

“I didn’t want this fight going the distance,” said Shelestyuk, who attributes the aggressiveness to new trainer Joel Diaz. “Joel and I worked on increasing our punch output and it showed in this fight.”

Shelestyuk, who is from the Ukraine but now makes his home in Los Angeles, rocked Rodriguez in the first round. He connected on a two-punch combination that sent the Mexican to the canvas. In the third round, Shelestyuk struck early and often, earning the knockout win at the 2:05 mark.

Top featherweight prospect Ruben Villa (7-0, 4 KOs) of Salinas, Calif. delivered a beating to overmatched veteran Jonathan Alcantara (7-16-2, 1 KO) of El Salvador. Villa, who swept all three scorecards (40-36), looked equally comfortable fighting on the outside or in the pocket.

“I think this fight showed how versatile I am,” Villa said. “I boxed him well and mixed it up inside without taking any hits. It was a solid performance.”

Villa, indeed, looked the part of an elite prospect. He was aggressive the entire fight, yet was extremely disciplined on the defensive end.

“There’s no doubt I frustrated him,” Villa continued. “I could tell he was having a hard time. I never let him relax.”

Shelestyuk and Villa are co-promoted by Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing.
For more information, please visit Banner-Promotions.com. 
For regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please check Banner Promotions Facebook Page , and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @BannerBoxing.
Photo by Carlos Baeza / Thompson Boxing
boxing, mixed martial arts, MMA, Rich Bergeron, Tom Padgett, Tony Penecale

FNU Combat Sports Show: UFC and Bellator Recaps, PFL Preview, Boxing Schedule

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Tom, Tony and Rich recap last week’s major events, including the controversial UFC Fight Night 112 finish and the near double KO at Bellator 180 from Madison Square Garden. We also discuss Conor McGregor calling out Khabib Nurmagomedov for his next opponent in the UFC Octagon. We of course also break down Manny Pacquiao vs. Jeff Horn.

 

 

boxing

Chris Eubank Jr. vs. “King” Arthur Abraham IBO Super Middleweight World Championship To air July 15 live on PPV in United States

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TENAFLY, N.J.(June 29, 2017) – One of boxing’s most polarizing and exciting young fighters faces a dangerous three-time, two-division world champion, as Chris Eubank Jr. defends his International Boxing Organization (IBO) Super Middleweight Championship against “King” Arthur Abraham on Saturday, July 15, available to watch on Pay Per View in the United States, starting at 2:30 pm ET / 11:30 am PT, live from SES Arena, Wembley in London, England.
“Eubank Jr. vs. Abraham”, promoted by Poxon Sports in association with Team Sauerland, is presented in the United States by Integrated Sports Media and Protocol Sports Marketing, Ltd.
Integrated Sports Media will distribute “Eubank Jr. vs. Abraham” live in the United States on cable and satellite PPV via iN Demand, Vubiquity, and DISH for a suggested retail price of only $24.95. In Canada, the event will be available on television to fight fans that subscribe to premium pay television network Super Channel.
Outside of North America, “Eubank Jr. vs. Abraham” is being distributed to broadcasters worldwide by leading boxing television rights distribution firm, Protocol Sports Marketing Ltd.
Only 27 years old, the British-born Eubank Jr. (24-1, 19 KOs) enters the contest with less experience than Abraham but with power, a mean streak, and meaningful boxing pedigree. Eubank Jr. has won 16 of his last 17 fights by stoppage.
His father, Chris Eubank Sr. (45-5-2, 23 KOs), is a former World Boxing Organization (WBO) super middleweight and middleweight world champion. Eubank Sr. co-trains and manages his son, in addition to being an idiosyncratic presence in and around his son’s fights, and the British fight scene.
A former Interim World Boxing Association (WBA) Middleweight World Champion, Eubank Jr. captured the IBO title this past February, stopping Renold Quinlan (11-1, 7 KOs) in the 10thround. His July 15th fight versus Abraham will mark the confident young champion’s first IBO title defense.
“Abraham is a strong, come forward fighter,” Eubank Jr. said, “but he’s one-dimensional. He’s very good in that one dimension, but a one-dimensional fighter cannot beat me. I see a lot of holes in his game and I’m going to exploit those holes ruthlessly.”
The IBO No. 1 rated Abraham (46-5, 30 KOs) fights out of Berlin, Germany. “King” Arthur is a two-time WBO super middleweight world champion, as well as a former International Boxing Federation (IBF) middleweight world champion. The powerful Armenian has a sensational 18-4 (9 KOs) record in world championships, 7-4 (4 KOs) against former or current world champions. Noted victims during his 17-year professional career reads like a Who’s Who of Boxing in the 160- and 168-pound divisions, including world champions Raul Marquez, Hector Javier Velazco, Jermain Taylor, Robert Stieglitz thrice, and Giovanni De Carolis. Abraham has also defeated world-class opponents such as Martin Murray, Paul Smith twice, Lajuan Simon, Edison Miranda twice, Khoren Gevor, Sebastian Demers, Kofi Jantuah, Kingsley Ikeke, Robin Krasniqi and Howard Eastman.
Four of Abraham’s five career losses have been to world champions Carl Froch, Andre Ward, Stieglitz and Gilberto Ramirez. Stieglitz is the only opponent to stop Abraham, who has won 10 of his last 11 fights, the most recent a 12-round unanimous decision win over Krasniqi (46-4, 17 KOs) this past April in Germany.
“I will make sure that I’m in top shape and ready to secure a great victory,” Abraham remarked. “I know Chris Eubank, Jr. is a good fighter, like his dad. I’m expecting a tough fight, but I am confident I will beat him.”
Also airing live is the 12-round International Boxing Federation (IBF) Featherweight World Championship match as popular Welshman “Lightning” Lee Selby (24-1, 9 KOs) makes his third defense of the title he captured May 30, 2015, when he won an eighth-round technical decision over previously unbeaten Evgeny Gradovich (19-0-1, 9 KOs).
Selby will be challenged by former WBA Featherweight World Champion Jonathan Victor “Yoni” Barros (41-4-1, 22 KOs), of Argentina, who is the IBF No. 1 contender.
Additional PPV fights will soon be announced.
 
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @IntegratedPPV, @SuperChannel
boxing, Ringstar Sports

Ringstar Sports Rising Stars Return to Action Sunday, July 30 as 2016 Lithuanian Olympian Eimantas Stanionis Battles Eridanni Leon & Unbeaten Prospect Money Powell IV Takes on Carlos Lozano from Rabobank Theater in Bakersfield, California

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Plus! The Pro Debut of Jose Balderas & Nigerian Amateur Standouts Efe Ajagba & Wesley Apochi in Undercard Attractions
 
Tickets on Sale Tomorrow!
 
BAKERSFIELD, CALIF. (June 29, 2017) – An exciting afternoon of undercard action onSunday, July 30 will be highlighted by a pair of Ringstar Sports rising prospects as 2016 Lithuanian Olympian Eimantas Stanionis (1-0, 1 KO) meets Eridanni Leon (5-2, 1 KO) in a six-round welterweight clash while unbeaten Money Powell IV (2-0, 2 KOs) battles Carlo Lozano (7-6, 4 KOs) in four-rounds of welterweight action from Rabobank Theater in Bakersfield, California.
The July 30 event is headlined by the return of former world champion Victor Ortiz battling Mexico’s Saul Corral in welterweight action. PBC on FS1 and FOX Deportes coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT and will feature super welterweight contender Justin DeLoach taking on former title challenger Fernando Guerrero plus 2016 U.S. Olympian Karlos Balderas in his second pro fight.
Additional undercard action will feature a trio of young fighters making their pro debuts. Jose Balderas, brother of U.S. Olympian Karlos, will make his pro debut in a four-round bantamweight bout, 2016 Nigerian Olympian Efe Ajagba will compete in six rounds of heavyweight action against Tyrell Herndon (6-1, 2 KOs) and Wesley Apochi will step into the ring in a six-round cruiserweight attraction.
“Sunday, July 30 will be a great opportunity for fans in Southern California to get a glimpse of the future of the sport,” said Richard Schaefer, CEO and Chairman of Ringstar Sports. “In addition to Karlos Balderas competing on the FS1 and FOX Deportes portion of the card, fans will get another look at the power of Eimantas Stanionis and the skills of Money Powell IV on their way to future stardom. Fans are going to want to show up early and catch all of the fights on July 30.”
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Ringstar Sports, are priced at $80, $45 and $30 and are on sale Friday, June 30 for purchase online at AXS.com.
An accomplished amateur representing Kaunas, Lithuania, Stanionis is looking to become the next Eastern European fighter to make a splash in the U.S. The 22-year-old had a 141-19 record as an amateur and earned four senior national championships before winning gold at the European Olympic Qualifier to earn his trip to the 2016 Games. A gold medalist at welterweight at the 2015 European Amateur Boxing Championships, Stanionis was impressive in his pro debut, scoring a first round TKO of Rasheed Lawal in April.
Born in Germany, where his former boxer father was stationed in the military, Powell IVdedicated himself to boxing for good when his family moved back to the U.S. in 2011. The 19-year-old has quickly made a name for himself since then, winning the 2016 Youth Welterweight National Championship to earn the top ranking in the 152-pound division by USA Boxing. Fighting out of Fort Mitchell, on the state line of Alabama and Georgia, Powell made his pro debut with a first round knockout in April and followed it up with another first round stoppage in June.
Balderas made his name by winning numerous tournaments in the Southern California amateur boxing circuit while racking up an impressive 80 victories in 88 fights. In addition, the bantamweight won a National Golden Gloves title in 2013, a Junior Golden Gloves championship, two Adidas National tournaments, a National PAL title and two Junior Olympic tournaments. Jose also advanced to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Olympic trials. Although he is a year older, Jose waited until his brother’s Olympic journey had finished to turn pro so that the two could enter the professional ranks in the same year.
The 23-year-old Ajagba is set to turn pro after beating the odds and making the 2016 Rio Olympics to represent his native Nigeria. Although he lost in the quarterfinals, Ajagba made a splash by delivering a highlight reel knockout in his opening bout against Trinidad and Tobago. The fighter known as “King Kong” also won an African games gold medal during his impressive amateur career.
Orogun, Nigeria’s Apochi was once the captain of his country’s national boxing team, a testament to how far he came since a surprising second place finish in the 2011 Africa Games. The 29-year-old represented Nigeria at the 2013 World Championships before earning a Commonwealth Games bronze medal in 2014.
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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.
Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @Ringstar, @FS1, @FOXDeportes and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/RingstarSports andwww.facebook.com/foxdeportes. Highlights available at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions.PBC on FS1 & FOX Deportes is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.
boxing, Fox, Premier Boxing Champions

Welterweight Jamal James Battles Former Title Challenger Jo Jo Dan in Premier Boxing Champions on FS1 & FOX Deportes Action Saturday, July 15 from NYCB LIVE’s Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Long Island

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Plus! Unbeaten Prospect Brandon Figueroa Faces Eliezer Aquino in Bantamweight Matchup
 
Coverage Begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT Following
PBC on FOX & FOX Deportes Telecast
 
LONG ISLAND, NY (June 29, 2017) – Once-beaten welterweight Jamal James (20-1, 9 KOs) will meet former title challenger Jo Jo Dan (36-4, 19 KOs) in a 10-round showdown featured on Premier Boxing Champions on FS1 and FOX Deportes Saturday, July 15 at the newly-renovated NYCB LIVE, home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
Televised coverage on FS1 begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, immediately following the PBC on FOX and FOX Deportes show headlined by a welterweight brawl between former world champions Omar Figueroa and Robert Guerrero.
The FS1 show will also see unbeaten prospect Brandon Figueroa (12-0, 8 KOs) competing on his older brother Omar’s undercard as he takes on Eliezer Aquino (19-2-1, 13 KOs) in an eight-round bantamweight attraction.
“I’m excited to be able to get back in the ring on July 15,” said James. “I’m grateful to have the team that I have so that I could fight on this great card in Long Island on FS1 and FOX Deportes. I’ve been training hard and I’m hungry and anxious to get back in the ring and show off my skills.”
“I am back at welterweight for my fight on July 15 and I plan on putting on a good performance so that I can get back in the mix for a world title shot,” said Dan. “I am having a great training camp at the Grant brothers’ gym in Montreal and I’ll be in top shape on fight night. My team and I are thrilled to be part of this event that brings big-time boxing back to Long Island.”
Televised coverage on FOX and FOX Deportes begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and also features unbeaten light heavyweights Marcus Browne and Seanie Monaghan in a 10-round bout and a showdown between Polish heavyweights Artur Szpilka and Adam Kownacki.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, start at $50 (not including applicable fees) and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visitingwww.ticketmaster.com, www.nycblive.com, or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the Ticketmaster Box Office at NYCB LIVE. Group discounts are available by calling 516-231-4848.
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 that began his 2016 campaign.
Born in Romania, Dan fights out of Quebec, Canada and has picked up victories in two of his three stateside fights. A pro since 2004, Dan was unbeaten in his first 26 professional starts. He owns two impressive victories over Canadian rival Kevin Bizier and challenged Kell Brook for his welterweight title in 2015. Dan fought twice at 154-pounds, including a challenge of now world champion Jarrett Hurd, before moving back down in weight and scoring a fifth-round stoppage of Jesus Gurrola in March.
The 20-year-old Brandon Figueroa turned pro in May of 2015 by defeating Hector Gutierrez and followed that up by stopping Ricardo Mena, Ramiro Ruiz and Francisco Muro to close out the year. The Weslaco-native stayed busy in 2016, picking up six victories, including five by way of stoppage before starting 2017 with a fourth-round stoppage of Raul Chirino in February and an eight-round decision of Luis Saavedra in May. On July 15 he will fight on the undercard of his brother Omar for the third time.
Fighting out of Higuey, Dominican Republic, Aquino has fought professionally since 2007 and was unbeaten in his first 18 pro bouts. The 30-year-old has previously fought twice in the U.S. heading into this showdown on July 15. Aquino enters this bout having won his last two bouts by way of stoppage.
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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, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage, www.foxdeportes.comwww.SHO.com/Sports follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @FS1, @FOXDeportes @LouDiBella, @NYCBLive and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports andwww.facebook.com/foxdeportes.www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment,www.Facebook.com/NYCBLive. PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.BROOKLYN BOXING on Long Island is an extension of BSE’s BROOKLYN BOXING™ brand. For more information, visit brooklynboxingshop.com.
 
Bounce TV, boxing, Premier Boxing Champions

Robert Easter vs. Denis Shafikov Final Press Conference  Quotes & Photos

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Premier Boxing Champions on Bounce this Friday, June 30 from Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio – 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT
 
Click HERE for Photos from De’Aris Ferguson/About Billions
 
TOLEDO, OH. (June 28, 2017) – Unbeaten lightweight world champion Robert Easter and top contender Denis Shafikov discussed their world title showdown with media Wednesday in advance of their bout that headlines Premier Boxing Champions on Bounce this Friday, June 30 from the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio.
Televised coverage on Bounce begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features super welterweight contender Julian Williams taking on once-beaten Joshua Conley. Both fighters were also in attendance Wednesday to discuss their 154-pound matchup.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by About Billions Promotions in association with Warriors Boxing, are priced at $225 $125, $100, $75, $55 and $35, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling 1-800-745-3000.
Here is what the fighters had to say Wednesday from the Huntingon Center:
ROBERT EASTER
“We’ve had a real tough camp. Every day I’ve been pushed by team and I thank them for that. They put me in the position that I need to be in.
“I understand that Shafikov is a really tough fighter. They’ve always said the guy in front of me is tough. I’m not here to talk about all the close fights he’s almost won. I will be the first man to stop him.
“Where I come from, we don’t play games. Especially when it comes to somebody taking something from us. We’re not going to let that happen.
“I’m thankful for everyone that came out here and everyone who helped put this great card together. I’m just excited to get there in the ring and stand next to him.
“I have an advantage in reach, but Shafikov is a tough opponent who’s coming to fight. I’m going to show-off my skills and be the first to stop him.
“I just have to be me. If you’ve ever seen me fight, you can see that I always stay composed. You’ll see the same thing in the ring on Friday.
“When you get in that ring, it’s only me and him. These great fans can’t help me, only my fists. I’m focused on taking control of the fight. I know how to adjust and be a professional in there if I have to.
“It’s been eight tough weeks of training camp and I can’t wait to have this beautiful city behind me. On June 30, it’ll be man down!”
DENIS SHAFIKOV
“I believe that this is my time. It’s my third title fight and this will be the time that I take home the belt and reach my dream.
“I give 100 percent every time I step into the ring. I know that this will be an exciting fight but I also know that I have to do whatever it takes to win the title.
“I’ve been able to bounce back after my last two title defeats and make myself a better fighter each time. You will see that on Friday night and I will be victorious.”
JULIAN WILLIAMS
“I appreciate everyone coming out to support the fight. This is really a great card. I watch Robert a lot on television and I can see that the fans here are really supporting him. I’m looking forward to an excited crowd.
“Joshua Conley and myself will put on a really good fight, and I expect to come out on top and get back in that win column.
“I’m ready to challenge anybody in the division and I’m going to show that I’m back on the right track this Friday night.”
JOSHUA CONLEY
“I’ve put in the hard work during camp to get a big victory and put myself on the map in the 154-pound division.
“I know that I’m fighting a really good fighter. This is my opportunity and if I knock Julian Williams out, I’ll be right in the mix with the best super welterweights in the world.”
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