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All-Time Boxing Great Thomas Hearns Visits Claressa Shields in Training at Berston Field House in Flint

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Two-Time Olympic Medalist Preparing for Friday, June 16, WBC Silver Super Middleweight Title Fight Against Mery Rancier at Salita Promotions’ Detroit Brawl at Masonic Temple in Detroit
Photos by Silvia Jones
Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist and Women’s NABF Middleweight Champion, Claressa “T-Rex” Shields had a very special visitor at her gym yesterday, none other than all-time Michigan great Thomas “Hitman” Hearns.
Hearns, from Detroit, is the 1980 and 1984 The Ring Magazine “Fighter of the Year” and the first boxer in history to win world titles in five weight divisions: welterweight, light middleweight, middleweight, super middleweight and light heavyweight.
22-year-old Shields (2-0, 1 KO) of Flint, is currently preparing for her eight-round main event against Mery Rancier (7-8-3, 5 KOs) of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic for the WBC Silver Super Middleweight Championship at Salita Promotions’ “Detroit Brawl” on Friday, June 16, 2017 at the Masonic Temple in Detroit.
Once again sponsored by the Greektown Casino Hotel, tickets for “Detroit Brawl” are priced at VIP $200, Box Seats are $100 and $55, Seating is $40, and are available at all Ticketmaster outlets and Ticketmaster.com.
 
“I came out to see her because I want her to do well. I think it’s wonderful that a female fighter is the best from Michigan right now,” said Hearns. “The world is all about change and this is change for the better. I feel good about it. The champions from the past from Michigan are passing the torch to the next great fighter from here and that’s Claressa. The fans in Michigan should come out and help support her because she is the future.”
Shields said she was humbled to have such an all-time great supporting her.
“To have Tommy Hearns come out to my gym means a lot to me, I feel like I’m moving my career in the right direction and getting the right attention. I’m not just some girl putting on some gloves. It means a lot to be the latest big-name fighter to come from Michigan. I’m glad Tommy Hearns chose to come here and it does feel like a passing of the torch. He is very supportive and it feels great to be respected by such a great world champion.”
Shields says her training is going extremely well for her third professional and second championship fight.
“Training so far has been going really good. We’re 29 days out of the fight and I’m in the best shape of my life. I trained hard for my six-rounder and that only went four rounds and I feel like I’m still in shape from that. Now I’m getting ready for eight rounds and I feel great. I’m fighting at 168 pounds and I’m at 168 right now. I haven’t been having weight problems and I’m eating right and running every day.”
Shields promoter, Dmitriy Salita, says Hearns indicated he was very impressed with Shields’ gym work.
“Claressa is the next boxing superstar from the state of Michigan,” he said. “It’s a very special passing of the torch from such a living legend who lives in Detroit as Tommy Hearns. Mr. Hearns, who is a Detroit boxing icon and a great ambassador of the sport, was very impressed with Claressa’s skills and training regimen.”
Salita says he sees Shields’ potential for superstardom and her ability to revive the energy in Michigan boxing.

“Detroit is Americas Greatest Comeback city. We are going to see a revival of world-class boxing, ushered in by a young lady from Flint who despite growing up in very difficult circumstances, is a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, the most accomplished boxer every to come out of the USA boxing program. This is only her third pro bout, and she is fighting for the WBC Silver title on June 16. We are witnessing something very special here and it’s very ironic that it’s all taking place close to Detroit, which is fighting back for its own recognition again as one of Americas Greatest cities.”
More fights, opponents and rounds will be announced shortly. On fight night, doors open at 7:00 pm and the fights begin at 8:00 pm.
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For more information on the “Detroit Brawl” or Salita Promotions, visitwww.salitapromotions.com. Facebook and Twitter: @DetroitBrawl
About Salita Promotions
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe. 
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Gary Russell Jr. vs. Oscar Escandon Final Press Conference Quotes & Photos

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Featherweight World Championship Showdown Headlines SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING This Saturday, May 20from MGM National Harbor in Maryland
 
Click HERE for Photos Tom Casino/SHOWTIME
 
NATIONAL HARBOR (May 18, 2017) – Featherweight world champion Gary Russell Jr. and top challenger Oscar Escandon went face-to-face Thursday at the final press conference before they square-off in the main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING this Saturday, May 20 from MGM National Harbor in Maryland.
Also in attendance at Thursday’s press conference and competing in action on SHOWTIME were super middleweight contenders Andre Dirrell and JoseUzcategui, who battle for the IBF Super Middleweight World Championship, plus two-division world champion Rances Barthelemy and former title challenger Kiryl Relikh, who meet in a 140-pound title eliminator. The telecast begins at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT with Gervonta Davis putting his IBF Jr. Lightweight Title on the line against Liam Walsh from Copper Box Arena in London.
Tickets for the live event at MGM National Harbor, promoted by TGB Promotions, are priced at $200, $150, $100 and $50, and are now on sale. To purchase tickets go tohttp://mgmnationalharbor.com/.
Russell Jr. was joined by his brothers, 2016 U.S. Olympian Gary Antuanne Russell and unbeaten prospect Gary Antonio Russell, as the trio of brothers look to pick up a hat trick of victories in their hometown Saturday night and on the birthday of their father and trainer, Gary Russell Sr.
Here is what the participants had to say Thursday from MGM National Harbor:
GARY RUSSELL JR.
“I never magnify an event, even though it’s at home. The end objective is still the same. But I think it’s cool that everyone in our neighborhood has the opportunity to be in the arena and see what we do.
“I’m 100 percent physically and mentally ready for the challenge and I’m on top of everything I can be.
“When you get caught up in the hype, it’s a deficiency in yourself. You have to be able to focus on the objective over everything else.
“I believe in my ability but also the ability of my brothers. So I’m not nervous for them. I know what they’ve been taught. They conduct themselves like young men in and out of the ring.
“I want a unification bout after this. I’m ready for any of the other world champions. We can line them all up in the same night if you want. If I can’t get those fights, I’m going to move up in weight and bully around these bigger guys.
“I look at each fighter as their own individual. We don’t prepare the same way for every opponent. He’s a tough fighter who comes forward. He’s very physical and I expect him to be at his best on Saturday. It’s up to me to counteract what he does.
“I love this sport. I love what I do. I love being able to prepare for no one else, but the person across the ring and then dismantling him.
“We worked on versatility most. We believe in the sweet science. A lot of these guys just win because they’re stronger and faster. We want to be more technically sound too.”
OSCAR ESCANDON
“This is a very important fight for my career. This is going to elevate me to where I want to be and give me the platform to do anything in the sport. I’m very well prepared for this.
“I feel strong and healthy at 126-pounds. I’m focused on this fight Saturday night. I’ll fight anyone but right now I have to get past Gary Russell Jr.
“In my last fight I was the underdog. People counted me out. Same thing applies here. I’ve done the work and I’m confident that I’m going to win.
“I didn’t have complete training camps with my past trainers, but now I’m with Ruben Guerrero. I’m learning so much. You can look at me in my previous fights and you’ll see a vast improvement now.
“I want that green (WBC) belt a lot. Green is my favorite color. I want to be the best and to me, winning that title signifies that I am the best. To do that I have to beat the best, and that is Gary Russell Jr.
“I don’t like to talk much but I will say that I’m coming to bring this world title back to Colombia. I respect Gary but my mindset is that I’m taking this title home.”
ANDRE DIRRELL
“It’s been a long hard journey for me. But I’ve always managed to climb back on top. The hard work that I’ve put in will make Saturday night easy work.
“My opponent is a fantastic fighter. If anyone should be in line for a title it’s this guy. He has the the power and he has the skill. I just believe he’s up against a better and tougher opponent.
“I’m going to get in the ring and display all of my abilities. I’m very confident and ready. It’s time for Andre to get on top and stay on top.
“I’ve been out of the ring for a while but most importantly, I’ve stayed in the gym in training the whole time. I’ve kept positive mentally as well. Everything is going upward right now and I’m going to take advantage.
“Uzcategui has everything a world champion needs to get to that title, but he’s facing a more skilled competitor on May 20. He’s deserving of the opportunity and that’s why I trained so hard for this fight.
“The title means the world to me. We fight for the titles first. We’re all coming from the amateurs where we got trophies. My love will always be here with the sport until the day I retire.”
JOSE UZCATEGUI
“You won’t want to miss any of these fights on Saturday night. It’s a great card and I’m planning to steal the show.
“I like when my opponent talks a lot. None of the stuff my opponent says can help him in the ring. It’s just me, him and our fists.
“It’s a lot of responsibility to be the top contender for the belt. I have to make it clear that we deserve this so that I can move on to bigger and better things.
“People are going to get to see my power on display Saturday night, but also my other skills. I can do it all in the ring and I’m going to prove it.
“After this I want to take on James DeGale and Gilberto Ramirez. I’m coming to clean out this whole division and be undisputed. It starts on Saturday.”
RANCES BARTHELEMY
“I’m living a dream right now that I myself never in a million years imagined. Every time I get to speak with my mother in Cuba, I tell her of this dream that I am currently living and how it is still surreal to me. To be able to fight on these big cards in the U.S. after the long journey, after all the setbacks, I could not be any more grateful.
“Being a world champion in two different weight divisions is something still unreal to me after people doubted whether I would even become a world champion one day. But this journey does not stop here for me. I have the urge to keep on going, make history for my people, and fight the big names in boxing.
“Everyone in my team supports and motivates each other because we know we as Cubans have to work twice as hard as everybody else. There is an unfair representation of Cuban boxers among the press and fans here in America. We are misconstrued as being boring fighters therefore we are determined to erase that stigma and prove to everyone that we can brawl and put on a good show just as much as we can box.
“I have been working on some new and different things to add to my arsenal this training camp. My whole team has been incredible and pushed me every day.
“Don’t miss this fight on Saturday night. It’s going to be eventful and exciting. I’m coming to get a spectacular win.”
KIRYL RELIKH
“I’m very happy to be here and be a part of this great show. I will do my best to give a great fight on Saturday.
“Camp was perfect. I have a great team and I’m ready for anything. We worked hard and it’s going to be a great performance.
“I’m ready for any style that that Rances Barthelemy can bring into the ring. We thought that we got the win in Scotland against Ricky Burns, but it is very hard to win on points on the road.
“I always fight in different countries so this is just another one on my list. It’s normal for me. I’m very ready for the challenge and I’m expecting a great fight.
“I hope that people like my style. I’m going to entertain the fans and get a victory over Rances Barthelemy on Saturday night.”
GARY ANTUANNE RUSSELL
“I get to pick up right where I left off after the Olympics. I’m fighting on the same night with my brothers for the first time in so long. It was one of my first amateur fights when we last did it.
“I’m feeling really good. We’re making a statement and we’re making history. What’s not to be excited about?
“Mentally and emotionally the Olympics really helped me for the pros. You have to develop over time. We’re constantly training and sharpening our tools. This is a different stage, that’s all.
“I hope everyone is ready for Saturday night. There were some mishaps at the Olympics. Life is going to throw you bumps to get over, and that’s what I’m going to do. Everyone better keep their eyes open Saturday, because it might be quick.”
GARY ANTONIO RUSSELL
“I’m really excited about this fight and competing alongside my brothers. It feels good to come home and fight. My family and friends will be in the building.
“I can’t wait to get in the ring and show what we’ve been working so hard on. All the hours in the gym with my dad and brothers is going to pay off on fight night.
“I’ve seen some video of my opponent. I know his weaknesses and strengths. We’re going to come exploit it on fight night.”
GARY RUSSELL SR., Father and Trainer of the Russells
“We work hard in the gym. Everybody has a plan until they get hit. We know that he’s going to bring pressure and we’ll be ready for it.
“I’m really happy about this opportunity. We can get it all done in one night and put on a great show for everyone.
“I’m definitely in fight mode. There are no extra nerves at all. I just want to get this done and get it done right.
“I can’t really put Escandon in the same category with the top guys we’ve faced. He’s a short fighter. Most people in these weight classes are taller than Gary. At that size, the only way you can fight is straight forward. He’s not going to out box us.”
RUBEN GUERRERO, Escandon’s Trainer
“We’re ready over here. We’re going to do what it takes. We know what we’re up against. He’s one of the best. We’ll prove who is the best on Saturday. This is going to come down to a war. Gary knows what he’s going against.
“I helped Escandon set up a camp in Las Vegas for this fight because this was a huge opportunity. We were up in the mountains and that’s where I wanted him. He’s going to be great on fight night. He’ll be ready to go. It’s not easy to train in Vegas.
“We’re coming to win. We can’t control the judges but we know they’re fair. We’re expecting a fair shake. We’re going to control what we can.”
#          #          #
ABOUT RUSSELL JR. vs. ESCANDON
Gary Russell Jr. vs. Oscar Escandon is a featherweight world championship showdown that headlines SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on Saturday, May 20 from MGM National Harbor in Maryland. Televised coverage begins on SHOWTIME at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT and features super middleweight contenders Andre Dirrell and Jose Uzcategui in a matchup for the Interim IBF Super Middleweight World Championship plus two-division world champion Rances Barthelemy in a WBA 140-pound world title eliminator against Kiryl Relikh. In the telecast opener, from Copper Box Arena in London, Gervonta Davis puts his IBF Jr. Lightweight Title on the line against Liam Walsh.
For more information, follow on Twitter @MrGaryRussellJr, @TGBPromotions, @MGMNatlHarbor and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing and www.Facebook.com/MGMNationalHarbor. The event is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.
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GERVONTA DAVIS, LIAM WALSH & PROMOTER FLOYD MAYWEATHER SOUND OFF IN HEATED FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE FOR IBF 130-POUND CHAMPIONSHIP SATURDAY ON SHOWTIME® FROM LONDON

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America’s Youngest Champion Makes First Title Defense On The Road Against No. 1 Contender & Local Favorite Walsh Saturday At 6 p.m. ET/PT On SHOWTIME

 

“I’m just on a whole different level…On Saturday night you’ll be on your ass.” – Gervonta Davis

 

“I’m not intimidated one little bit.  Not by Floyd, not by Tank, not by anyone.” – Liam Walsh

 

Click HERE for photos; Credit Mark Robinson/SHOWTIME

 

LONDON (May 18, 2017) – IBF Junior Lightweight World Champion Gervonta Davis, undefeated No. 1 contender Liam Walsh and promoter Floyd Mayweather got into a jarring session during Thursday’s final press conference at Landmark Hotel in London just two days before Saturday’s world title clash on SHOWTIME from Copper Box Arena.

 

Baltimore’s “Tank” Davis, America’s youngest world champion, will attempt to become the first American to successfully defend his title on British soil in nearly a decade*, while Walsh (21-0, 14 KOs) aims to dethrone the man that Mayweather has christened the “future of boxing.” (*Note: Paulie Malignaggi vs. Lovemore Ndou in 2008)

 

Davis vs. Walsh is part of a split-site, four-fight SHOWTME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast that begins on Saturday, May 20, at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT.  In the main event, Gary Russell Jr. will make his second featherweight title defense and long-awaited homecoming against mandatory challenger Oscar Escandon live from MGM National Harbor just outside of Washington, D.C.

 

The 22-year-old Davis, who has won by knockout in 16 of his 17 professional fights, will make the first defense of the IBF belt to won via KO over previously unbeaten Jose Pedraza in January.  The 30-year-old Walsh has won by knockout in three of his last four bouts and will be a decided local favorite at an expected sold-out Copper Box Arena.

 

The pound-for-pound great turned promoter Mayweather and Walsh’s two brothers, fellow professional fighters Michael and Ryan, led the jarring during Thursday’s festivities with Mayweather claiming “I’m 40 years old and I’ll kick all three of your asses in the same night.”

 

Team Walsh was “not intimidated one little bit” by Mayweather or Tank, while the southpaw Davis promised “On Saturday night you’ll be on your ass.  And then your brothers can get in next.”

 

Below are highlights of what the participants had to say on Thursday:

 

GERVONTA DAVIS:

“I’m just on a whole different level.  I do know they built you good, but you’ve been dropped before.  They’ve been protecting you from the power, so I know you have no chin.  On Saturdaynight you’ll be on your ass.  And then your brothers can get in next.

 

“Please don’t run Saturday night.

 

“I’ve just been trying to stay level-headed.  Getting that belt brings me that much closer to what I want to do – to take over the sport of boxing.  With the performance I put on Saturday night it will bring me a step closer to being the star of boxing and follow after Floyd Mayweather.

 

“Having Floyd in my corner gives me a lot of confidence.  Floyd has been pretty hands on with me, he’s been getting up and training and running with me.  He was my hero in the sport of boxing coming up so to just have him in my corner now is amazing.

 

“I won the belt and now my focus is to take over the sport.

 

“Growing up in Baltimore, it has a high crime rate.  It’s been tough.  Where I’m from the gym is in the hood.  If it wasn’t for the gym I’d either be in jail or dead.  That’s not what I want to be.  Boxing saved my life.”

 

LIAM WALSH:

“I’m always confident.  As I’ve said many times, his performance against Pedraza was very good.  I applaud him.  Tank is the best fighter I’ve come up against in my career so far, but I’m also the best fighter he’s going to come against in his career so far.  So it makes for a great fight.

 

“He’s physically very good.  He’s very fast, very powerful.  He’s a good puncher and performed beyond his years against Pedraza.  You can’t knock his performance whatsoever, but there’s still a lot of questions that he has to answer.

 

“The southpaw stance doesn’t affect me too much.  I can switch between the two.  I’m comfortable in both stances so that doesn’t bother me.

 

“I don’t think I can put it into words what it would mean to win the title.  It’s been a dream of mine since I was a little child.  The feeling, the emotion, I can’t put it into words.  This is the biggest night of my life.

 

“There are definitely flaws in his game and they’re there for me to exploit.  I plan to take advantage of his mistakes.  When I was 22, there were definitely mistakes I made that I wouldn’t make now.  So maybe it’s the perfect time to fight him.

 

“I’m not intimidated one little bit.  Not by Floyd, not by Tank, not by anyone.

 

“I predict I will win the fight.  I wouldn’t be shocked if I won by knockout, I wouldn’t be shocked if I won on points.  You won’t see me celebrating like a mad man if I knock out Tank because I know I’m capable of it.”

 

FLOYD MAYWEATHER:

“It’s not just one performance.  It takes more than just one performance.  We truly believe that he can be a great fighter, but he came in his last fight with only 16 fights and beat the champion.  We know he’s not going to lay down.  This kid has dynamite in both hands. If he keeps going out there beating great fighters he cannot be denied.

 

“When its lights, camera, action and the bell rings, 17 times he came out victorious and 16 by way of (knockout).

 

“His team does a remarkable job, but it’s my job as a friend and a father figure to tell him to come to Vegas to get him the best work.  We wanted him to have different looks.  We want guys that were going to push him, give him different styles.

 

“This kid, he busts his ass day in and day out.  We’re going to continue to go out there and do what we do.

 

“I already conquered your country once (with Ricky Hatton) and now we’re going to conquer it again on Saturday.

 

“I don’t miss being in the gym at all.  If I can push this fighter to surpass me and break every record, that’s a goal of mine.  That’s what we’re here to do.  Records are made to be broken.

 

“I remember when I met Tank on the Canelo (Alvarez) press tour and he asked to take a photo with me.  When I took a photo with him I said, ‘there’s something about that kid that looks special.’

 

“He came to my gym and put in some real good work and I reached out to him and said, ‘whatever it takes to work with you and get you to the next level, let’s make it happen.’  I told him, ‘if you listen to me and continue to work hard I truly believe you can be world champion within 24 months.’  And that’s just one stepping stone.  As of right now he’s one of the only fighters in boxing facing back-to-back undefeated fighters.

 

“Frank Warren, Liam Walsh, we just want to commend you guys for stepping up to the plate and making this fight happen and giving the fans what they want to see.  The fans want to see blood, sweat and tears.

 

“Tank is always in tremendous fights, he’s a big knockout artist.  I truly believe in my man, and I want to work with him until the end of his career.”

 

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing. To become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing.

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Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions Makes FIGHTNIGHT LIVE Facebook Debut On Saturday, July 15

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Las Vegas, NV (May 18, 2017) – Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions will team with Linacre Media and Facebook to bring the fans from across the globe together with one purpose – the love of boxing – and will give all a ringside seat for “FIGHTNIGHT LIVE” on Facebook.
Record numbers and 5-star reviews are still pouring in following last Thursday’s debut of FIGHTNIGHT LIVE as it received a standing ovation from fans across the globe, and Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions has accepted the invitation to join the future of live FREE streaming. Fans from all around the world can tune-in to Facebook FIGHTNIGHT LIVE on Saturday, July 15 at 6 p.m. PT (9 p.m. ET) to catch a fan-friendly, interactive, high quality Facebook Live broadcast on every enabled device. Roy Jones Jr. Boxing will “go live” from Wild Horse Pass Casino and Hotel to bring behind-the-scenes interviews, exclusive first-hand looks at the fighters and the raw emotion of each fighter’s win, lose or draw.
Promoted by Roy Jones Jr. and Keith Veltre of Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions, this card will give fans back-to-back championship action. The event will showcase a main attraction featuring NABA Super Welterweight Champion John “The Phenom” Vera Jr. (16-0, 10KOs) as he takes on the former WBO Latino Champion Daniel Rosario (11-2, 10KOs) in a 10-round contest at the Wild Horse Pass Casino in Chandler, AZ. Former WBA Super Bantamweight, Rico Ramos (25-5, 13KOs) will go toe-to-toe for the vacant NABA Super Bantamweight Belt, along with Arizona area heroes. Additional fights and fighters are subject to change.
“Roy and I have always felt that live streaming would take the place of the old platforms of delivering fights,” stated Keith Veltre, CEO & Co-Founder of Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions. “To partner up with Linacre Media and showcase our talent live with Facebook is years ahead of anyone else in the industry. This will give us the ability to reach millions of boxing fans around the world and enable us to deliver our sponsors triple the exposure we would normally get from traditional T.V. Mark Fratto, the brains behind this envisioning series, is giving fighters the opportunity to showcase their talent to the world and gain a fan base. We are thrilled that his vision lines exactly where Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions wants to be.”
The July 15th card will be called by world-renowned blow-by-blow announcer Ray Flores of Premier Boxing Champions, Showtime Boxing, HBO Boxing and CBS Sports Networks. Commentating ringside alongside Flores will be boxing analyst Michael Woods of the TalkBox Podcast, NYFights.com and Ring TV. Sports fans will have a fully-interactive ringside experience as commentators respond to and answer questions and comments from the Facebook audience and fight fans from around the globe throughout the entire broadcast.
“I was inundated with complimentary texts, emails and calls almost as soon as the FIGHTNIGHT LIVE pilot started, and it was a lot of fun watching the numbers swell from 27 views at the start of the broadcast to 43,000-plus by now,” said Mark Fratto, Principal of Linacre Media. “Like many others, we believe that the present and future of ‘televised’ boxing, MMA, Muay Thai and really all live sports is digital. Further, by putting these events on Facebook we’re providing an interactive environment for fight fans to not only view the events, but to connect with each other and provide their own real-time commentary during the bouts. We believe in high-quality, cost-efficient production that can give fans free access to hundreds of global, national and regional live fight nights without breaking the bank of the promoter and also without sacrificing what sports fans have come to expect from their viewing experience – multiple camera angles, graphics, replays and behind-the-scenes access and interviews. We don’t want traditional fans, digital customers and cord-cutters to be relegated to trying to watch other spectators’ live feeds off their cell phones.”
Created and produced by Linacre Media out of New York City, the FIGHTNIGHT LIVE series features multiple camera angles, graphics, replays and behind the scenes access and interviews. The streamed shows are available globally wherever Facebook is available. The initiative not only enables fans from around the world to tune in, but also gives up-and-coming fighters a global platform to showcase their skills, gives promoters an accessible “broadcast” solution and gives small business sponsors the ability to reach a mass audience via branded content.
INFORMATION:
Websites:  www.linacremedia.com, www.royjonesjrboxing.com, www.wingilariver.com/WildHorsePass,
Twitter: @FIGHTNIGHTLIVE_, @Royjonesjrfa
Instagram: @faceFIGHTNIGHTLIVE, @Royjonesjrboxing, @LinacreMedia, @KeithVeltre
Facebook: www.facebook.com/FaceFIGHTNIGHTLIVE, www.facebook.com/RoyjonesjrBoxing, www.facebook.com/WildHoresePasscasino
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 Victory Prospects Continue on the Fast Track – Ennis & Sanchez Score Wins 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

KENSINGTON, MARYLAND – May 17, 2017 – Victory Boxing Promotions is keeping with its promise to keep its top prospects busy, with Jaron “Boots” Ennis (11-0, 9KO) and Carlos “El Tiburon” Sanchez (13-0, 12KO) stepping into the ring in Virginia and Mexico over the weekend.

Ennis’ bout, which was scheduled for six rounds, was the fourth this year for the highly-touted prospect. He faced journeyman Eduardo Flores (25-27-3, 15KO), stopping him in the fourth round. The fight was a learning experience for Ennis, who has faced increasingly more experienced competition in his last three fights. Flores has bouts with Egis Kavaliauskas, Brad Solomon, Kermit Cintron under his belt, and gave boxing fans in attendance at the Masonic Temple in Norfolk, Virginia a good show before having the fight stopped by the referee at 1:57 of the fourth round due to an accumulation of unanswered punches. Ennis wasted no time in returning to the gym, where he trains with his father, “Bozy” Ennis, to prepare for his next bout, June 10th in Atlantic City, New Jersey. It is the first of four bouts already scheduled into the third quarter of 2017. The welterweight sensation has stayed busy, racking up eleven wins in thirteen months.

“This is what we’ve planned for Victory Boxing’s prospects,” said Victory Boxing Promoter Chris Middendorf. “We want to keep them busy and keep them learning. Boots is a special talent, and we want to get him in the ring and in front of his fans as much as possible.”

Carlos “El Tiburon” Sanchez returned to his hometown of San Felipe, Mexico for the first time since his January 2016 professional debut, facing Ivan “Tigre” Chevelas, a veteran of 33 fights. Scheduled for six rounds, the fight ended in the fourth, with Carlos dropping Chevelas twice en route to landing a barrage of punches, which prompted the referee to wave off the fight. Sanchez has also been busy, racking up thirteen wins in just 19 months.

Victory Boxing Promotions has a busy summer ahead. One of the promotion’s most promising prospects (and 2017 high school graduate), welterweight Brandun Lee (2-0, 2KO) is back in action June 1st in Phoenix, and flyweight Manuel Flores makes his professional debut this Saturday in Palm Springs.

For more information on Victory Boxing’s stable of fighters, please visit www.victoryboxingpromotions.com.
boxing, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

GERVONTA DAVIS & LIAM WALSH PUBLIC WORKOUT PHOTOS FOR IBF JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP THIS SATURDAY ON SHOWTIME® FROM LONDON

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America’s Youngest Champion Makes First Title Defense On The Road Against No. 1 Contender & Local Favorite Walsh

 

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Coverage Begins At 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT

 

Click HERE For Photos; Credit Lawrence Lustig/SHOWTIME

 

LONDON (May 17, 2017) – Gervonta Davis and Liam Walsh participated in public workouts on Wednesday at the legendary York Hall in advance of this Saturday’sIBF Junior Lightweight World Championship on SHOWTIME from Copper Box Arena in London. 

 

Baltimore’s Davis (17-0, 16 KOs) was joined in the ring during the workout by his promoter and mentor, all-time great Floyd Mayweather. Davis, who became America’s youngest reigning world champion in January, will make the first defense of his IBF belt on the road against undefeated No. 1 contender and local favorite Walsh (21-0, 14 KOs).

 

Davis vs. Walsh is the opening bout of a unique split-site, four-fight SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING event this Saturday that begins at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT on SHOWTIME.  In the main event, Gary Russell Jr. will make the second defense of his WBC Featherweight World Championship against mandatory challenger Oscar Escandon from MGM National Harbor just outside of Washington, D.C. 

 

Two world title eliminators will round out the quadrupleheader.  Top super middleweight contenders Andre Dirrell (25-2, 16 KOs) and José Uzcátegui (26-1, 22 KOs) will face off in an IBF Super Middleweight Eliminator to determine the mandatory challenger for champion James DeGale.  Undefeated Rances Barthelemy (25-0, 13 KOs) will meet Kiryl Relikh (21-1, 19 KOs) in a WBA Super Lightweight Eliminator for unified champ Julius Indongo. 

 

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing or become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing. To become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing.

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World ranked junior middleweight Kanat Islam takes on Norberto Gonzalez for the WBO/NABO & WBA Intercontinental titles on Friday, May 26th at the Boca Raton Resort & Spa in Boca Raton, Florida

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World class boxing event to be shown around the world
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Boca Raton, FL (May 17, 2017) – WBA number-4 ranked and WBO number-6 ranked junior middleweight Kanat Islam will take on Norberto Gonzalez in a battle for the WBO / NABO and WBA Intercontinental Junior Middleweight championships on Friday night, May 26th at the beautiful Boca Raton Resort & Spa in Boca Raton, Florida.

The international card is promoted by Nelsons Promotions.
The event will be distributed world-wide exclusively by New York-based MultiVision Media, Inc.  The Executive Producer is Brian Ricco.  The event will be produced and directed by Ira Steven Glass.
The card will feature fighters from no less than six countries.
“This is a very special event with an International feel,” said Nelson Lopez, Sr. of Nelson’s Promotions.
“The Boca Raton Resort & Spa is an incredible facility that every A-List celebrity visits and vacations at.  This will be a great night, and we look forward to having a great crowd to see one of the best fighters in the world in Kanat Islam on May 26th.”
Islam of Almaty, Kazakhstan has a record of 23-0 with 19 big knockouts.
The 32 year-old has built up a reputation of being an exciting fighter who is constantly going for the knockout.
Islam turned professional in 2012 after competing in the 2004 and winning a Bronze medal in the 2008 Olympic Games.
Islam started to gain recognition when he stopped Humberto Toledo (41-8-2) in the 1st round.  He then scored impressive stoppage victories over Francisco Cordero (29-2) & Juan De Angel (16-3-1).
On October 29, 2016, Islam returned home to Kazakhstan and won a 12-round unanimous decision over Patrick Allotey (30-2) in front of over 18,000 fans.
In his last bout, Islam was cut badly in the 1st round of his bout with Robson Assis (16-3), yet stopped his Brazilian foe in the first round of their bout on February 17thas part of the Roy Jones, Jr. – Bobby Gunn Pay-Per-View undercard in Wilmington, Delaware.
Gonzalez of Nuevo Leon, Mexico has a record of 23-8 with 13 knockouts.
The 36 year-old is a 10 year-professional who has solid wins over Joel Juarez (22-3-1), Jesus Arras Perea (18-2), Michael Oliveira (20-1), former world title challenger Javier Maciel (30-3) and in his last bout when Gonzalez when an eight-round split decision over Daniel Rosario Cruz (11-1) on November 18, 2016 in Las Vegas,
In the eight round co-feature, Islam stablemate, Zhankosh Turarov will face Gustavo Garibay in a welterweight battle.
Like Islam, Turarov is from Almaty, Kazakhstan and sports a perfect mark of 20-0 with 14 knockouts.
On October 18, 2013, Turarov won the WBA Fedecentro super lightweight title with a 5th round stoppage over Abrahan Peralta (10-1).  In Turarov’s last bout, he stopped Isaac Aryee in 4 rounds in Almaty, Kazakhstan on October 29, 2016.
Garibay of Mexico is 13-8-2 with five knockouts.
The 36 year-old Garibay is a nine year professional who has victories over Mario Alberto Lozano (29-6) & Jose Napoles (4-1).
Lozano is coming off an eight-round unanimous decision defeat to Sebastian Bouchard (14-1) on February 24th in Quebec City, Canada.
In eight-round bouts:
Dagoberto Aguero (11-0, 8 KO’s) San Cristobal, Dominican Republic will take on Gustavo Molina (24-10, 9 KO’s) of Mexico in a super bantamweight bout.
Zhilei Zhang (15-0, 11 KO’s) of Zhoukou, China will take on Curtis Harper (12-4, 8 KO’s) of Jacksonville, Florida heavyweight attraction.

Wellington Romero (12-0-1, 9 KO’s) of the Dominican Republic battles Wilfrido Buelvas (18-7, 12 KO’s) of Barranquilla, Colombia in a junior welterweight bout.

In a six-round bout, Mike Bolagun (10-0, 9 KO’s) of Upper Marlboro, Maryland will take on Ytalo Perea (8-2-2, 5 KO’s) of Howard Beach, NY in a heavyweight bout.
Justin Wright will make his pro debut in a bantamweight bout against Christopher  Salerno (0-1) of Florida.
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Carlos Rosario ready for 1st headlining appearance against Josh Davis this Friday night at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia

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1st bout 6:30 PM

Amir Shabazz takes on Antowyan Aikens in a light heavyweight bout
Plus undefeated Tyrone Crawley, Jr., Steven Ortiz and Thomas Velasquez
David Gonzales battles Darius Ervin

Weigh In This Thursday at 5:30 PM at The Stadium Holiday Inn
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Philadelphia, PA (May 17, 2017) – Lightweight Carlos Rosario is ready for his headlining appearance this Friday night when he takes on Josh Davis in a bout scheduled for eight-rounds at the 2300 Arena in South Philadelphia.
The show is promoted by King’s Promotions. (1st bout 6:30 PM; Doors 6 PM)
Rosario of Pennsauken, New Jersey, has a record of 7-1 with four knockouts, and has won seven consecutive since dropping his pro debut. 
“Everything is going great.  I am just winding down, losing the last couple of pounds , and I will be ready on Friday, said Rosario on Tuesday night.
In Davis, he is fighting his toughest opponent, but 26 year-old Rosario is ready for for whatever the Washington, DC native will bring.
“Even though he has an impressive record (10-1, 4 KO’s), I do not know a lot about him.  His record is actually better then mine.  I am fighting at home but I still feel that I am the underdog.  I think this is a fight that could go all eight-rounds, and I am looking forward to that as I have never gone that distance.”
Rosario, who has won seven consecutive fights has been slowly moving up the card and now finds himself in the main event.
“That has not hit me yet that I am the main event fighter.  I just continue to fight and my team has done a good job of finding me the right fights.  I am gaining more confidence with each fight and my opponents continue to get better.”
Rosario has been in the gym since age 10 but did not start to competing until he was 18.  He then embarked on a 28 fight amateur career.
The full-time corrections officer is taking his boxing career one step at a time, but he is seeing improvement in every fight.
“As long as I keep winning, and stay consistent, I can maybe fight for a minor title this year.”
“I hope the fans come out.  I have never been in a bad fight.  Sometimes it’s not about winning.  I want the fans to say that I am one of their favorite fighters to watch.”
In the co-feature, Amir Shabazz (4-0, 1 KO) of Philadelphia will take on Antowyan Aikens (10-3-1, 1 KO) of Atlantic City, NJ in a six-round light heavyweight bout.
Also in six-round bouts:
Tyrone Crawley, Jr (6-0) of Philadelphia will take on Juan Rodriguez (7-6, 5 KO’s) of Manasa, Virginia in a lightweight fight.
 
David Gonzales (8-2, 2 KO’s) of Philadelphia will look to get back in the win column when he battles Darius Ervin (4-1) of Los Angeles, California in a junior welterweight bout.

Steven Ortiz (5-0, 1 KO) of Philadelphia takes on Hector Rivera (3-1, 2 KO’s) of San Juan, Puerto Rico in a lightweight bout.

Anthony Burgin (10-3, 2 KO’s) of Philadelphia will take on an opponent to be named in a lightweight bout

Thomas Velasquez (8-0, 5 KO’s) of Philadelphia will battle Brandon Sanudo (5-3, 2 KO’s) of Baja California, Mexico in a lightweight bout.

In four-round Bouts:
Vincent Floyd (2-2-1, 1 KO) of Philadelphia will square off with Rafael Montalvo (3-3, 3 KO’s) of St. Clair, PA.
 
Antonio Allen (0-5) will take on Demetrius Williams (0-2) in a battle of Philadelphia based junior welterweights looking for their first win.

Lucas Dos Santos (2-0, 2 KO’s) of Miami, Florida will battle an opponent to be named in a welterweight bout.

Rounding out the card will be a four round junior welterweight bout between Titos Gosalves of Philadelphia (0-1) and pro debuting Gerardo Martinez of Phoenixville, PA.

Tickets for this great night of boxing can be purchased at www.2300arena.com for $100, $75 and $50
THE WEIGH IN WILL BE THIS THURSDAY, MAY 18 AT THE STADIUM HOLIDAY INN AT 5:30 PM
boxing, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

ERROL SPENCE JR. REVEALS MOTIVATION AND EXPECTATIONS FOR MAY 27 FIGHT IN INTIMATE CONVERSATION WITH MARK KRIEGEL

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The Reveal with Mark Kriegel: Errol Spence Jr.:http://s.sho.com/2pRC3wr

 

Video/Photo Credit: SHOWTIME

Undefeated welterweight Errol Spence Jr. sat down with SHOWTIME Sports®reporter Mark Kriegel prior to his highly anticipated world championship match against Kell Brook Saturday, May 27 live on SHOWTIME® (5:15 p.m. ET/2:15 p.m. PT) from Bramall Lane in Sheffield.  The interview is the latest in a reoccurring SHOWTIME Sports digital series, THE REVEAL with Mark Kriegel, featuring exclusive and in-depth interviews with boxing greats.

The IBF’s No. 1-ranked mandatory challenger at 147 pounds, Spence opens up about his first knockout, injuring past sparring partners Adrien Broner and Charles Hatley, giving Floyd Mayweather a black eye and much more.

 

Below are bites from the interview:

 

KRIEGEL: That feeling when you knock someone out; it’s addictive is it not?

 

SPENCE JR.: “Who doesn’t love knockouts? That’s the ultimate way to win in boxing, by knockout.”

 

KRIEGEL: You’ve been the most talked-about talent in boxing for a good while. Why is that?

 

SPENCE JR:  “I think it’s the way I fight, knocking people out and in the ring I’m passive-aggressive… I don’t come at people reckless, I take my time, I break my opponent down. I am the sweet science.”

 

KRIEGEL: Do you think this is the fight that announces Errol Spence?

 

SPENCE JR.: “I think so… I’m willing to prove to everybody that I am that guy”

 

 

# # #

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Ruben Villa to Test Unbeaten Record on “New Blood” Undercard Friday Night

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ORANGE, Calif. (May 17, 2017) – Blue chip featherweight prospect Ruben Villa (5-0, 3 KOs) headlines an action-packed “New Blood” undercard when he puts his undefeated record on the line against Anthony de Jesus Ruiz (2-2, 2 KOs) this Friday, May 19, from the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, Calif.
Thompson Boxing’s 17 year anniversary show will be live streamed on its website and  Facebook Live beginning at 7:45 p.m. PDT this Friday.
Tickets for “New Blood” are priced at $40, $60, & $100 and are available for purchase online at ThompsonBoxing.com, or by calling 714-935-0900.
Friday’s bout marks the fourth time Villa will fight in front of an expected sold out crowd at the Doubletree Ontario. It will be his first, however, fighting on a live streamed show.
“I’m definitely excited for it. It’s great exposure for us new guys trying to make a name for ourselves,” said Villa, who is promoted by Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing. “I know a lot of my friends and family will be watching. It also gives an opportunity for boxing fans all over the country to tune in and watch some quality fights.”
Villa, a southpaw, is coming off his East Coast debut in April where we notched his third career knockout win over the previously unbeaten Luis Diaz Torres. Villa stopped the stiff-chinned Torres in the sixth and final round. It was the first, sixth round fight of Villa’s career, one that tough him several impactful lessons.
“It’s important to stick to the plan and listen to my corner,” said the 20-year-old, who hails from Salinas, Calif.  “He was somewhat reckless so I needed to show a little more patience with him. I’m used to fighting guys who are a little more technical. Diaz was able to take a shot. He was willing to absorb two or three punches to set up one of his own. I learned not to give him those opportunities.”
For Friday’s six-round bout versus Ruiz, Villa spent most of his training camp sparring at the Robert Garcia Gym in Riverside, widely seen as one of Southern California’s most boxing rich environments. His chief sparring partner was Hector Tanajara, another highly regarded prospect with an undefeated record.
“Training camp went great,” said Villa, who as an amateur won back-to-back National Golden Gloves championships. “I had quality sparring sessions against Hector Tanajara. He fights one division higher than me so it’s always good to learn from guys that are naturally bigger than you.”
While Villa comes from a well-rounded amateur career that saw him bank two wins against fellow high ceiling prospect Shakur Stevenson, the Northern California native is always on the quest to better his skills.
“I’ve been working on using more angles to set up punches,” Villa said. “The goal is to develop better range with my jab so I can be more effective. With Ruiz, I plan to feel him out for the first round and then I’ll start going at his weaknesses. A lot of what I plan to do will come off the jab.”
The live stream, titled “TB Presents: New Blood,” will be anchored by blow-by-blow announcer Beto Duran with Steve Kim providing expert color commentary.
Connect with Ruben Villa on social media: Instagram: RubenV4 , Facebook: Ruben Villa IV , & Twitter: @Ruben_Villa4 .