Category Archives: mekemeke

Fabian Maidana Battles To Seventh-Round TKO Victory Over Jorge Maysonet in Main Event of Premier Boxing Champions on NBCSN Saturday Night from The Scottish Rite Auditorium in San Antonio

Alan Castano Remains Unbeaten with Unanimous Decision
Over Aaron Garcia
&
Unbeaten Prospect Brandon Figueroa Stops Adalberto Zorrilla
in Round Three
Pāwhiritia HERE for Photos From Ryan Greene/Premier Boxing Champions
(Photos to be added shortly)
San Antonio (Hōngongoi 23, 2016) – Undefeated prospect Fabian Maidana (10-0, 7 Koó) scored a seventh-round technical knockout victory over Jorge Maysonet Jr. (13-2, 11 Koó) Saturday night in the main event of Te Pirimia mekemeke Champions i runga i NBCSN from the Scottish Rite Auditorium in San Antonio.
With his brother, former world champion Marcos Maidana, sitting at ringside, the Argentine-slugger overcame a slow start and a first-round bloody nose for a sensational one-sided beat-down of the Puerto Rican brawler Maysonet, who failed to answer the bell for the seventh round of Saturday’s main event.
Referee Rafael Ramos, acting on the advice of Maysonet’s corner, called the fight as Maidana dominated the punch stats with a 60-22 advantage in overall punches, 49-15 in power shots, a 11-7 in jabs.
Maysonet came to fight and pressed Maidana from the beginning, eventually, nailing Maidana with a right hand to the nose that opened up a steady flow of blood.
Sensing the urgency, Maidana stormed back in the second, rocking Maysonet with a right hand, left hook combination with just over 10 seconds to go in a round in which he out-landed Maysonet 12-4 in power shots.
Maidana’s kept up a versatile attack in the third round using head movement, stick-and-move tactics and a varied assortment of punches to keep up his advantage over Maysonet.
Maidana turned the match in his favor in the next round, delivering an impressive battering of Maysonet over the final 20 seconds of the round.
The Argentine was even more dominant in the one-sided fifth and sixth rounds, doubling up on his hooks, firing straight rights and landing head-snapping shots that began the demise of a fading Maysonet.
Tūturu Alan Castano (11-0, 7 Koó) failed to earn his third straight knockout despite out-landing his opponent 157-94 in overall punches, winning his middleweight bout by unanimous decision (78-74 e toru nga wa) over 22-year-old Aaron Garcia (15-6-1, 10 Koó).
The 23-year-old Castano was accurate early in the first round with clean right hands supporting a stiff jab. The attack caused immediate swelling over Garcia’s left eye entering the second round, where he temporarily was able to trap and hammer away at Garcia with combinations against the ropes.
Garcia dominated the final 45 minutes of the second round with a momentum-swinging right to the head followed by successive combinations from both fighters at the bell.
A third-round clash of heads caused a nasty gash over Garcia’s right eye that increasingly streamed blood, forcing Garcia to go on the offensive, as Castano countered effectively with both hands to the head and body in an action-packed fourth round.
Castano continued to control the fight, establishing angles from behind his jab, follow-up rights and clean left uppercuts while Garcia stayed competitive throughout the round.
Fighting beyond six rounds for the first time in his career, Castano spent the final two rounds on the defensive, jabbing and countering from a distance and staying off the ropes on his way to winning unanimously.
The televised opener saw 19-year-old Brandon Figueroa (9-0, 7 Koó) score a pair of final-round knockdowns on the way to his fifth-straight stoppage victory as he earned a TKO over Adalberto Zorrilla(7-2, 7 Koó) i te 2:44 mark of the third round.
The southpaw Figueroa, brother of former world champion Omar Figueroa, pressed forward with a double-fisted attack from the outset, but Zorrilla landed several uppercuts cleanly up the middle, refusing to back down from the challenge of the unbeaten prospect.
Zorrilla began to out-work the oncoming Figueroa to the head and body through the second round before being penalized for repeated low blows late in the round by referee Rafael Ramos.
The fighters engaged toe-to-toe, at ring center to start the third until a Figueroa left to the head rocked Zorrilla to the ropes. Figueroa saw his opportunity and pounced, flooring him with a left hand near the one-minute mark.
Zorrilla beat the count and engaged immediately, staggering Figueroa with a left jab. Figueroa came back to floor him for good, ki 18 seconds to go after a left to the body followed by one to the head. The blows sent Zorrilla to his back beneath a bottom rope, where Ramos waved an end to the fight.
Here is what the fighters had to say Saturday night:
FABIAN MAIDANA
We were very pleased with our performance. He caught me with a good shot that drew blood from my nose in the first round. I just kept calm, listened to my corner and stuck to the game plan. I knew I was the stronger fighter; I just had to remain patient.
I was a little disappointed that I didn’t get to knock him out, but I sensed that he would eventually quit. He stopped throwing punches and didn’t want to fight back.
It means everything to have Chino (Marcos Maidana) by my side, supporting my career. It meant a lot to get this win on US TV in the same city where he beat Adrien Broner (i roto i te Dec. 13) and became a star. With each fight, I want to show fans that I’m Fabian Maidana, not just his little brother. I proved that tonight and will do so with more experience. I’m ready to carry the family name in the ring.
This was only my 10th pro fight. I’m going to keep improving each time. Whawhai Panuku, I will look even better, no matter when it is.
JORGE MAYSONET
I had him hurt early, but I couldn’t put my punches together after that. I gave 100% of what I had, but I really only had 50% of my best stuff. I’m a lightweight. They wanted the fight at super lightweight, ka 143. We took the fight because of who he is, really who his brother is.
“Hei faitotonu, we don’t think much of him as a fighter. He’s bigger than me and was able to beat me that way. My corner saw that I reached a point where I couldn’t fight the way I wanted to. We didn’t want to disappoint the crowd by going out there and not fighting, so my corner stopped the fight and I respect their decision. This isn’t the last of me, I’m coming back at my natural weight and will go on to achieve great things in this sport.
ALAN CASTANO
“Au rawa hari ki toku mahi. It was my first time going eight rounds, I had a lot of energy throughout the fight and was able to do everything I wanted in there.
He was tough, but we knew that going in. I didn’t pay a lot of attention to his fight with Brian (Alan’s older brother, who beat Garcia by eight-round decision last December). I couldn’t tell you if he was any different tonight than when he fought that night. I just know what I wanted to do. He gave me a good test that I needed at this point in my career.
I’d love to come back as soon as my team can make a fight for me.
Brandon FIGUEROA
It was good to get the knockout, but I felt very off tonight, very sluggish. I like the activity I’ve had but this might be the first time in my career where I need a break.
This was the toughest test to date for me. I knew that going into the fight and he landed a few good shots. This was a night where I needed to be at my best. I wasn’t but fortunate to get the job done.
I know the left hook landed to his body to end the fight, but I don’t even remember it. I felt a little sick towards the end of training camp. My focus was just trying to get him out of there. I did that, so now it’s time to act like a teenager and enjoy a summer vacation, maybe slow it down just a little.
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PBC on NBCSN was promoted by Leija Battah Promotions and TGB Promotions
Mō ētahi atu pārongo'a'ahi www.premierboxingchampions.com a www.nbcsports.com/boxing, te whai i runga i TwitterPremierBoxing, LeijaBattahPR, @NBCSports and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions a www.facebook.com/NBCSportsHighlights wātea i www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions. PBC on NBCSN is sponsored by Corona Extra, pai rawa Beer.

Berridge replaces injured Dawson vs. Alvarez

 

SHOOTOUTI Quebec
STEVENSON vs. Williams
Taumahamaha AO WBC LIGHT TITLE
Hōngongoi 29 airing live on Spike TV from Videotron Centre
Montreal (Hōngongoi 23, 2016) Undefeated No. 1 nguha taumahamaha o te marama Eleider “Storm” Alvarez (19-0, 10 Koó) has found a solid boxer to face him on the Hōngongoi 29 kāri, featuring the WBC and lineal world light heavyweight title fight between defending champion A Tamutu “Superman” Stevenson (27-1, 22 Koó) me te kaiwero Thomas Williams Jr. (20-1, 14 Koó), at the Videotron Centre. WBC Silver light heavyweight champion Alvarez will face New Zealand southpaw slugger Robert “The ButcherBerridge (27-4-1, 21 Koó).
The Alvarez-Berridge co-feature, whakaritea hoki 10 rounds at a 180-pound catch-weight, will air on Koi TV i roto i te United States. NamedThe Butcherbecause of his aggressive style and power, the 31-year-old Australian sputhpaw has won the several regional titles during his pro career including New Zealand (2013 a 2015), WBC Asia (2013), PABA (2013-2014) and WBO Oriental (2013-2014).
I prepared to face a southpaw in Chad Dawson and Berridge is also left-handed, so adapting will be easier,” Alvarez said. “I tip my hat to him for accepted this challenge with only a 10-day notice
For sure, I am really disappointed in Dawson’s withdrawal, but these things happen that you cannot control. I’m still happy to get in the ring of the Vidéotron Centre in Quebec City.
Berridge is an aggressive, powerful and fierce fighter,” Groupe Yvon Michel president (Te omaoma) Yvon Michel tāpiri. “We are pleased to have found an opponent of this quality to face Alvarez in front of the Spike TV cameras.
A new rival for Bouchard
Popular Sébastien Bouchard (13-1, 4 Koó), of Baie-Saint-Paul, Canada, has a new opponent,Alejandro Herrera (14-3-2, 5 Koó), i roto i te a'ee ono-a tawhio.
Stevenson-Williams referee and judges announced
Names of the officials for the Stevenson vs. Williams main event fight have also been disclosed. The referee will be Michael Griffin (Quebec), the three ringside judges Richard DeCarufel(Quebec), Massimo Barrovecchio (Italy) a Juergen Langos (Germany), plus supervisor
Bob Logist (Belgium).
Two public training sessions were planned this weekend on Grande Allée Boulevard in Quebec City. Ko te tuatahi, featuring Stevenson, took place today (Rāhoroi) and tomorrow several undercard boxers will workout starting at 1 p.m. AND.
Tikiti mo te “SHOOTOUT” takahanga, jointly promoted by GYM and Gestev and presented by Vidéotron, in collaboration with Mise-O-Jeu, tīmata i $50.00 and are on sale and available to purchase at www.ticketmaster.ca, te Videotron Centre Box Office, karanga GYM at (514) 383-0666 andthe Champion Boxing club (514) 376-0980, or by dialing 1-855-790-1245
ABOUT GROUPE YVON MICHEL (Te omaoma): Groupe Yvon Michel (Te omaoma) i whakaturia i roto i te 2004 by Yvon Michel and his associates. The organization’s mission is the development of high-level boxers through coaching support and especially by competitive management. To achieve its objectives, GYM actively recruits talent and organizes events. it is associated with the popular series, “Te Pirimia mekemeke Champions (PBC),” and has developed major Videotron partnerships with Loto Quebec, TVA Sports, Centre Videotron, Casino de Montreal, Lac Leamy, Tonik GroupImage and Lapointe Dental Centre, in addition to collaborating closely with InterBox and Rixa.
ABOUT GESTEV
Festive, passionate, daring and creative, Gestev promises epic moments that you will remember for a long time. Gestev agrees to act as a catalyst of positive emotions and deliver experiences to meet your expectations. GESTEV manages the Videotron Centre which is a property of the city of Quebec.

Orozco steps in to face Wilcox at “Next Generation” July 28

Hōngongoi 28 poster with fighters.JPG
Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Hōngongoi 23, 2016) – Lee Baxter Promotions announced that hard-hitting Juan Orozco will face Steven Wilcox Thursday, Hōngongoi 28 in the eight round main event of the first ever “Next Generation” card at Danforth Music Hall in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
The “Next Generation” fight series by Lee Baxter Promotions provides a platform for boxers with championship aspirations. Most of the boxers fight out of Canada but some will trek from across the world to display their talents.
Living and fighting out of Zamora, Michoacan de Ocambo, Mexico, Orozco is 12-3-2 ki 10 whakaora i te knockout. A winner in four of his last five bouts with three of those wins by KO, Orozco stopped Camilo Fuentes July 16 i roto i te Mexico. He’ll also enter the ring as the naturally bigger man, fighting as heavy as 151 lbs.
One of Canada’s rising stars,Wilcox owns an outstanding 13-1-1 record and has 5 KO o. Fighting out of Hamilton Ontario, Wilcox shutout Pedro Navarrete in March. Prior to his pro career, the 26-year-old had approximately 180 amateur fights and was a two-time Canadian lightweight champion.
"Both fighters deserve props for making this happen” said Lee Baxter. “Orozco is filling in on short notice for Jesus Singwancha, who withdrew after injuring his hand in training. I runga o taua, he just fought a few days ago. Wilcox also deserves credit for dealing with multiple opponent changes and going forward with no questions asked. I runga o taua, Orozco is a tough fighter and I’m expecting a very competitive fight.”
Tim “The Irish” Cronin, a cruiserweight from Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada looks to run his unbeaten streak to 9 fights when he challenges Kristof Demendei of Slovakia in a six round contest. Cronin, 7-1-1 (2 KO o), has primarily fought in Ontario and hasn’t been defeated since his pro debut. Demendei, 10-1-2 (6 KO o), fought all but one of his bouts in Slovakia and looks to rebound from a decision loss in June.
I roto i te mahi undercard, super middleweights newcomers Augistino D’Aluisio and Mike Miller will swap leather. Junior middleweight Mayron Zeferino will have his first fight versus Quebec’s Danyk Croteau. Monster heavyweight Mladen Mijas of Ontario makes his pro debut against 5-1 Slovakian David Vyletel. Each bout is scheduled for four rounds.
Sponsored by Everlast, Vonbets, Hardknocks Boxing Club & Labatts Brewery, tickets to the “Next Generation” are on sale now for $45, $55 a $65 by logging onto Ticketmaster.Ca. Doors tuwhera i 6:30 pm and the first fight is scheduled for 7:30.

ADAM Lopez & ROMAN REYNOSO FIGHT TO A DRAW IN MAIN EVENT OF 15th ANNIVERSARY TELECAST OF SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATIONFRIDAY ON SHOWTIME®

Catch The Replay This Rāhina, Hōngongoi 25 I 10 p.m. AND/PT I te SHOWTIME EXTREME®

 

Pāwhiritia HERE Hei Tikiake Photos; Credit Rosie Cohe / SHOWTIME

 

MASHANTUCKET, Conn. (Hōngongoi 23, 2016) – With a potential title shot on the line, Adam Lopez and Roman Reynoso fought to a 10-round draw in the main event of the 15-year anniversary telecast of ShoBox: Ko te Generation New Rāmere i runga i SHOWTIME® from Foxwoods Resort Casino.

 

In attendance ringside before the fight, newly crowned IBF Junior Featherweight World Champion Jonathan Guzman (22-0, 22 Koó) announced that he’d like fight the winner of Lopez-Reynoso, raising the stakes for this matchup of 122-pound prospects. While the fight was close and entertaining, analyst Steve Farhood, who has called all 219ShoBox telecasts, didn’t believe either fighter did enough to earn an immediate title shot against Guzman.

 

The fight looked like a toss-up heading into the 10th – with Lopez leading by just one connect after nine rounds – and the Ronnie Shields pupil came up with a huge final round rally. The undefeated prospect hurt Reynoso (18-1-2, 7 Koó) in the final seconds with a flurry of shots, forcing the Argentine spit out his mouthpiece to buy himself nearly 30 seconds of rest. Seemingly out on his feet, Reynoso somehow survived the onslaught without falling to the canvas before the final bell. Lopez (15-0-1, 7 Koó) out-landed Reynoso 34-21 overall and 34-20 in power shots in the final round, but it wasn’t enough to earn him the victory.

 

Judge Don Ackerman saw Lopez a 96-94 toa, while Bill Morande had it 97-93 Reynoso, and Peter Hary cast the deciding ballot at 95-95. All three judges scored the last round 10-9 for Lopez. Had Reynoso fell to the canvas in the final seconds, te 10-8 round would have given Lopez the win.

 

"Ko reira te whawhai uaua. He didn’t want to engage,"Ka mea a Lopez, who out-landed Reynoso 158-144 overall and 131-125 in power shots. “He’s slick and experienced and a good fighter. I feel that this was my best performance on ShoBox. I have been working on new things with Ronnie Shields and it showed in there. I know I hurt him in the last round.

 

“The decision was bullshit. He could not hit me.”

 

“It was a close fight, but I feel I won,” Reynoso said. “He never hurt me. The only thing that surprised me is that he was more aggressive than in other fights. I hurt my hand from hitting him.”

 

Late replacement Jerry Odom knocked out previously once-beaten Julius Jackson with a vicious third round knockout (1:57) i roto i te ShoBoxco-āhuatanga.

 

Jackson (19-2, 15 Koó), the son of former two-division world champion Julian “The Hawk” Jackson, was outworking Odom through two rounds, who took the fight 10-days notice after Ronaldo Ellis suffered a hand injury. That was until Washington, D.C.’s Odom (14-2-1, 13 Koó) clocked Jackson with a flush right counter shot with one minute left in the third, spelling the end for Jackson, who couldn’t beat the count and suffered his second consecutive knockout loss.

 

“I saw the right hand. I was throwing combinations and I saw the opening and landed a good shot,"Ka mea a Odom. “As opposed to the last couple fights, I am in a great place physically, fakalaumālie hinengaro me. I have a great team around me. We are unbreakable.”

 

“He threw the punch at the right time and caught me,” Jackson said. “I was OK, but the referee stopped the fight. I felt up until that point, I was boxing well and winning every round.”

 

Rolando Chinea won a close, eight-round split decision victory over O’Shaquie Foster (10-2, 7 Koó) in a matchup of lightweights, ngä 79-73 (Chinea), 77-75 (Foster) a 78-74 (Chinea).

 

Chinea (13-1-1, 6 Koó) was the aggressor, dictating the tempo of the fight from the outset. And while most rounds were extremely close – closer than the relatively wide scorecards – Chinea’s activity was the difference. Chinea threw 733 nifó katoa, compared to 641 for Foster, and he edged Foster by nearly 150 nifó mana (592-449).

 

“He is a hell of a fighter and it was fun to fight him,” said Chinea, who was largely able to minimize the jab, Foster’s best weapon. “Like I said before the fight, he could not take pressure. I brought the pressure. I blocked and slipped a lot of his punches. My will and desire to win outweighed his will to punch.

 

“He did not take my pressure well. I worked my shots well inside and that was a difference in the fight.”

 

Foster, who’s record fell to 10-2 ki 7 Koó, complained that he “had distractions and couldn’t focus.”

 

I roto i te a'ee whakatuwheratanga o te telecast, Ian Green handed previously undefeated super welterweight prospect Khiary Gray the first loss of his career with a stunning second round TKO (2:50).

 

With former world champion and fellow Paterson, N.J., Kendall Holt in his corner, Green (10-1, 8 Koó) came from behind to floor Gray with a big right cross to the chin that sent him tumbling face-forward into the canvas. Gray, a local favorite from nearby Worchester, Mass., tried to hold on with just 30 hēkona mahue i roto i te taka noa, but he couldn’t make it to the break and was falling backward into the ropes when the referee halted the contest.

 

“I got him good, and I got him out of there,” said Green, who out-landed Gray 14-0 in the final minute. “He got me good one time, but I kept my left hand up and hung in there. We’re going all the way up. This is just the start.”

 

Gray (13-1, 10 Koó), who was seemingly in control of the fight and rocking Green with ease, ka te 151st fighter to suffer his initial defeat on the prospect developmental series.

 

He just caught me,” Gray said. “I don’t even know what punch it was. I didn’t even see it. I tried to hold on and waste some time, but I got caught again. I just need to get back to the gym and fix my mistakes. I’ll bounce back.

 

Rāmere o four-fight telecast will re-air this Monday i 10 p.m. AND/PT i te SHOWTIME EXTREME.

 

Barry Tompkins ka karanga te ShoBox mahi i te ringside ki Steve Farhood me te toa o mua ao Raul Marquez i te tavini ei tohunga kaitätari. Ko te kaihanga matua ko Gordon Hall ki Rich Gaughante whakaputa me te Rick Phillips aratai.

 

The event was promoted by GH3 Promotions in association with Classic Entertainment & Sports Inc. (CES) and Sampson Boxing.

 

Team Shumenov petitions WBA to declare purse bid for mandatory title fight vs. Lebedev or strip Lebedev of his world cruiserweight title belt

Las Vegas (Hōngongoi 22, 2016) – It has been more than a month since World Boxing Association (WBA) world cruiserweight champion Shumenov Beibu (16-2, 10 Koó), based on the much publicized WBA Cruiserweight Tournament rules and regulations, petitioned the WBA to either declare a purse bid for a title fight between WBA Super cruiserweight champion Denis Lebedev, or strip Lebedev of his title belt for being non-compliant.
Last Hōngongoi, Shumenov defeated B.J. Flowers by way of a 12-round unanimous decision to become the WBA mandatory challenger for Lebedev, who hasn’t fought a mandatory defense since April 10, 2015.
The WBA issued a resolution this past April that Lebedev, who defeated Victor Emelio Ramirez in May to also become International Boxing Federation cruiserweight champion, must fight Shumenov within 120 ra of the latter’s May 21, 2016 knockout victory over Junior Wright.
On record for making changes to insure only one world champion in each division, incredibly, the WBA presently has 38 different world title belt holders in only 17 different weight classes. Only three WBA divisions have one world champion – super Kōmāmā, lightweight and light flyweightand eight have three world titlists, including its cruiserweight division, which presently has world champions in Lebedev, Shumenov and Interim champion yunier Dorticos, who is the WBA second mandatory challenger.
In an apparent public relations move, the WBA has suddenly declared this month a rash of mandatory defenses, Heoi, declaring and actually making these title fights are two different things, as Shumenov has unfortunately learned. The WBA should have ordered a Lebedev vs. Shumenov purse bid on June 21, 2016, when the two sides couldn’t come to an agreement, but the WBA failed to do so. When Shumenov repeated his request for a purse bid in June, the WBA failed once again to act.
WBA Rule D: Purse Bids
1. Call For Purse Bid. Bout participants shall reach an agreement on holding the bout no later than ninety (90) days before the expiration of the mandatory period. To confirm an agreement has been reached, the WBA must receive acceptable bout contracts signed by the boxers certifying they have reached terms for the bout. If no agreement has been reached, the Championships Committee, with the approval of the President, can call for Purse bid. A boxer may also request a purse bid at any time.
Lebedev’s promoter, Andrei Ryabinsky, has been quoted in stories about having a deal in place for his fighter to defend his IBF title first. In effect, the WBA is allowing Lebedev to hold the WBA Super cruiserweight title belt hostage, leveraging it against his IBF crown. Shumenov, who is a former WBA Super light heavyweight champion, has now proudly worn the WBA belt around his waist for a total of nearly five years.
I was looking forward to fighting Lebedev and I don’t understand his unwillingness and refusal to step in the ring with me,” Na ka mea a Shumenov.
Team Shumenov is extremely disappointed in the WBA’s failure to act on making the fight with Lebedev that it mandated, in addition to being discouraged by the WBA’s failure, after several requests had been made, to either set a purse bid date or strip Lebedev of his world title belt. Not knowing if or when the WBA is finally going to rule has left Shumenov unable to book any fights. The WBA’s failure to enforce its own purse bid rule, or strip Lebedev, has unfairly prevented Shumenov from earning a living while at the peak of his pro boxing career.
Shumenov is the only native Kazakh to be a two-division world champion. Now a resident of Las Vegas, he also represented his native Kazakhstan at the 2004 Olympics in Greece.
Kia Fans hoa Beibut Shumenov i runga i tona Facebook Fan Whārangi i www.facebook.com/BeibutShumenov.

IN ORDER TO MOVE FORWARD, MIKEY GARCIA FIRST GOES ALL THE WAY BACK

Letterhead (2)

Watch SHOWTIME Sports Original Digital Series: “THE REVEAL With Mark Kriegel: MIKEY GARCIA”

Credit Photo: Esther Lin / SHOWTIME

“There’s a lot more that I’m going to accomplish and there’s going to be a lot more things for him to be proud of.’’ – Mikey Garcia on his father and motivator, Eduardo

YOUTUBE Watch, Share & Embed: http://s.sho.com/29Z12eO

DOWNLOAD Link For Your Site’s Video Player: https://we.tl/Lhylf8woLm

Undefeated Two-Time World Champion Returns to the Ring Against Former Titleholder

Elio Rojas On Rāhoroi, Hōngongoi 30, E ora i runga i SHOWTIME® i 9 p.m. AND/6 p.m. PT

On the eve of his long-awaited return to the ring, undefeated two-division world champion Mikey Garciatakes a stroll down memory lane in an enlightening and candid conversation with Sports Emmy® Award-Winning Writer Mark Kriegel. The 28-year-old Garcia openly reflects on his two-and-a-half year hiatus from boxing, the toll of his lengthy legal battle, and the humble family background that drives him to compete and strive for greatness. Check out the latest installment of the SHOWTIME Sports® digital series “THE REVEAL with Mark Kriegel", to get to know Garcia like never before as he embarks on the second chapter of his career.

Garcia returns to face former world champion Elio Rojas in the co-main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® i runga i Rāhoroi, Hōngongoi 30, ora i runga i SHOWTIME i 9 p.m. AND/6 p.m. PT. In a battle of unbeatens in the main event, undefeated Leo Santa Cruz will defend his WBA Featherweight World Championship against former 122-pound titlist, unbeaten Irish star Carl Frampton.

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Tikiti mo te takahanga ora, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Cyclone Promotions and presented by Premier Boxing Champions, tīmata i $38 a kei runga i te hoko i teie nei. Ka taea te hokona Tickets ipurangi mā te toro www.ticketmaster.com, www.barclayscenter.com ranei na roto i te te karanga 1-800-745-3000. E wātea ana hoki ngā tīkiti i te American Express Pouaka Office i Center Barclays. E wātea ana pä Group i karanga 844-BKLYN-GP.

Mō ētahi atu pārongo'a'ahi www.SHO.com/Sports te whai i runga i TwitterSHOSports, @LeoSantaCruz2, RealCFrampton, @mikeygarcia, @PaulMalignaggi @BarclaysCenter, and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports, www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment,www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter. PBC is sponsored by Corona, pai rawa Beer.

Unbeaten Sergiy Derevyanchenko Dominates Former Champion Sam Soliman on His Way to Second-Round Stoppage In PBC on ESPN & ESPN Deportes Main Event Thursday Night From Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, CT

Ievgen Khytrov Picks Apart & Stops Paul Mendez in the Ninth-Round to Remain Undefeated
Pāwhiritia HERE For Photos From Will Paul/Premier Boxing Champions &
Ed Diller / DiBella mahi whakangahau
Pāwhiritia HERE For Highlights From Premier Boxing Champions
MASHANTUCKET, CT (Hōngongoi 21, 2016) – Unbeaten rising middleweight SergiyThe Technician” Derevyanchenko (9-0, 7 Koó) patototanga iho Ahau “King” Soliman(44-14, 18 Koó) three times before stopping the former world champion in the second round of the main event of Te Pirimia mekemeke Champions i runga i ESPN and ESPN Deportes Thursday night from Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, CT.
A 2008 Ukranian Häkinakina, Derevyanchenko was in control from the start, standing his ground and delivering smart shots as Soliman attempted to flummox him with movement and awkward angles.
Soliman got caught with a missile right hand from Derevyanchenko that landed right on the chin and sent the off-balance Australian to the canvas. Soliman didn’t appear hurt however, as he continued to come forward to try to disrupt and frustrate the undefeated fighter.
Derevyanchenko continued to land effective shots and caught Soliman off-balance again in round two, this time with a left hook that put Soliman on the ground. Soliman again got to his feet but Derevyanchenko quickly stunned Soliman and put him into survival mode.
Soliman tried to tie up and avoid Derevyanchenko, but eventually the undefeated fighter training, who trains in Brooklyn, landed several right hands before a sweeping left hook sent Soliman to the ground hard and for the final time of the night. Referee Johnny Callas waved the fight off at 2:41 o te tuarua a tawhio.
The opening bout of the evening saw hard-hitting Ievgen Khytrov (13-0, 11 Koó) lay a non-stop attack on Paora Mendez (19-3-2, 9 Koó) before eventually earning a stoppage in the ninth-round of their middleweight matchup.
Khytrov and Mendez went toe-to-toe from the first-round, exchanging flurries and showing a willingness to stand in front of their opponent. It was Khytrov who showed the more varied attack while getting out to a fast start and landing 50 percent of his power punches over the first three rounds.
Mendez stood tough and continued throwing punches, but was unable to land anything that bothered Khytrov. The Ukranian-born fighter who trains in Brooklyn attacked the body early while dazing Mendez with uppercuts and power hooks. Rounds seven and eight saw Khytrov increase his attack as he seemingly landed power punches at will.
The fight continued in that one-sided manner throughout the opening minute of round nine. Sensing an opportunity, Khytrov cornered Mendez and hit him with a series of unanswered hooks that forced referee Joe Lupino to stop the fight, at the recommendation of the ringside physician, 1:20 ki te a tawhio noa. Khytrov ended the fight with a 482-125 advantage in punches landed while landing 50 percent of his total shots.
Tenei ko te aha te whawhai i ki te mea Rāpare:
SERGIY DEREVYANCHENKO
I looked into his eyes after I knocked him down the first time and I knew he would continue coming forward. I wasn’t going to drop my guard. I didn’t even feel that punch on my glove because it was so clean to the chin. But I felt the final punch.
I warmed up more than once and that broke my rhythm. In the ring I had to get my rhythm.
Soliman came out nervous and not very coordinated, but that’s the way he usually fights. That’s his style.
I’m going to keep moving forward. I can’t sit and wait. We will assess the situation and move from here.
SAM SOLIMAN
I’m doing well. I didn’t get to warm up, just a couple of minutes, but that’s no excuse. He did his job. That’s never happened before to me.
He’s a good boxer who did what he had to do. E kore e taea te tango i ahau i tetahi mea atu i ia.
After every fight, fighters have to decide what to do next. I have a lot outside of boxing that makes me happy, and it takes the sting out of tonight.
IEVGEN KHYTROV
I love to fight and battle and go toe-to-toe. I executed the game plan. My defense was much better and I’ve worked hard on my defense. This was my best fight because that guy stood and fought, he didn’t run.
I wasn’t surprised that Mendez took so many punches because I didn’t throw every punch hard, I mixed it up, but did throw some hard punches.
I want a couple more fights then I want to fight for the world title. That’s what I’ve worked so hard to do. I’m not going to dodge anybody. I want to fight Gennady Golovkin and take his belts.
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PBC on ESPN and ESPN Deportes was promoted by DiBella Entertainment.
No te toronga pārongo www.premierboxingchampions.com, te whai i runga i TwitterPremierBoxing, LouDiBella, @FoxwoodsCT, @ESPNBoxing and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/premierboxingchampions. Highlights available to embed at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions. PBC on ESPN is sponsored by Corona Extra, pai rawa Beer.

Pauna Official, Korukī & PHOTOS FOR SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION 15-YEAR ANNIVERSARY TELECAST TOMORROW LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

Tickets on Sale At Foxwoods Resort Casino

Photos by Rosie Cohe / Showtime CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS

Arama Lopez 121 – Roman Ruben Reynoso 121
Jerry Odom 168 – Julius Jackson 168
O'Shaquie Foster 134 – Rolando library.can terbury.ac.nz 134
Khiary Grey 155 – Ian Green 157

Off-TV Bouts:
Jimmy Williams 145 – Antonio Fernandes 148
Leroy Davila 118 – Edgar Cortes 121
Brent Venegas 119 – Christian Foster 123
David Wilson 161 – Kendrick Ball Jr. 162
Divante Jones 135 – Anthony Burgin 136
Doors tuwhera 6:30 PM ET
1st whawhai: 7 PM
Pouaka Whakaata: SHOWTIME i 10 PM ET / PT
Tikiti mo te takahanga, which is promoted by GH3 Promotions in association with Classic Entertainment & Sports Inc. (CES) and Sampson Boxing, E utu i $45, $75 a $150 and can be purchased by phone from the Foxwoods Resort Casino at 800.200.2882 ranei online i www.foxwoods.com

Korukī WHAKAMUTUNGA:

ADAM Lopez:
I’ve experienced and grown a lot over my last few fights. I’ve learned a lot about myself and overcame adversity. All my fights on ShoBox have been tough, but I’m hoping for a breakthrough victory i runga i te Paraire to prove I’m ready to face a contender.

Reynoso is a tough fighter. We know he swings for the fences. Because he’s from Argentina, a lot of people call him a little Marcos Maidana. He’s probably the toughest opponent so far, but we’re ready for whatever he brings.

I’m back to training with Ronnie Shields. I was with Ronnie for my first five fights and it’s good to be back. Ronnie is working on my jab and helping improve my basic fundamentals.

I want to win and look good doing it. If I get the KO, that’s great, but I’m not going to look for it. I don’t want to be on the canvas looking for it.

We want to show that we’re ready for bigger and better fights. But we know we can’t look past this guy.

ROMAN REYNOSO:
This is the biggest fight of my career. Everything is motivating for me. I want the best for my family, and winning a fight like this can help me get there.

We moved up to Montreal for training camp and we’ve improved a lot. We’ve developed defense and a better boxing style. We used to be about just coming forward and punching, but we’re working on our movement, our boxing skills.

We are coming here to exploit Adam Lopez. We’re here to upset him.

I know he has a big left hook, but we’re going to take that away. We know he has a height and reach advantage, but we like to fight wars. If he wants a war, we’re prepared. If he wants to run, we’re prepared. We’ll see if he will be able to figure out how to beat me.

I’m used to being the shorter fighter. It doesn’t bother me.

I look up to (Marcos) Maidana, but he has his own style. I don’t try to mimic that.

This is my first time moving down to 122 pauna. In Argentina, it was hard to get fights at 122 – most of my fights were at 126 – but fighting at 122 is more natural for me. Ko te kupu tenei i titiro tatou no te.

On Matias Carlos Adrian Rueda, who fights Oscar Valdez for the WBO Featherweight Championship i runga i Rāhoroi:
That’s the only boxer who has beaten me. We wish him the best. We were looking for the rematch, but it didn’t happen. In the future, it needs to happen.

Jerry Odom:
I’ve been training all summer. Opportunities come and go. I was taught that when a window opens you have to jump in. That’s why we took this fight.

We’re not thinking about his (Jackson’s) last fight. That isn’t going to dictate our game plan. We know the opportunities to knock him out are there, but we need to worry about our game plan.

I’ve watched tape on him. He still has the same posture, he has no finesse. He’s a straight up type of fighter. Nothing we can’t handle.

Records don’t mean anything. You look at my record and see I have two losses. That doesn’t mean anything, doesn’t define me. He better not be overlooking me because I have two losses. That would be a big mistake.

Julius Jackson:
The loss made me hungrier. I just got hurt. He hit me and I just couldn’t recover.

My team is confident I’m still a high-level fighter. We don’t just want opponents. We want guys that will test us.

The change in opponents doesn’t affect us. We’re just trying to perfect ‘The Chef.We want to get in there and do what it takes to win.

There’s definitely pressure. We know if I lose apopo it will set me back even more. But we’re not thinking about that. We’re coming to win. This is an opportunity to erase my loss.

Odom comes to fight. That’s what makes this an exciting fight. We’re both coming to fight.

O’SHAQUIE FOSTER:
Chinea is a one-punch puncher. He’s suitable to my style. We like the pressure he brings. We can break him down, break his will.

I’m supposed to be here. The loss in my first fight on ShoBox was a fluke. I showed in my last ShoBox fight that I belong here.

I don’t see anyone at lightweight that can beat me. I’m only 22, but at this point next year we want to be considered a contender for a title shot.

ROLANDO CHINEA:
I’ve studied tape on him. He’s an accomplished fighter. But I know he doesn’t like pressure, and my style revolves around pressure. So he’s a tailor-made fighter for me.

We’re going to do what we do best: apply pressure.

This is my TV debut and I’m ready to make a statement. This is an opportunity that I need to take advantage of.

We’ve done everything we can in the gym. We’re been sparring with top fighters in Philadelphia. We’re ready to go.

KHIARY GRAY:
I’m more of a boxer than a KO guy. I have a lot of knockouts, but that’s not what I’m always looking for. I consider myself more of a boxer.

I’ve always had late replacements in my fights, so that doesn’t give us a problem. I’ve seen clips of him, and we’re ready for him.

Going 10 rounds was a good experience for me. It taught me that my conditioning was there. That I can go the distance if I need to.

I switch to lefty when I have to. I can fight the whole fight lefty if I need to.

I sparred with Edwin (Lotilikuesí) recently, sparred with Demetrius Andrade. It’s good work with those guys. I can hold my own in the gym with them.

There’s pressure fighting on TV, but I feel comfortable. People are going to know me after this. They’ll know that I’m ready to be a contender in the 154-pound division.

IAN GREEN:
I’ve been in the gym since April. I was supposed to fight on Hōngongoi 30, but this was a better opportunity and I jumped on it.

We have Kendall Holt in our corner, and we hope to be the next fighter from Paterson to win a title.

Gray is an aggressive guy, but my range and height is an advantage. I don’t think he’s faced anyone like me. He’s been touched a few times.

Once you see me apopo, you’ll see the real Ian Green.

Barry Tompkins will call the ShoBox action from ringside with Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez will serve as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Rich Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

SANTA CRUZ vs. FRAMPTON BY THE NUMBERS: SOMETHING’S GOTTA GIVE IN VOLATILE MIX OF STYLES BETWEEN TWO OF THE WORLD’S BEST

Santa Cruz’s Volume & Accuracy Battles Frampton’s Superb Jab & Defense
I Rāhoroi, Hōngongoi 30, LIVE i runga i SHOWTIME
® From Barclays Center In Brooklyn
Pāwhiritia HERE & HERE To Download High Res Versions Of Graphics Featured Below
Credit: SHOWTIME
Brooklyn (Hōngongoi 21, 2016) – The featherweight world championship clash between defending titlist Leo Santa Cruz and undefeated former unified super bantamweight champ Carl Frampton features an unpredictable and potentially explosive mix of styles between two of the world’s top fighters.
Santa Cruz (32-0-1, 18 Koó) will make the second defense of his WBA Featherweight Title against Irish superstar Frampton (22-0, 14 Koó), who relinquished two belts at 122 pauna, when they face off in the main event of a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Tuhinga o mua Rāhoroi, Hōngongoi 30, ora i runga i SHOWTIME (9 p.m. AND/6 p.m. PT) i Center Barclays i Brooklyn.
Three-division world champion Santa Cruz ranks as one of the world’s top-three fighters in four key categoriesTotal Punches Thrown, Landed, Connect Percentagea Power Punches Landed (all per round, ia CompuBox).
The numbers prove that Santa Cruz is one of the best punchers in the world, toppingGennady Golovkin, Manny Pacquiao and ranking only second by a small margin to pound-for-pound champ Roma “Chocolatito” Gonzalez i roto i te Power Punches Landed Per Round.
More impressively, Santa Cruz ranks as the world’s best in the Plus/Minus category that was dominated for years by pound-for-pound champ Floyd Mayweather. In that statistical measure, which is determined by subtracting opponents connect percentage from a fighter’s connect percentage, Santa Cruz stands tall at No. 1 (+15.8% per fight), followed by Andre Ward (+15.3), Golovkin (+15.2), Erislandy Lara (+14.5), Terence Crawford(+13.2), Roman Gonzalez (+12.5) a Canelo Alvarez (+12).
While Santa Cruz is a statistical leader in five key categories, defending Santa Cruz’s biggest strength – nifó mana – is one of Frampton’s greatest attributes. In his last six fights, Frampton’s opponents landed just 29.2 percent of their power punches. Comparatively, Santa Cruz landed an astonishing 46.9 percent of his power shots over his last eight fights. Can both fighters continue at this impressive rate when they faceoff on Hōngongoi 30?
Frampton ranks in the top 10 o Opponents Power Punches Connected, meaning he stops his opponents from landing power shots at a staggering rate. Frampton ranks No. 10 in a group that features Guillermo Rigondeaux, Lara, Wladimir Klitschko, Ward a Crawford.
I tua atu, Frampton is the second best in the world in Average Number Of Jabs Thrown Per Round, behind leader Ihu Cuellar and well ahead of Rigondeaux (Kaua e. 5), Golovkin (Kaua e. 6), Crawford (Kaua e. 7) a Brook Kell (Kaua e. 8). Santa Cruz is also a statistical leader in this category, ranking No. 9 i roto i te ao.
Below is the list of categories where Santa Cruz and Frampton excel:
PLUS/MINUS (hit vs. get hit):
Santa Cruz ranks as the world’s best, followed by Andre Ward (Kaua e. 2), Gennady Golovkin (Kaua e. 3), Erislandy Lara (Kaua e. 4), Terence Crawford (Kaua e. 5), Roman Gonzalez (Kaua e. 6) and Canelo Alvarez (Kaua e. 7). The retired Floyd Mayweather had previously held the top spot.
TOTAL PUNCHES THROWN PER ROUND:
Leo Santa Cruz only trails Roman Gonzalez in terms of total punches thrown per round. Santa Cruz (Kaua e. 2) tops Jesus Ceullar (Kaua e. 3), Juan Francisco Estrada (Kaua e. 6), Orlando Salido (Kaua e. 7) and Gennady Golovkin (Kaua e. 9). Santa Cruz throws 84.6 total punches per round, compared to boxing’s overall average of 55.5.
AVERAGE TOTAL PUNCHES LANDED PER ROUND:
Santa Cruz trails Roman Gonzalez by less than two percent, connecting at a 33.1 percent clip compared to the overall average of 16.9. At No. 2, Santa Cruz tops pound-for-pound mainstays Gennady Golovkin (Kaua e. 3) and Juan Francisco Estrada (Kaua e. 4). Santa Cruz’s average more than doubles the CompuBox average punches landed per round of 16.9.
TOTAL CONNECT PERCENTAGE:
Santa Cruz ranks in the top three in this important category in which only a few percentage points separate the world’s best. Julio Hiha Chavez Jr. ranks No. 1, followed by Golovkin, Santa Cruz, Roman Gonzalez, Adrien Broner and Andre Ward respectively. I 39.2 ōrau, Santa Cruz landed at a nearly 10 percent higher rate than the overall average.
AVERAGE POWER PUNCHES LANDED PER ROUND:
Santa Cruz is second in the world in this category, trailing only Roman Gonzalez by a slim margin and topping Juan Francisco Estrada (Kaua e. 3), Apanere Merehe (Kaua e. 5), Golovkin (Kaua e. 7) a Pacquiao (Kaua e. 8) i roto i ētahi atu.
AVERAGE JABS THROWN PER ROUND:
Santa Cruz and Frampton both rank in the top 10 in average number of jabs thrown per round.
Frampton, who is second in the world behind leader Jesus Cuellar, tops master jabbers Rigondeaux (Kaua e. 5), Golovkin (Kaua e. 6), Crawford (Kaua e. 7) and Brook (Kaua e. 8). Santa Cruz is ninth best in this category. Frampton, who trails Cuellar by just one percentage point, throws 13 more jabs per round than the overall average.
OPPONENTS POWER PUNCHES CONNECTED:
Frampton is amongst the world’s best at preventing his opponent from landing power shots. He ranks at No. 10 in a category that includes Rigondeaux (Kaua e. 1), Lara (Kaua e. 2), Wladimir Klitschko (Kaua e. 3), Ward (Kaua e. 4) and Crawford (Kaua e. 5). Frampton’s opponents landed just 29.2 percent of their power shots.
Tikiti mo te takahanga ora, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Cyclone Promotions and presented by Premier Boxing Champions, tīmata i $38 a taea te hokona ipurangi mā te toro www.ticketmaster.com, www.barclayscenter.com ranei na roto i te te karanga 1-800-745-3000. E wātea ana hoki ngā tīkiti i te American Express Pouaka Office i Center Barclays. E wātea ana pä Group i karanga 844-BKLYN-GP.
Mō ētahi atu pārongo'a'ahi www.SHO.com/Sports te whai i runga i TwitterSHOSports, @LeoSantaCruz2, RealCFrampton, BarclaysCenter, and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports, www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment,www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter. PBC is sponsored by Corona, pai rawa Beer.

Undefeated Prospect Brandon Figueroa Takes On Once-Beaten Puerto Rican Adalberto Zorrilla in Premier Boxing Champions on NBCSN Action Saturday, Hōngongoi 23 From The Scottish Rite Auditorium in San Antonio

Ētahi atu! Full Night of Local Undercard Attractions!
San Antonio (Hōngongoi 21, 2016) – Amanaki hinga kore Brandon Figueroa (8-0, 5 Koó) is set to face once-beaten Puerto Rican Adalberto Zorrilla (6-1, 6 Koó) in a super bantamweight showdown on Te Pirimia mekemeke Champions i runga i NBCSN Rāhoroi, Hōngongoi 23 from Scottish Rite Auditorium in San Antonio.
PBC on NBCSN action is headlined by unbeaten rising prospect Fabian “TNT” Maidana squaring-off against Puerto Rico’s Jorge “MachitoMaysonet. Haamata kapinga teata i 8:30 p.m. AND/5:30 p.m. PT and features unbeaten prospect Alan Castano (10-0, 7 Koó) taking on brawler Aaron Garcia.
Tikiti mo te takahanga ora, which is promoted by Leija Battah Promotions and TGB Promotions, E utu i $100, $85, $50 a $20 atu $1000 a $850 for tables, e kore e tae atu ki ngā utu, a kei runga i te hoko i teie nei. To purchase tickets call 210-988-8821, pāwhiri HERE or visit Champion Fit Gym at 6824 San Pedro Ave. San Antonio, Texas 78216.
Undefeated local prospects are in action as Daniel Balcer competes in a four-round super welterweight contest against Rick Graham while unbeaten Enrique Neira Jr. kanohi Adam Castillo i roto i te whitu a'ee wha-a tawhio noa.
Rounding out the night of fights is undefeated Mexican Rolando Garza in a super welterweight contest and San Antonio’s Armando Cárdenas taking on Fort Worth’s Arama Ealons in four-rounds of welterweight action.
The brother of former world champion Omar, the 19-year-old Figueroa turned pro in May of last year 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 has stayed busy in 2016 picking up four more victories via stoppage over Oldier Landin, Harold Reyes, Jahaziel Vazquez and Jonell Nieves. He now takes on the 24-year-old Zorilla out of Puerto Rico. Zorilla has fought in the U.S. once before and most recently stopped Juan Valdez in the third round in June.
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Mō ētahi atu pārongo'a'ahi www.premierboxingchampions.com a www.nbcsports.com/boxing, te whai i runga i TwitterPremierBoxing, LeijaBattahPR, @NBCSports and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions a www.facebook.com/NBCSportsHighlights wātea i www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions. PBC on NBCSN is sponsored by Corona Extra, pai rawa Beer.