Category Archives: boxing

amateur boxing, boxing, Las Vegas

“BATTLE BORN BOXING” Amateur series returns to Downtown Las Vegas Events Center

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LAS VEGAS (May 16, 2016) -“Battle Born Boxing: Uprising II” is on tap Friday night, May 20, starting at 7 p.m. PT, at the outdoor Downtown Las Vegas Events Center.

“Battle Born Boxing” is an amateur boxing series created by Neon Star Media on behalf of its client, the D Las Vegas, to support amateur boxing in Nevada, as well as provide a platform for amateur boxers from other states to compete against local clubs and boxers.
Las Vegas-based boxing clubs represented at “Battle Born Boxing: Uprising II” includes Barry’s Boxing, Richard Steel Boxing Club and Johnny Tocco’s Ringside Boxing.
“Battle Born Boxing” was successfully launched April 15 and the amateur boxing series will continue the night before each of the “Knockout Night at the D” series professional boxing events, airing live throughout 2016 on CBS Sports Network from the DLVEC.
“Battle Born Boxing: Uprising II” tickets, priced at $19.00 for ringside (rows 1 and 2) and $15.00 for general admission, are on sale at www.DLVEC.com.  All tickets purchased for “Battle Born Boxing: Uprising” will entitle ticketholders to receive $10.00 off any tickets purchased for the following evening’s (May 21) “Knockout Night at the D” pro event.  Those tickets, priced at $99.99 VIP ringside, $49.99 ringside, $24.99 and $14.99 general admission, are on sale at www.Ticketmaster.com or www.DLVEC.com.  Taxes and fees apply to all sold tickets.
boxing

DEONTAY WILDER STATEMENT ON HIS TITLE DEFENSE FIGHT AGAINST ALEXANDER POVETKIN 

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MAY 15, 2016 – In the wake of the news on Friday that Alexander Povetkin tested positive for the banned substance meldonium, WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder and his representatives have been made aware of the WBC’s decision on Sunday that the fight will not occur in Moscow on May 21.
“I’m very disappointed that due to Povetkin’s failed drug test the fight is not going to happen on May 21 in Moscow,” said Deontay Wilder. “I had worked very hard to prepare myself for this important title defense, spending the last two weeks training in England to get accustomed to fighting in Europe.  I wanted to give the fans a great show, but we understand the WBC’s position that the fight occur on an even playing field.”
Povetkin, the WBC No. 1 heavyweight championship contender, tested positive for the substance in a urine test conducted by the Las Vegas-based Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) on April 27.
“Based upon Povetkin’s positive test for meldonium, and with the health and safety of Deontay Wilder the paramount consideration, this fight could not take place next Saturday,” said DiBella. “As a result of Povetkin’s use of a banned substance and breach of contract, Deontay Wilder was deprived of an opportunity to defend his title as he was prepared to – on an even playing field. He and his team have suffered substantial damages as a result. Any talk of rescheduling by Mr. Ryabinskiy at this point is unfounded and premature. Team Wilder will await further communications from the WBC and will weigh all our options given what has transpired.”
The 30-year-old Wilder (36-0, 35 KOs) and his team were supposed to fly to Moscow on Sunday for a week of preparation and promotion leading up to the fight. Now, Wilder will return home to Tuscaloosa, Alabama and await further information from the WBC.
“This is a huge disappointment and a setback to my goals in boxing. I want to be an active heavyweight champion and it is still my goal to collect all the belts and become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world,” Wilder said.
BET Network, boxing, Roc Nation

Luis “Orlandito” Del Valle Decisions Thomas “KO” Snow; Targets Bigger Opportunities

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Del Valle left hook.jpg

PHOTO CREDIT: Roc Nation Sports

Washington, DC (May 14, 2016) – 122 pound contender Luis “Orlandito” Del Valle (22-2, 16 KO’s) of Bayamon, Puerto Rico scored a clear-cut, eight-round unanimous decision over local southpaw Thomas “KO” Snow (18-3, 12 KO’s) on Friday, May 13 at the DC Armory in Washington, D.C.
Fighting on Roc Nation Sports’ Throne Boxing on BET, Del Valle looked to set the tone by pressuring the DC-based Snow in the opening round. In the second, the former NABA featherweight champion landed a number of straight right hands, including one that sent Snow down hard. Sensing that a knockout may be imminent, Del Valle swarmed Snow but he made it out of the round.
The third saw Del Valle land a picture perfect left hook that dropped Snow again, who effectively tied up after tasting the canvas. Del Valle continued to press the action in the fourth and fifth stanzas, while Snow began moving his hands but still held frequently. Snow found moments of success in the sixth and had his best round in the seventh, during which he connected with a hard shot that got an off balance Del Valle’s attention. Still gunning for a knockout, Del Valle pushed the action in the eighth however, Snow tied him up on multiple occasions and finished on his feet.
While most fans and ringsiders had Del Valle winning at least six rounds, the scores were surprisingly 76-74 on all three scorecards.
“Thomas Snow was a very game fighter and I tip my hat off to him for being a tough competitor,” Del Valle said shortly after the victory. “I would’ve liked to have finished him, but he was constantly tying me up. I thought the referee would’ve warned him or taken a point, but that didn’t happen. This fight was a good learning experience and like JAY Z says ‘it’s onto the next one.’”
With Snow out of his way, Del Valle’s sights are set on bigger opportunities.
“I want to get my hands on one of the champions or top contenders at 122 pounds. Ever since I started boxing, my goal was to become a world champion. I’m hoping to have the chance to fight for one of the belts soon because there’s nothing I want more than to bring a world title belt back to Puerto Rico.”
Fans can interact with Del Valle on Twitter @Orlanditoboxing and facebook.com/Orlandito-Del-Valle-111406195543360.
boxing

Derrick Webster to headline D and D Promotions presents Rumble at the Rink on Saturday June 4th at The Grundy Arena in Bristol, PA

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Also slated to see action will be Elijah Vines, Vidal Rivera and Mike Hilton
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Bristol, PA (May 13, 2016) – On Saturday night June 4th, a brand new boxing series will be launched as D and D Promotions presents its inaugural “Rumble at the Rink” Boxing series that will take place at The Grundy Arena in Bristol, Pa.
Scheduled to appear in the six-round main event will be super middleweight Derrick Webster.
Webster of Glassboro, New Jersey has a record of 19-1 with 10 knockouts and will be looking to get back in the win column after an eleven-month layoff.
Webster won his first nineteen bouts, which was highlighted by a 22-second knockout over 23-1 Obodai Sai.  He is coming off his first professional blemish when he was stopped by undefeated Arif Magomedov on July 17, 2015.
Also scheduled to appear will be super welterweight Elijah Vines (1-0, 1 KO) of Philadelphia; super bantamweight Vidal Rivera (3-0, 3 KO’s) of Camden, New Jersey and two-time National Golden Gloves champion Mike Hilton (1-0, 1 KO) of Philadelphia.
All four will have their opponents announced shortly plus six High-Level amateur bouts will be part of a special night of boxing.
Tickets for this special evening are $100, $75, $50 & $30 and can be purchased by calling Dave Price at 267-246-7182 or Doc Nowicki at 609-923-3982

The Grundy Arena is located at 475 Beaver Street in Bristol, PA
boxing

Cruiserweight Emilio Salas Ready to Represent New York vs. Detroit in ‘Detroit Brawl’ Main Event this Saturday

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After getting knocked out a minute and a half into his professional boxing debut, cruiserweight Emilio Salas had to be wondering if a career change was in order.
But Salas shook off the embarrassment, and when he and now-fiancé Krystal Velez moved to Yonkers, New York, and he hooked up with trainer Jose Guzman, fortunes began to change.
Salas (5-1-1, 3 KOs) hasn’t lost a fight since and is now appearing in his first main event, a six-round cruiserweight main event against Detroit’s Demetrius Banks (6-0, 4 KOs) on Saturday May 14, in Banks’ backyard of the Masonic Temple in Downtown Detroit.
The pair will be headlining promoter Dmitriy Salita’s “Detroit Brawl” event that also features a six-round co-main event between undefeated bantamweight James Gordon Smith (9-0, 6 KOs) and Mexico’s Pablo Cupul (8-19, 5 KOs).
Tickets for “Detroit Brawl” are on sale now and are priced at $28, $38, $63, $93, $100 and $123. They are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com, by calling 800-745-3000, or by visiting the Masonic Temple box office.
“I have gotten a lot better with the trainers over here and I’ve had a lot more success,” admitted Salas. “I’m a southpaw with fast hands and I move around well and I punch hard with both hands. But one of my biggest things I have is heart. You have to want to fight and have heart and I do.”
Although he says he doesn’t know much about Banks, Salas says it’s ok because he prefers to figure an opponent out in the ring. “Normally once I get in there, I can tell what a fighter’s weaknesses are. He’s undefeated and I’ll be fighting in his hometown, but the people I have fought have almost all been undefeated and I’ve beaten them, so this is nothing different and I am not scared to fight him in Detroit. Most of my fights are in my opponent’s backyard. I really don’t know what to expect. I’m training hard for it and I hope for the best.”
Salas’s nickname in the ring is “El Jibaro,” which is slang for a country hick. “They call me that because I was born and raised in area of Puerto Rico where there is lots of forest and not many houses and people are sort of poor. It means I’m from the jungle. I like to do real Puerto Rican things like working with animals and riding horses. I love Puerto Rico and I dedicate all my; fights to my family and to the people of Puerto Rico. My goal is to win a world title so that I can take it back to my hometown in PR and show that my first fight wasn’t the last one. I want to show them that whatever you want to do in life you can make it happen if you work hard enough.”
Salas caught promoter Dmitriy Salita’s eye early last year, fighting to a draw against one of Salita’s fighters, Ytalo Perea, a former Olympian.
“Emilio is very naturally talented,” said Salita. “He only had about 20 amateur fights and seven as a pro and he’s already a very good fighter. If he continues to develop and improve, he will soon become a force in the division.”
###
Also featured that night will be Russian cruiserweight Alexey Zubov (10-1, 6 KOs) will look to bounce back from his first career loss by taking on the capable Ernest Reyna (8-3, 4 KOs) of Corpus Christi, Texas, in a six-rounder. And in four-round welterweight bout between undefeated fighters, Turkmenabat, Turkmenistan’s Serdar Hudayberdiyev (1-0, 1 KO) will face Marco Russell (1-0-1) of Henderson, Nevada.
In a six-round super middleweight scrap, Detroit’s super middleweight James Ballard (6-0, 3 KOs) will face Chicago’s Edgar Perez (6-18, 3 KOs); Detroit middleweight Darrell Van Horn (8-0, 5 KOs) will go against Torreon, Mexico’s Francisco Reza (13-17, 10 KOs) in a four-rounder; East Pointe, Michigan, cruiserweight Clarence Dubose (2-0, 2 KOs) will battle pro debuting Jovan Blakely of Detroit in a four-round battle; and Brooklyn via Georgia super lightweight Giorgi Gelashvili (3-0, 2 KOs) will face Jackson, Michigan’s Alfred Hall (4-11-2, 2 KOs) in a four-round bout.
Fight card subject to change.
Salita is also proud to announce that Detroit’s premier casino has once-again agreed to sponsor, along with some new local businesses including Thomas Magee’s Sporting House Whiskey Bar and its proprietor, Erik Olson.
Your downtown playground, Greektown Casino Hotel is consistently voted Detroit’s Best Casino. Located right in the hub of the historic Greektown district it’s impossible to be any closer to the action. No matter what you want to play, Greektown Casino Hotel has your non-stop gaming action. From the newest slots and table games to live poker, Greektown Casino Hotel has 100,000 square feet of exciting, action-packed choices and so many thrilling ways to win!
Greektown Casino Hotel features a 30-story hotel with 400 stunning guestrooms and suites devoted to your comfort. And for your culinary needs, you can savor eclectic cuisine at one of their outstanding restaurants: Prism, Bistro 555 and The Market District.
For your special event or corporate gathering, Greektown Casino Hotel offers impeccable service in addition to a variety of exceptional spaces to help make your event an unforgettable experience.
Thomas Magee’s Sporting House Whiskey Bar offers patrons an old-school sports and whiskey bar in Downtown Detroit’s Eastern Market district. Thomas Magee’s prides itself on providing every sport, every game, and every fight, plus great beer and whiskey!
For event information, visit themasonic.com  and  SalitaPromotions.com  
On fight night, doors open at 6:30.
 
For more information on the “Detroit Brawl” or Salita Promotions, visit www.salitapromotions.com. The Greektown Casino Hotel is located at 555 E Lafayette Street in Detroit. For more information, visit them online at greektowncasino.com. Twitter: @GreektownCasino.
Thomas Magee’s Sporting House Whiskey Bar is located at 1408 E Fisher Service Drive in Detroit. For more information, call 313-263-4342 or visit their official Facebook page:
boxing

Marvin Hagler Jr. to take on Ray Leonard Jr. on April 8, 2017 in Atlantic City

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30 years to the day of their Fathers’ memorable fight
Atlantic City, NJ (May 13, 2015) – On April 8, 2017, Feldman Brothers, Ritesh Parikh and former Heavyweight champion of the world, Larry Holmes will present a special night that will feature a bout 30 years in the making.
Marvin Hagler Jr. and Ray Leonard Jr. will square off in a battle for legacy in a contest that will come exactly 30 years after the Father’s squared off in a memorable fight.
The third man in the ring will be the same referee that officiated Leonard Sr’s win over Hagler Sr.  That being Richard Steele.

The event will distributed worldwide live on Pay-Per-View.
boxing, Las Vegas

Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions announces Sponsorship agreement with Idea Design Studio

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LAS VEGAS (May 13, 2016) –   Roy Jones Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions and Neon Star Media have added extra punch for its next two shows, securing Idea Design Studio as the main sponsor for the next two “Knockout Night at the D” events, May 21 and June 10, at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center(DLVEC) outdoor venue.
The “Knockout Night at the D” series, presented by the D Las Vegasand DLVEC, is promoted by Roy Jones Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions.  The May 21st event is promoted in association with Main Events and Shamo Boxing Promotions, June 10th in association with James Toney Promotions.
Idea Design Studio, based in Miami, is a 100-percent confidential invention help firm that assists inventors in designs, development, protection and marketing tools to bring their new invention to market for sale or licensing. For more than seven years, inventors have brought their original inventions, ideas, or improvements to existing products to Idea Design Studio’s creative staff to help inventors realize their invention’s true potential.
“Bringing Idea Design Studio onboard as a partner is just another example of how RJJ is going outside the norm of boxing,” said Keith Veltre, CEO / Co-Founder of Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions.  “RJJ is reaching new heights, expanding our horizons and becoming the new generation of boxing.  When great minds come together in any industry, the ideas are endless.”
“My business partner, Jeff Weiss, and I are thrilled to partner with Roy Jones Jr. Boxing,” added Marvin Powell III, co-owner of Idea Design Studio.  “Whether its up-and-coming boxers or the inventors that we work with, we believe that this joint venture represents two companies committed to helping others achieve the American Dream.”
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @RoyJonesJRFA, @IdeaDzignStudio
Instagram: @RoyJonesJRFA, @idea_design_studio_group
boxing, NBC, Premier Boxing Champions

Exciting Light Heavyweight Star Andrzej Fonfara Takes On Hard-Hitting Joe Smith Jr. In Primetime Main Event of Premier Boxing Champions on NBC Saturday, June 18 from UIC Pavilion in Chicago (8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT)

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Plus! Bantamweight World Champion Juan Carlos Payano Battles
Rau’shee Warren in Rematch of 2015 Thriller
&
Rising Star Erickson Lubin Faces Mexican Brawler Daniel Sandoval in Super Welterweight Bout That Rounds Out Action-Packed Tripleheader
 
Tickets on Sale Now!
 
CHICAGO (May 13, 2016) – Power-punching fan favorite Andrzej Fonfara (28-3, 16 KOs) will enter the ring against no nonsense New Yorker Joe “The Irish Bomber” Smith Jr. (21-1, 17 KOs) on Saturday, June 18 in a 10-round primetime battle that headlines Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on NBC from UIC Pavilion in Chicago.
Televised coverage begins at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT and will feature a bantamweight world title rematch that sees current champion Juan Carlos Payano(17-0, 8 KOs) take on three-time U.S. Olympian Rau’shee “Nuke” Warren (13-1, 4 KOs) as they rehash their rivalry that began in August 2015 when Payano won a narrow split-decision to retain his title. Also featured on the telecast is rising star Erickson “The Hammer” Lubin (14-0, 10 KOs) who faces powerful Mexican Daniel Sandoval (37-3, 34 KOs) in a super welterweight contest.
“I think that this fight Smith is a great challenge for me and I do not underestimate him,” said Fonfara. “He is young and hungry and he wants to use this fight and my name to show the world his skills. He’s coming to Chicago for victory and glory. I have to show him that I am stronger, more experienced and most importantly, a smarter fighter. I have to win this fight because it will open the door for me to rematch Adonis Stevenson.”
“I’ve been working very hard and for many years towards an opportunity like this,” said Smith Jr. “I am grateful to Joe DeGuardia and Star Boxing for helping to get me here. This fight is going to change my life and no one is going to keep me from winning.”
Payano and Warren first fought in Florida where Payano retained his title via split decision with scores of 113-111 twice for him and 115-109 for Warren. The fight featured consistent action and some controversy. Payano was deducted a point in round three while Warren lost two points in round nine for an intentional foul. At the end of the fight, both men raised their hands believing they had won and now they look to settle the score in Chicago.
“I knew this rematch would be offered and it’s been a waiting game since I beat him the first time,” said Payano. “I feel like I won convincingly, but some people feel otherwise. I’m very excited about fighting him again and this time I’ll beat him even more easily. Fighting on NBC is a great privilege and it’s a great place to showcase my talents. I am coming in humbled by this opportunity.”
“I’ve been waiting for this rematch since the moment we got out of the ring the first time,” said Warren. “I’m happy it’s finally coming up on June 18. Until that day is here, there is nothing else on my mind. I’m real sharp right now. I’m going for the knockout. It didn’t go my way last time, but I’m bringing home the belt this time.
“Every fight is big for me, whether I’m televised or not, because I always give it my all,” said Lubin. “But fighting in primetime on NBC is a big opportunity for me and I know it will bring something out of me. I have to perform. It’s up to me to go out and showcase my talent so I can keep moving up the ladder. Daniel Sandoval is a veteran who can prepare me for a world title shot. I’m more than ready and this fight will put me one step closer.”
“This is a very good fight for me and I’m excited,” said Sandoval. “I know if I come to the U.S. and beat Lubin, my name will be big and there will be another great Mexican fighter on the map. I know Lubin is the top prospect in the U.S. right now and a very fast southpaw. He is all the things you wouldn’t want to go up against, but it’s boxing and I’m Mexican. I’ll fight anybody, anytime, anywhere.”
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Warriors Boxing and Star Boxing, are priced at $201, $101, $61 and $41, not including applicable service charges, and are on sale now. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or UIC Pavilion Box Office at (312) 413-5740. Tickets are also available atwww.ticketmaster.com or by visiting the UIC Pavilion Box Office (Thursday or Friday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.).
“Warriors Boxing is excited to bring PBC on NBC to the Windy City,” said Leon Margules, President of Warriors Boxing. “Chicago’s favorite son, Andrzej Fonfara, always thrills fans with his non-stop fighting style. Joe Smith Jr. has been destroying his competition in New York and also brings a fan friendly ‘seek-and-destroy’ style to the fight. The main event should be explosive. When you add up-and-coming superstar Erickson Lubin and if Payano vs. Warren II live up to their prior Fight of the Year candidate, it will be a can’t miss night of boxing.”
“I am truly looking forward to this main event,” said Joe DeGuardia of Star Boxing. “Smith and Fonfara are both very exciting fighters and I expect a thrilling war. Their styles will have Chicago rocking with enthusiastic Irish fans for Smith and Polish fans for Fonfara. The electric atmosphere will be a treat to everyone watching on NBC and I expect big things from Joe Smith Jr.”
Fonfara returns to the ring after defeating Nathan Cleverly in October at UIC Pavilion in a fight that garnered Fight of the Year consideration and saw a record number of punches landed (936) and thrown (2524) for a light heavyweight fight in CompuBox history. Prior to that, the 28-year-old became the first person to stop Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and lost a decision to world champion Adonis Stevenson in a fight that saw both men hit the canvas. From Warsaw, Poland but training out of Chicago, Fonfara will fight in the Windy City for the 20th time when he enters the ring in primetime on June 18.
Representing Long Island, New York, Smith Jr. will bring his heavy hands to primetime as he looks for his 16th straight victory on June 18. The 26-year-old was a highly decorated amateur who won the 2008 New York Golden Gloves with a victory over Seanie Monaghan. A member of the Local 66 Laborers Union between fights and the oldest of eight siblings, Smith Jr. picked up his most impressive victory of his career so far when he defeated veteran Will Rosinsky in a hotly contested battle in Brooklyn. He followed it up with a second round stoppage of Fabiano Pena in April and is set for his toughest challenge in June.
The two-time Dominican Olympian Payano will defend his title for the second time since winning a technical decision over Anselmo Moreno in September 2014. The accomplished amateur won gold at the 2006 Central American and Caribbean games with victories over McJoe Arroyo and Yoandris Salinas. The unbeaten 32-year-old defeated Jundy Maraon, Jose Silveria and Luis Maldonado on the way to his title shot.
A three-time U.S. Olympian from Cincinnati, Warren is determined to make the most of his second shot at a world title. The 29-year-old turned pro in 2012 and picked up victories over veterans Jose Luis Araiza, Javier Gallo, German Meraz and Jhon Alberto Molina leading up to the first world title shot. Another fighter in veteran trainer Mike Stafford’s stable, Warren was the first member of the 2012 U.S. Olympic team to earn a world title shot and will look again to become the first member of that team to capture a world title.
A highly-regarded prospect with an exciting style, the 20-year-old Lubin has burst onto the scene looking to engage and finish opponents early. Fighting out of Orlando, he has already taken down experienced veterans including Orlando Lora, Ayi Bruce, Michael Finney and Norberto Gonzalez. He was sensational in November 2015 when he knocked out Alexis Camacho on NBC and in January he headlined his first card and dominated Jose De Jesus Macias in his first 10-round bout.
A winner of 18 of his last 19 fights, Sandoval enters this fight coming off of stoppage victories over Grady Brewer and Francisco Villanueva. The 25-year-old has won his previous two starts in the U.S. with decision victories over Richard Gutierrez in 2014 and Larry Smith in 2012 and will look to take down the undefeated Lubin on June 18.
follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @Andrzej_Fonfara, @JC_Payano, @RausheeWarren, @EricksonHammerL, @WarriorsBoxProm, @StarBoxing and @NBCSports and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxing,www.Facebook.com/WarriorsBoxingPromo and www.Facebook.com/NBCSports.Highlights available at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions. PBC on NBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.
boxing, CBS Boxing, Premier Boxing Champions, Showtime

Jesus Cuellar & Abner Mares Los Angeles Media Roundtable Quotes & Photos

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Featherweight World Title Fight Opens Coverage
Live on CBS at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT Before
Keith Thurman vs. Shawn Porter Welterweight World Title Showdown
 
Click HERE For Photos From Scott Hirano/SHOWTIME
 
LOS ANGELES (May 12, 2016) – Featherweight world champion Jesus Cuellar and former three-division world champion Abner Mares went face-to-face for the first time Thursday as they hosted media roundtables in Los Angeles ahead of their showdown on Saturday, June 25 showdown live on CBS from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on CBS, presented by Premier Boxing Champions, begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and is headlined by the highly anticipated welterweight clash between welterweight world champion Keith Thurman and former world champion Shawn Porter.
Tickets for the June 25 event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, start at $49 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, www.barclayscenter.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.
With both men training in California, the two met for the first time at The Palms Restaurant about their fight and respective training camps before they head east to Brooklyn for the primetime battle.
Here is what the participants had to say Thursday:
JESUS CUELLAR
“I’ve been training very hard for this fight. You will see on June 25 that I have one of the best chins out there. I’m excited to finally have this fight.
“I have no bitterness towards Robert Garcia. I’ve seen him and I’m thankful for him making me a champion. This is business. This is work.
“We’ve been training in Big Bear for a little over two months now so I’m pushing myself very hard for this fight. I’m thankful for this great opportunity and I want to make the most of it.
“On June 25, I will once again give it my all and leave it all in the ring. At the end of the fight I will prove who the champion is and raise my hand in victory.
“I’m focused and well prepared. I’m ready for anything that happens. I know I’m going to win the fight. It doesn’t matter how, but I’m going to win.
“This is the same team we’ve had for four years, whether Robert Garcia is here or not. We’re ready to take on anyone.
“We’ve wanted this fight for two years and finally it is the time. We’re going to be in great shape and I know Mares will be in great shape too. We’re very happy that the fight was made. June 25 I’m going to prove that I am the number one featherweight champion.
“I’m just excited to go in the ring and give my best on June 25. I’m going to bring the victory home to Argentina.
“I’m thankful to be an Argentine champion and I’m happy to represent my country as the only world champion right now.”
ABNER MARES
“I’m really happy to be a part of this card against a really tough fighter in Jesus Cuellar. I know he’s mentioned that he wants to fight me and I’ve never been scared to do so. It’s all about timing. Now he’s going to know what it’s like to fight a top level fighter.
“I’ve been in boxing for many years. I’ve fought many tough fights. Against Leo Santa Cruz it wasn’t the outcome that we wanted, but we showed that we have the heart and the intelligence to fight top level guys.
“I’m happy that I’m fighting some with a legacy. Jesus Cuellar is a tough fighter, he hits hard and I respect him. I have nothing bad to say about him as a person. I know he’s going to be well conditioned, but I’m a level higher and I’m going to show it on June 25.
“This is a fight that I can gain so much and Robert Garcia too. He’s going to show, through me, that it was a big mistake for Cuellar to leave him.
“I feel great about the Santa Cruz fight, despite the loss on my record. It was a win, because I gained so much, a lot of respect and a lot of experience.
“I have a lot of reasons to be excited about this fight. One, I’m finally going to New York. I’ve never been there in my life. Two, I will become a world champion again. Three, I’m definitely fighting a top-level fighter. As I’ve mentioned many times before, I like these types of fights. It always brings out the best in me.
“Against Cuellar you’re going to see a different Abner, a new Abner. With Robert Garcia as my coach I have the slight advantage that he once trained Cuellar and took him to a world title. He’s a tough fighter, but he can’t say I’m not either.”
JUAN MANUEL LEDESMA, Cuellar’s Trainer
“We worked with Robert for four fights. We worked together and made Jesus a better fighter. Now there is the opportunity to continue working with Jesus, so I see no controversy or problems there.
“The long camp was what we needed. We needed to clear up some stuff and work on some things that were lacking. We got extra time in the altitude and being in Big Bear we are away from any distractions. Jesus is focused on what he needs to work on.
“Abner Mares is a great, skilled fighter. We have been working together to perfect the skills that we need to bring into the fight. When the day comes, we will be ready for the fight.”
ROBERT GARCIA, Mares’ Trainer
“When Mares first started working with me, we had no idea we were going to fight Jesus Cuellar. Now that we’re back in camp, I definitely have to take advantage of all the things I know about Cuellar. He has weaknesses that I know and I’m working on them with Abner.
“Abner is a fighter who over the last few years has given a lot of exciting brawls and great fights. Abner has tremendous skills though. When I met him years ago he had those skills but they weren’t being honed. People will think I taught him these skills, but I’m just bringing them back.
“Cuellar leaving me was the best thing that could have happened. If Cuellar hadn’t left, I wouldn’t have Mares. I got a great fighter and a great person. Things happen for a reason. We are going to do great things in boxing.”
STEPHEN ESPINOZA, Executive Vice President & General Manage, SHOWTIME Sports
 
“Right now there is some criticism of boxing, that the best aren’t fighting the best. All you have to do is look at this card. These are the right fights. The right weight at the right time.
“June 25 we have two marquee matchups. All four fighters ranked in the top 10 in their respective divisions taking on each other. Thurman and Porter, Cuellar and Mares, this is the best doubleheader of the entire year. I will put these two fights against any doubleheader that airs on television. That was our focus when we turned to CBS for this broadcast.
“The Thurman v. Porter and Cuellar v. Mares fights showcase fighters in the primes of their careers. What we have here are four fighters that are willing to take on the best, not make a spectacle of it.  The go about their business with great care for the craft and they simply come to fight.
“Featherweight is one of the hottest divisions in the sport. You know Abner Mares, he has one of the best resumes in boxing. If you look at the list of fights that he has had, there aren’t a lot of big names on it and now the New York City fans will get to see what he has to offer.
“The champion, Jesus Cuellar has quietly put together his own very strong resume. What we have here is a fascinating matchup.”
KEVIN ROONEY, Director of Communications, DiBella Entertainment
“We’re truly honored and excited to promote this fight. Lou DiBella said at the New York presser for the main event that this is ‘the best this sport has to offer.’ These are not only tremendous world title matchups, but two of the biggest and most exciting matchups that can be made in their respective divisions taking place at Barclays Center, the premier sporting venue on the East Coast.
“A testament to how big an event this is, is how the tickets are moving. We are hoping and anticipating that some fans will make it over from the West Coast.
“Robert Garcia trained Jesus Cuellar for much of his career and the two won a world title together. Robert Garcia is here today but with his new charge, Abner Mares. The two have their first fight together and they believe that this will be the best Abner Mares we have ever seen.
“For Cuellar it will be his second fight with Juan Manuel Ledesma, but the two have worked together since Cuellar was a kid. It should be exciting to see how it plays out on fight night.
“We know that Sergio Martinez will be there on fight night to cheer on his fellow countryman in Jesus Cuellar and we look forward to seeing an exciting fight.”
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Barclays Center’s BROOKLYN BOXING™ programming platform is presented by AARP. PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.
For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports and www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @PremierBoxing @KeithFThurmanJr, @ShowtimeShawnP, @AbnerMares, @LouDiBella, @BarclaysCenter and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports, www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment and www.facebook.com/BarclaysCenter.
boxing, CBS Boxing, Premier Boxing Champions, Showtime Boxing

Shawn Porter Spars With TV & Radio Personality Charlamagne Tha God In Special Event At Gleason’s Gym

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Click HERE for Photos From Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment/
Premier Boxing Champions
 
BROOKLYN (May 12, 2016) – Former welterweight world champion Shawn Porter hosted a special celebrity sparring session with TV and Radio personality Charlamagne Tha God at Gleason’s Gym on Wednesday afternoon in an event open to the media and public.
Porter has spent the week in Brooklyn as he prepares for his Saturday, June 25showdown with Keith Thurman in the main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on CBS, presented by Premier Boxing Champions from Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT with featherweight world champion Jesus Cuellar battling former three-division world champion Abner Mares.
Tickets for the June 25 event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, start at $49 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, www.barclayscenter.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.
Porter, along with his father and trainer, Ken, are training at the world famous Gleason’s Gym as they prepare for Shawn’s primetime battle in the county of Kings. Porter invited Barak Bess of Sirius XM, Rhett Butler of The Shadow League and Nestor Gibbs of Tha Boxing Voice to try their best in the ring against the former champion, leading up to the rounds with Charlamagne.
Here is what the participants had to say Wednesday:
SHAWN PORTER
“It was nice and relaxed in there. My main goal was to not get caught with anything flush and give people something to talk about. It was really fun. These guys gassed out quicker than I thought. They might have thought I was coming to knock them out.
“I hope these guys learned a little something and found out how much harder it is to do than to talk about.
“Charlamagne did well. He came in with some toughness and a bit of a game plan. He knew I was here to put on a show, but he competed.
“It’s easy on the outside, but it’s hard when you get inside this ring. To get them to feel that kind of excitement from this crowd, now they know. They were a little hyped up and in a world championship fight you have to learn how to hone that energy into something productive.
“I feel really good and I’m glad to be here. I’m happy we came out to Brooklyn. It’s the tail end of camp and I’m ready to fight. I can’t wait for June 25.”
CHARLAMAGNE THA GOD
Before the sparring:
 
“I expect Shawn to take it easy on me. Hopefully he doesn’t bruise me up too bad.
“This will not be an Apollo Creed-Ivan Drago situation. Shawn doesn’t have anything to prove against me. He’s ready to prove it June 25 against Keith Thurman, not against Charlamagne Tha God right now.
After the sparring:
 
“I watch boxing, so I respect the craft. I was in there for two rounds and I feel like I was running for two hours. This is no joke, respect boxers. If you see them in the street, don’t mess with them.
“He was faster than I thought he was. Hand speed, foot speed and he had power. He got me pretty good a couple times, I’m glad I had this gear on.
“Porter and Keith Thurman are two of my favorite young fighters. ‘One Time’ does hit hard, but if he doesn’t move, then Porter is going to be able to get on the inside and I think he can knock him out.
“I really like both guys, so I don’t know who is going to win. I’m not a gambling man, but if I had to pick, I put my money on Porter.”
KEN PORTER
“We’re fighting in Brooklyn and at Barclays Center and every time we’ve been there they’ve opened up their arms to us and been so welcoming. Shawn won his first world title here. So I thought, let’s go to Brooklyn and make it our home and become a part of what is going on here.
“Shawn is in excellent shape, so he doesn’t need to get in shape during camp. We didn’t have to consider that when we decided to come to Brooklyn.
“The people in Brooklyn have rolled out the red carpet for us. That’s why we’re here. We felt welcomed every time we came here to fight or to watch a show. I said let’s go home, let’s make Brooklyn home.”
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Barclays Center’s BROOKLYN BOXING™ programming platform is presented by AARP. PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.
For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports and www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @PremierBoxing @KeithFThurmanJr, @ShowtimeShawnP, @AbnerMares, @LouDiBella, @BarclaysCenter and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports, www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment and www.facebook.com/BarclaysCenter.