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boxing, Fox Sports 1, Premier Boxing Champions

MARIO BARRIOS TO MAKE 2016 DEBUT MARCH 15 PBC ON FOX

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Photo by Team Barrios
SAN ANTONIO, TX (March 7, 2016) – Undefeated super-featherweight sensation, Mario Barrios (14-0, 8 KOs), makes his 2016 debut on March 15, at the Robinson Rancheria Resort & Casino in Nice, CA.  Barrios, a San Antonio TX, native is scheduled to fight in a 10-round bout against an opponent TBA.  Barrios’ bout will be part of the televised portion of Premier Boxing Champions Toe-to-Toe Tuesdays PBC on FS1.  Tune in at 9PM ET Eastern Time / 6PM PT Pacific Time.
After a momentous 2015 where he went (7-0, 5 KOs), Mario Barrios is looking to continue his march toward a world title.  Standing 6’1, Barrios wants to fight for a championship before he out grows the super-featherweight division.
“Right now the goal is to win a world title at 130 pounds,” said Mario Barrios. “I’m still young enough that making weight is not a problem at the moment.  I believe with a few more fights, I’ll be ready to challenge any of the champions at super-featherweight.  First and foremost I must focus on March 15th and bring home a victory.”
This fight marks the third bout in a row where Barrios will be fighting in front of a nationally televised audience.  Mario is grateful for the opportunity to be fighting on FOX Sports once again.
“I love fighting on Toe-to-Toe Tuesdays on FOX Sports,” Barrios continued. “I’m very thankful that FOX is brining me back.  I’m always looking to impress those that are watching with an electrifying performance.  If I get my opponent hurt at any time during the fight, you know I’m going for the knockout.”
Tickets priced $20 (back), $30 (mid), $50 (ringside) can be purchased at the Robinson Rancheria Resort & Casino box office or by calling 1-800-809-3636.  Doors open at 5:00 PM. First fight starts at 5:15 PM.
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Lewkowicz Congratulates Oscar Escandon for Title-Winning Victory

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Knockout Over Robinson Castellanos Makes Escandon the Second Sampson Boxing World Champion in Two Weeks
 
Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing wishes to congratulate his fighter, Oscar Escandon, for his title-winning victory on Saturday night in at the DC Armory in Washington, DC.
Escandon (25-2, 17 KOs), from , stepped up a weight class and picked up the interim WBC World Featherweight Championship with a KO 7 over Mexico’s Robinson Castellanos. A powerful uppercut from Escandon ended matters at the 2:59 mark.
With the victory, Escandon became the second Sampson Boxing fighter to win a world championship in the last two weeks. Mexico’s Hugo Ruiz won the WBC World Super Bantamweight title with a KO 1 over Julio Ceja.
“I did this for my country of Colombia,” said Escandon. “I am proud to be fighting for them and it was their support that helped carry me though this tough fight.”
“First of all, my warmest congratulations to Oscar Escandon and his team, Ruben Guerrero and family,” said Lewkowicz. “Oscar has made his entire country of Colombia proud by winning his second world championship for them.”
Escandon also held the WBA World Super Bantamweight Title in 2014.

“We will let Oscar enjoy his new belt for a little bit, but will soon go to work preparing him to meet the winner of the fight between full WBC Champion Gary Russell Jr. and Ireland’s Patrick Hyland on April 16. We would love for that fight to be in New York City, in front of the huge Colombian community.”
boxing, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

JULIAN WILLIAMS KNOCKS OUT MARCELLO MATANO,  CALLS OUT WORLD CHAMPION JERMALL CHARLO SATURDAY NIGHT ON SHOWTIME®

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Avantil Khurtsidze Shocks Previously Unbeaten Antoine Douglas,
Tony Harrison Dominates Fernando Guerrero In Action-Packed Tripleheader
 
Catch The SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION Replay
This Monday at 10 p.m. ET/PT On SHO EXTREME®
 
Click HERE For Photos From Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME
BETHLEHEM, PA. (March 6, 2016) – Julian Williams secured the IBF’s No. 1 position at 154 pounds and called out Junior Middleweight World Champion Jermall Charlo after an impressive seventh-round TKO of Italian Marcello Matano Saturday on SHOWTIME from Sands Bethlehem Events Center in Bethlehem, Pa.  VIDEO OF WILLIAMS CALLING OUT CHARLO:http://s.sho.com/1UJo5bp
The undefeated Philadelphia native put on a clinic, breaking down his opponent from the opening bell until referee Gary Rosato stepped in to protect a defenseless Matano (16-2, 5 KOs) at 2:24 of the seventh.  Williams (23-0-1, 14 KOs) utilized a steady diet of combos, jabs and body shots in the middle rounds to weaken Matano and set up the big shots to close the show in the seventh.  VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: http://s.sho.com/1QzbBBb
Williams landed 59 percent of his power shots, including a staggering 76 percent in the deciding seventh.
“Maybe people will think they saw a chink in the armor tonight,” Williams said.  “Maybe guys will come out from under the rock and get some of this West Philly work.
“Jermall has been watching my performances.  Him and his brother know exactly who I am.  He needs to fight or vacate now.  He needs to step up, but he’s already laying his groundwork and making excuses.
“Step up and fight me.  It’s two of the best junior middleweights in the world.  It’s about greatness.  I want to be great.  All of you turkeys at 154 pounds, let’s fight.”
After the fight, Matano took issue with the stoppage.
“He was pretty fast with his jab, but I felt like I was just getting into the fight,” Matano said.  “I felt the punch, but I felt like I could have kept going. I have a warrior heart and I never want to quit.
“I’m going to go back to Italy and take a little rest, then I’ll be right back in the gym.  It was a wonderful experience coming here to America. I got to fight a top-echelon fighter and I feel like I belong.”
Avtandil Khurtsidze, a human brick wall barreling forward, upset previously unbeaten middleweight contender Antoine Douglas with a thoroughly dominating 10th-round TKO.  VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS:http://s.sho.com/21er63g
The 35-year-old “mini-Mike Tyson” plowed forward from the opening bell until the TKO at 0:33 of the 10th.  The 6-foot Douglas had no answer for his 5-foot-4 opponent, a Brooklyn-based native of Georgia who is looking to become the first world champion from the former Soviet nation.
Khurtsidze (32-2-2, 21 KOs) hurt Douglas (19-1-1, 13 KOs) with a big left in the opening seconds of the third round, sending the 23-year-old face forward through the ropes.  Somehow, Douglas recovered from the first knockdown of his career and fought himself back into the fight.  The Washington, D.C., native rallied to win the fourth and the fifth rounds, and the all-action sixth could have gone either way.
Khurtsidze opened the seventh with a monstrous one-punch left to floor Douglas, who again somehow survived the round on failing legs as Khurtsidze threw over 100 total punches.  Khurtsidze, who showed unbelievable stamina to push the pressure throughout, started the 10th with a relentless attack, forcing referee Benjy Esteves to stop the fight at 0:33 of the with Douglas defenseless against the ropes.
“I knew he was going to get tired,” said Khurtsidze, who took the fight on less than three weeks notice.  “I felt like I was going to catch him. He’s a good fighter, but he’s not strong.
“I knew he was going to be hungry. But I also knew that I was going to beat him.  It was short notice but I did everything I could in the time we had. I stayed in the gym and stayed sharp.
“Whoever they put in front me, I’m ready for them. I love fighting. I’ll fight anybody.”
Douglas had entered the fight as a fast-rising 160-pounder on the cusp of a title shot.
“I feel OK,” Douglas told SHOWTME Sports analyst Steve Farhood after the fight.  “He definitely dictated.  He definitely had a better day today.  It’s not discouraging, we just weren’t able to execute.  Naturally, I’m crushed.  It’s back to the drawing board.”
In the opening bout of the telecast, middleweight contender Tony Harrison looked impressive in a sixth round TKO over former world title challenger Fernando Guerrero.
Harrison (23-1, 19 KOs) was the aggressor from the outset, jabbing at range to set up his favorite weapon – a powerful right.  The Detroit native floored Guerrero with a big right with 15 seconds to go in the second round.  The southpaw got up, but looked hurt and was saved by the bell.
Guerrero (28-4, 20 KOs) had his moments in the fourth and fifth rounds after some heedful advice from his corner, but he couldn’t get inside to escape Harrison’s powerful right. It was a clean left hook midway through the sixth that ultimately finished Guerrero.  After Harrison dropped Guerrero with the left, the Dominican Republic native beat the count but had no legs and went back to the canvas after four more consecutive shots from Harrison, forcing referee Gary Rosato to stop the bout at 1:56 of the sixth.
“I threw punches back and I finished the rounds stronger than him,” said Harrison, who landed 57 percent of his power shots.  “I dominated the fight.  My dad kept telling me to put the hook behind the right hand and if I had listened to him better I could have gotten the knockout much quicker.
“I was backing him up.  My game plan was to take advantage of the fact that southpaws don’t fight well going backwards.  I tried to just keep putting him back and discouraging him. I told everyone I was taking the fight to him. What’s not to like about me? I’m exciting.
“I want big fights, I want to go back to Detroit and I want the Willie Nelson rematch.”
Said Guerrero: “I wasn’t on today.  He wasn’t faster than me, stronger than me or more skilled. I just locked up. I wasn’t listening to my corner, I didn’t do anything tonight.
“It just happens. Sometimes you have a bad day. Today was as bad as I could ever imagine.
“We’ll go back to the drawing board.  I didn’t do what I was supposed to do. We trained so hard. He wasn’t as fast or strong as we thought he’d be. Today was a bad day for me to have a bad day.”
# # #
For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports and www.sandseventcenter.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @JRockBoxing, @Action_Douglas,  @IAmBoxing, @FernandoDomini, @TheSBEC and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports
boxing, Showtime Boxing

JULIAN WILLIAMS OPENS UP IN ADVANCE OF HIS SATURDAY, MARCH 5 FIGHT AGAINST MARCELLO MATANO LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

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“Each fight, I just want to be better than the last fight … I want to go down as the best junior middleweight to ever lace up a pair of gloves.”

 

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I AM A FIGHTER: JULIAN WILLIAMS

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Photo Credit: Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME

 

From a single parent household in West Philadelphia, life has always been tough for Julian Williams. At a young age, he was constantly getting into fights with his brothers and at school, until he set foot in the gym at age 12 and unveiled his love for boxing. Williams has set his goals high and is determined to set records and break barriers while giving his all on each on of his fights.

 

“Each fight, I just want to be better than the last fight and I’m on the cusp of being a contender and getting the title shot. When I win the title, I want to break the title defense record which is held by Terry Norris. I want to go down as the best junior middleweight to ever lace up a pair of gloves.”

 

Check out this I AM A FIGHTER feature on Julian Williams, the undefeated super welterweight who is up against Marcello Matano in an IBF Super Welterweight Eliminator bout tomorrow night in the main event of SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION, live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

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Mad Integrity Fight Sports returns with “Bombs Away 5” April 2!

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April 2 Fight Poster.jpg

Tampa, FL (March 3, 2016) – Joey Orduna’s Mad Integrity Fight Sports returns to the beautiful Hilton Bayfront Hotel in St. Petersburg, FL for “Bombs Away 5: Turf Wars” Saturday, April 2.

 

Tickets from $35 are on sale now by calling 813-507-5110.

 

Returning to St. Pete’s for the first time in nearly three years, Mad Integrity Fight Sports ran two highly successful cards at the Hilton Bayfront which featured future TV fighters Amos Cowart and Clarence Booth.

 

Headlining the card is an eight round Sunshine State showdown between popular welterweight Ali Tareh of Tampa and Jacksonville’s Juan Aguirre. Tareh, who has fought all but three of his professional bouts in Florida, has a 13-11-5 ledger with 5 wins by knockout. The owner of Fight Fitness Center in nearby Pinellas Park, Tareh has won four of his last six bouts but is coming off a decision loss to Javier Garcia last July. Originally from Guatemala, Aguirre has a reputation for his fearlessness and incredible durability. In his most recent fight, Aguirre extended unbeaten prospect Armando Alvarez the distance while making him work from bell to bell.

 

Talented featherweight Jose “Lil Pacquiao” Resendez, 4-0 (2 KO’s), of Brandon, FL returns to the ring against crafty Cuban Raul Chirino, 7-1 (3 KO’s), in the highly-anticipated co-feature. A mirror image of boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, Resendez is fighting for the first time since December 2014. The Resindez-Chirino bout is scheduled for six rounds and expected to steal the show.

 

Undefeated Armando “The Gentleman” Alvarez, 8-0 (4 KO’s), will trek north from Miami, FL to battle Tampa’s Lee “Holliwood” Dawson a six round welterweight contest. Alvarez is a talented boxer-puncher with a loyal fan base that follows him wherever he fights while Dawson will look to make it five straight without a defeat.

 

In four round bouts, hard-hitting St. Petersburg based Ukrainian Victor Kulakovski (4-2) meets fellow Floridian Paulie Simpson (2-1) of Tampa in the junior middleweight division, Tampa’s Rafael Rivera (1-1) squares off against New Port Richey, FL’s Michael Guillen (1-0) in a lightweight matchup and Pensacola, FL’s Beden Laurent (2-3) challenges Miami’s Serge Cadeus (1-1) at super middleweight.

 

In other action, Tampa’s Christina Swanson-Campfort (3-1), Leanthony Fleming (1-1) of Lakeland, St. Petersburg’s Raynard Hill (5-10), New Smyrna Beach’s, “King” Kenmon Evans (2-0), Ruskin’s Martin Lagunas (2-0), and Justin Pauldo (6-1) of Orlando will all appear in separate bouts.

 

“We’re excited to be back in St. Petersburg and I’d like to thank the staff at the Bayfront for making this a reality, said Joey Orduna. “In return, we’re providing them with an outstanding local-themed fight card that everybody will definitely enjoy. I’m expecting another great crowd with fans from all across the Sunshine State come April 2nd.”

 

For more information and updates, please visit Facebook.com/Madintegrityfightsports.

 

boxing, mixed martial arts, MMA, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

JULIAN WILLIAMS VS. MARCELLO MATANO FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & PHOTOS

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Click HERE For Photos From Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME
 
BETHLEHEM, PA. (March 3, 2016) – Undefeated top contender Julian “J-Rock” Williams and Italy’sMarcello Matano went face-to-face for the first time Thursday at the final press conference before they meet with the IBF’s No. 1 spot at 154-pounds on the line this Saturday, March 5 live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT) from Sands Bethlehem Events Center in Bethlehem, Pa.
Saturday’s SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION® tripleheader features middleweight matchups between rising contender Antoine Douglas and Avtandil Khurtsidze and exciting Detroit prospect Tony Harrison against former title challenger Fernando Guerrero.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions, are priced at $100, $75 and $50, not including applicable service charges and taxes and are on sale now. Tickets are available HEREat www.ticketmaster.com. To charge by phone call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.
Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday:
JULIAN WILLIAMS
“I want to thank Matano and his team for coming all the way over here. We’ve had a difficult time getting opponents for different reasons, but I’m excited to headline this stacked card.
“When I win this fight I’ll be able to accomplish my dream of being a world champion. It’s one step closer.
“I’m going to attack the head and body as much as I can. I’ve got enough film on him to see what he’s got. He’s pretty solid. He got better each time out. But those guys in Italy don’t have the skills that I have. I think he’s going to bring it for as long as he can handle it.
“He’s an awkward fighter. He’s definitely a boxer and he can be a little skittish in the ring. I know I’ve fought the better competition and I’ve trained my hardest for this.
“I’m ready to make a statement. I’m not worried about a knockout. However the win comes, it’s great. I’m just looking to win and beat him down.
“I’m expecting a good Philadelphia crowd to be out here supporting me. Ninety percent of my career I’ve been on the West Coast and other places. But now fighting in front of my hometown fans, there’s nothing better. It’s perfect.”
MARCELLO MATANO
“I feel very good. I’ve been here since Friday so I have gotten used to the time zone difference and I’m ready to fight. My American experience is just starting and I’m looking forward to it.
“It’s been a hard two months of training for this fight. This is by far the most important fight of my career so I’ve trained even harder than I usually do.
“I know that Julian Williams is a top-notch athlete and that he is coming to give his best, just like I am. It’s going to be an exciting fight because we both want to get to the top.
“I can adapt myself to any opponent. I can be a boxer or I can be a brawler. But in my heart, I am a warrior and I will come forward all fight. I am coming to leave that ring victorious.
“This is a dream come true to come here to the United States. I’ve always worked hard and it’s gotten me here. I will put all of my heart into the ring on Saturday night.”
ANTOINE DOUGLAS
“You can always look forward to an action-packed fight when I step into the ring. I have an admirable opponent who I know is coming to fight.
“I’ve grown into this role and into who I am. If you asked me earlier in my career, I would have never thought I’d be here. This is great and it comes from all the hard work I’ve put in over the years.
“You will see my growth Saturday night in the ring. I plan on being victorious. The work I put in won’t let me be any less than that. I’m looking forward to the action.
“I have a very strong opponent and I think it will make for a more exciting fight than Sam Soliman.
“I just always have to be prepared for whatever is thrown at me.  This is boxing – there are no guarantees.  We just have to be prepared for everything and do our best.
“The styles of Soliman and Khurtsidze are completely different, but we always base our offense and defense off a fighting at range and working the jab.  I’m not going in blind – I’ve faced opponents who come forward.  We’ll be ready for him and ready to make the adjustments in the ring.
“A win on Saturday will definitely put me in a position for a title shot.  We just take it day-by-day.  It’s not about looking at future opponents. We take each step successfully and see where it puts us.”
AVTANDIL KHURTSIDZE
“I’m very happy to be here and I’m grateful for the opportunity. I’m fighting a very strong fighter. Once I step into the ring I’m expecting a good challenge and I can’t wait for Saturday night.
“Everything in training went well. We’ve trained really hard and we’re ready for Saturday night.
“Douglas is a good fighter. He’s a good boxer and he has a good left hook. But none of that means anything until you get in the ring.
“Once I step into the ring, I will bring 100 percent. I am not going to stop swinging until Douglas goes down.”
FERNANDO GUERRERO
“We’re ready to fight. We had a great training camp and there’s not too much to say. It’s warrior time.
“I’ve been through my ups and downs, but I’m still here and I’m not going anywhere. This is for my whole nation, everyone in the Dominican Republic who is watching. You have to step in that ring for something.
“This isn’t a game. This is the only sport that you cannot play. I’m going to make this one of those fights that will be one of the best of the year. It will either be the best knockout or the best fight of the year. This is going to be memorable.
“This is the kind of opponent who will bring out the best of me. Everybody has to watch out for me. I’m coming to make a statement on Saturday.”
# # #
For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports and www.sandseventcenter.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @JRockBoxing, @Action_Douglas,  @IAmBoxing, @FernandoDomini, @TheSBEC and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports
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Chuy Gutierrez & Leon Spinks III: You will know my name!

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 Judah vs. Torres headlines “Knockout Night at the D”
 Mar. 12 live on CBS Sports Network from DLVEC in Las Vegas 
LAS VEGAS (March 3, 2016) – Rising star lightweight star Chuy “El Huracan” Gutierrez(14-0-1, 4 KOs) and his March 12th opponent, Leon “The Third Generation” Spinks III(11-3-1, 7 KOs), are both looking to make their own mark in their 8-round “Knockout Night at the D” co-feature.  Gutierrez is seeking to expand his marquee on a national level, while Spinks attempts to  shine on his own terms despite his spotlight catching last name.
Five-time, two division world champion Zab “Super” Judah (42-9, 29 KOs) takes onJosh “Pitbull” Torres (15-4-2, 7 KOs), in the 10-round main event of the inaugural show of the new monthly pro boxing series, “Knockout Night at the D”, airing (8 p.m. PT / 11 p.m. ET) live on CBS Sports Network from the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center (DLVEC).
Presented by the D Las Vegas and promoted Englebrecht Promotions, the “Knockout Night at the D” series’ inaugural event Mar. 12 will take place inside the DLVEC’s 20,000-square-foot tent, located in the heart of the downtown Las Vegas casino district, one block away from the world famous Fremont Street (200 S. 3rd St.).
The 27-year-old Gutierrez (14-0-1, 4 KOs), fighting out of Las Vegas, is ready to make a name for himself and Mar. 12th is scheduled to be his coming out party on a national stage.  He’s rapidly become a fan favorite in Las Vegas because of his exciting, aggressive style of fighting. Chuy’s ready to spread his wings, now being showcased fighting on national television, and expand his growing fan-base.
Born in the fertile boxing town of Sinaloa, Mexico, which produced Hall of Famer Julio Cesar Chavez, Sr., among many others, Gutierrez is making up for lost time.  He was a baseball prospect who didn’t box until he was 21. “I played sports in high school, baseball was my first love, and I dreamed of becoming a big leaguer,” Gutierrez said.  “Boxing found me.  I was attending college at Southern Nevada and working, but the first day I walked into Johnny Tocco’s gym, I fell in love with boxing.  I’ve watched so many greats train there and I learned a lot from them.”
“I have a lot of respect for Spinks, but I’m just fighting the man, not his family.  His grandfather was world champion, but I’m not fighting his grandfather.  I’m excited to be fighting him on CBS Sports Network.”
Spinks (11-3-1, 7 KOs), who fights out of Huntington Beach, CA, is not only the grandson of former world heavyweight champion and 1976 Olympic gold medalist, “Neon” Leon Spinks, his great uncle is world light heavyweight and heavyweight champion, in addition to being a 1976 Olympic gold medalist, Michael Spinks.  And young Leon, who turned 28 this past Valentine’s Day, is also the nephew of former 2-division world champion Cory Spinks.
His familiar last name in boxing has been a blessing, albeit one that has also put a lot of pressure on Leon.  “Things have always been that way (pressure) because I’m named after my grandfather, ‘Pops,'” Leon III explained.  “From the beginning of my pro career, I was put in tough fights because of my name, just tough fights…real wars.
“I got to 8-0 but that hurt me because I couldn’t get good fights. But I’ve always really been my own man.   This is a very, very, very big event for me, my family will be in the house supporting me.”
All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Limited tickets, priced at $65.00 ringside and $20.00 seated general admission, remain on sale at www.Ticketmaster.com or www.DLVEC.com. Suites are $1000.00, up to 10 guests, and includes a beverage package.  Taxes and fees apply to all sold tickets.
Doors open at 5:00 p.m. PT with the opening bout scheduled at 6:00 p.m. PT.
The “Knockout Night at the D” series was developed in partnership with DLVEC and Neon Star Media.
CBS Sports Network is available across the country through local cable, video and telco providers and via satellite on DirecTV Channel 221 and Dish Network Channel 158. For more information, including a full programming schedule and how to get CBS Sports Network, go to www.cbssportsnetwork.com.
TITLE Boxing is the official apparel and gloves partner for the “Knockout Night at the D” series.
 
INFORMATION
Twitter: @thedlasvegas, @dlvec, @DerekJStevens
Instagram: @dlvec, @thedlasvegas
Follow these fighters on Twitter: @SuperJudah, @PitbullTorres, @ElHuracan88, @LeonSpinksIII.
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Ricky Hatton: “Browne winning the Heavyweight title would be huge for my company”

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Undefeated Lucas Browne to Collide with Ruslan Chagaev for the WBA World Heavyweight Title LIVE This Saturday on AWE at 2 PM ET
 

San Diego, CA – March 3, 2016 – This Saturday afternoon, March 5th, undefeated and number-two ranked WBA heavyweight contender Lucas “Big Daddy” Browne(23-0-0) will battle defending WBA World Heavyweight champ Ruslan Chagaev (34-2-1) for his belt. The bout will be broadcast LIVE in the United States on AWE – A Wealth of Entertainment.
The action begins live at 2 PM ET / 11 AM PT.
Browne is promoted by former two-division world champion and British Idol, Ricky Hatton and the Manchester great has a lot on the line this Saturday if Browne can come through with the victory.
“It would be massive for my company, very significant,”said Hatton.  “Lucas would be my first world champion as a promoter, and it’s fantastic that it would be a Heavyweight title.  I was a two-time world champion as a fighter.  I have trained a world champion, so I don’t know many people who have done all three as a trainer, fighter and a promoter. “
To have Browne in this position, the fighter turned promoter, is thrilled for his fighter, being that Browne was not sought after in his early career.
“I am very happy for Lucas.  He came up the hard way.  He was not an Olympian.  In fact, it was just a few years ago, that he was working doors at the night clubs and he has put in the hard work and this is a big night for me and my company.”
Despite the fight being in enemy territory, “The Hitman”, feels his fighter is in good hands as Browne is being trained by former super middleweight world champion and British great, Nigel Benn.
“He has a great team behind him.  An excellent trainer.  It is going to be a tough job, but I firmly believe that he will win the fight.  It will be difficult as Chagaev was a big amateur and now a world champion.  Lucas who has always been known as a puncher is moving a lot better on his feet.  Very fluid.  Lucas has also added speed and has had great preparation.”
Being in enemy territory, Hatton knows that the fight may come down to the judges, and he believes that Browne will get a fair shake.
“I would like to think that Lucas will not need a knockout to win, but judges can be swayed by the hometown fans, but this being a world title fight, I expect world class judges.  That being said, Lucas should not leave it to chance.”
With a Browne win, there is a chance a good portion heavyweight division would run through the United Kingdom as Unified  champion Tyson Fury and potentially Anthony Joshua (who fights IBF champion Charles Martin on April 9) would hold most of the hardware in boxing’s glamour division.
“I thought about that.  I get along well with Eddie Hearn, who has Joshua.  I get a long great with my former promoter Frank Warren and you can also throw David Haye in there who is back.  I can’t see any problems making fights with Joshua or Fury and we would have some massive heavyweights fights here.  Lucas has fought five times here and has a good fan base.”
“The only thing that I am gutted about on Saturday is that I can’t be there with Lucas when he wins as I train a lot of young fighters and I have four of them fighting on Saturday and they need me in London with them, but Saturday will be a great day for my company.”
There will be a three fight undercard beginning at 2 PM.
In a 10-round Heavyweight bout, Edmund Gerber (25-2, 16 KO’s) of Schwerin, Germany will fight Brian Minto (41-10, 26 KO’s) of Butler, PA.
In a 10-round bout for the IBO International Welterweight title, Vishkahn Murzabekov (12-0, 6 KO’s) of Russia takes on former world title challenger Ali Funeka (37-5-3, 30 KO’s) of South Africa.
Tyrone Spong (2-0, 2 KO’s) of Miami, Florida battles David Gogishvilli (12-0, 8 Ko’s) of Gori, Georgia in a 6-round Cruiserweight bout.
Boxing fans can enjoy this amazing card on AWE available on AT&T U-Verse, ch 147 and 1147 in HD, Verizon FiOS TV, ch 169 and 669 in HD, CenturyLink PRISM TV ch. 144 and 1144 in HD, and numerous regional cable providers across the nation. Please check www.awetv.com for boxing updates.
boxing, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

GH3 Promotions Antoine Douglas ready for big performance on Saturday night

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Nutley, NJ (March 3, 2016) – This Saturday night at the Sands Bethlehem Events Center, undefeated Middleweight Antoine Douglas (19-0-1, 13 KO’s) will face the toughest test of his career when he takes on rugged Avtandil Khurtsidze in the co-feature bout of a SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION®.
This fight is the continuing process of Douglas’ promoter GH3 Promotions, which has groomed the Washington, D.C. native from his first professional bout.
Douglas set the model for what GH3 Promotions is all about and that is grass roots developing.
“I am so proud of Antoine and the job he has done,”said GH3 Promotions CEO Vito Mielnicki.  “When I started this company, I wanted to sign very good fighters with solid amateur backgrounds.  Antoine was the someone I coveted and I saw this vision for him and now the fight on Saturday is the perfect next step for him.  When he wins on Saturday and I feel he will be ready for a big opportunity.”
Mielnicki continued, “That’s the blueprint.  Develop fighters on my local shows.  Fighters like Antoine and now Adam Lopez (15-0, 7 KO’s) graduated to ShoBox main event status and then to the next level.  We had John Thompson (17-2, 6 KO’s fight for a world title, We have high aspirations for O’Shaquie Foster (10-1, 7 KO’s), Jerry Odom (13-2-1, 12 KO’s) Ronald Ellis (12-0-1, 10 KO’s) , Keenan Smith (9-0, 3 KO’s) and Hector Frometa (2-0).”
Lopez, stayed undefeated by winning a comfortable unanimous decision over previously  Mario Munoz on February 19th in Atlantic City that headlined a ShoBox: The New Generation card..
Odom and Ellis fought to a spirited draw in a Super Middleweight bout.  On another televised bout, Foster was dominant in stopping Lavisas Williams.  On the non-televised card, Hector Frometa went to 2-0 with a unanimous decision victory.
“We feel that Lopez needs another fight or two against good opposition to get to where Antoine is now.  Foster showed that he has a chance to be a special fighter and we love the potential of Frometa.”
“Foster is now trained by Dennis Porter & Ronald Sims, who also handle Antoine and it was evident in their first fight together the difference that they have already made on him.”
Douglas is currently ranked number-six by the WBA, number-eleven by the IBF and number-three by the WBO, while Lopez is ranked number-seven by the WBA.
“This is all a product of moving our guys fast and right and by not babying them on the way up.”
GH3 Promotions features undefeated Middleweight Antoine Douglas, Super Middleweight’s Jerry Odom & Ronald Ellis, undefeated Super Bantamweight Adam Lopez as well as Boxcino 2015 Jr. Middleweight Champion John Thompson, Jr., undefeated Welterweight’s Hector Frometa, Jerrell Harris & Keenan Smith, , Jr. Lightweight O’Shaquie Foster & Super Middleweight Andrew Hernandez to the GH3 Promotions stable.
boxing, Roc Nation

John David Jackson’s Star Pupil Luis “Cuba”Arias Ready for His First Headlining Bout

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Undefeated Middleweight headlines this Saturdaynight in Columbus, Ohio.
For Immediate Release
NEW YORK, NY (March 3, 2016)–This Saturday night in Columbus, Ohio,
Victory Sports & Entertainment is pleased to announce that undefeated middleweight prospect, Luis “Cuba” Arias will make the first in what we hope, are many headlining appearances when he takes on power punching Gilberto Santos of Brazil in a bout scheduled for ten rounds under the direction of world class trainer, John David Jackson.

Arias of Milwaukee, Wisconsin has a perfect record of 13-0 with six knockouts.

“Camp has been excellent. Things have been coming together nicely and on time. I get better and stronger every camp,” Said Arias.  “I am not overlooking Santos as he’s a strong fighter who’s coming to win but this is my time and I want to make a statement in my first headliner.”

“Training with John David Jackson has been a great. Having someone with his level of experience has helped me develop as a fighter. He has helped take my game to another level. Him and Derik Santos have been a great fit for me. I feel I have the best training team in boxing.”

The 25 year-old came into the pro ranks with high aspirations after a stellar amateur career that saw him win two US National Championships and a National PAL title, in addition to numerous medals on the international level.
In Jackson, he has a trainer who has trained many world champions and is currently one of the hot cornermen in boxing due to his work with current Light Heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev.

“Luis has had a great camp he’s strong and on weight. He’s ready for his first headlining bout and wants to showcase his talent and show people that he’s the real deal,”said Jackson of his prized pupil,” said Jackson.

“For this camp we are stressing the body attack. Luis is a good boxer with excellent skills and power. We are trying to develop his all-around game so we are focusing more on working the body for this fight.”

Jackson does not feel Cuba Arias is just any boxer. He sees major things in the future for him.
“Luis has the potential to become a World Champion. He was a tremendous amateur, he’s tough, determined with excellent power and great all around skills. 2016 should be his breakout year. He has the skills and needs to be showcased on a bigger stage. It’s time to take the wraps off and let him prove himself. He can fight, he gets better each time out, he wants to test himself in bigger fights and is ready for the challenge.”

“After this fight, I want a real test for Luis, a good name fighter where he can be challenged and have to work. I know he can be great and will rise to the occasion so I just want him to get the opportunity to showcase his skills and show everyone what a great fighter he is.”
Arias, who is promoted by Roc Nation Sports and managed my Victory Sports & Entertainment, now has the complete team in place with the addition of the world class trainer.
Said Victory Sports & Entertainment’s Rick Torres, “2016 is the year where Cuba has to step up the level of competition and show everyone how great he is. This is his first headlining bout which is a big deal for him and we know Santos is a dangerous opponent with real punching power so this should be a good test for Cuba.  After this fight we are looking forward to Roc Nation putting him on higher profile fights, TV fights where the world can see what we already know – that he’s one of the best young fighters in the world and a future Champion. With the right development Cuba can become a star attraction in the sport and we know Roc Nation can make this happen. We just want the opportunity and Cuba will handle the rest.”

Victory Sports & Entertainment is an athlete management company with offices in New York and Las Vegas. Founded by noted sports attorney Rick Torres and boxing trainer Michael Leanardi, Victory has steadily built an impressive stable of young prospects that it is grooming for future stardom. Victory Sports’ website is www.victorysportsent.com.