Category Archives: Premier Boxing Champions

CALEB “SWEET HANDS” PLANT RETURNS TO THE RING SATURDAY AUG 15 IN QUEBEC

Photo By Team Plant

 

 

NASHVILLE, TN (August 4, 2015) – Undefeated super-middleweight prospect, Caleb “Sweet-Hands” Plant (8-0, 7 KOs), will be making his way back to the ring next Saturday August, 15, 2015on the PBC on NBC event, headlined by Lucian Bute (31-2, 24 KOs) vs. Andrea Di Luisa (17-2, 13 KOs).  The fight takes place at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec.  Plant, who’s scheduled to fight in a 6-round bout, will face an opponent TBA.

 

Managed by Al Haymon, Plant feels his career is taking off.  Plant’s fight will serve as the swing bout for the PBC broadcast.  Fighting in Canada for the first time, Plant wants to make a sound statement.

 

“I’m very satisfied with everything happening in my career,” said Caleb Plant, Nashville Tennessee’s rising star. “This will be my fourth bout of the year and I’m very happy to be staying busy.  Fighting for Al Haymon and the PBC is a dream come true for my team and me.  This will be my first time fighting in Canada so I want to give the fans a great night of action while making a statement.”

 

Known for having heavy hands, Caleb Plant is looking to extend on his 6-fight knockout streak, four of which came by first round KO.

 

“I never go into a fight looking for the knockout but I’ve been hurting my opponents in the early rounds,” continued Caleb Plant. “If I see my opponent is hurt, then I go for the knockout.  I love to pound the body in those situations.  I know with a lot of hard work I can become a world champion.  I’m going to take it one fight at a time and give the fans exciting fights.  On August 15th, I’ll be letting my hands fly!”

ADDITIONAL TICKETS RELEASED AT STAPLES CENTER FOR LEO SANTA CRUZ VS. ABNER MARES TO MEET MASSIVE DEMAND FOR HIGHLY ANTICIPATED SHOWDOWN TAKING PLACE SATURDAY, AUGUST 29 IN LOS ANGELES

 Additional Tickets Go On Sale Today at 4:00 p.m. PT

 

LOS ANGELES (August 4, 2015) – Due to unprecedented ticket demand, additional sections will be opened up at STAPLES Center for the highly anticipated featherweight clash between Leo “El Terremoto” Santa Cruz (30-0-1, 17 KOs) and Abner Mares(29-1-1, 15 KOs) taking place on Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN Saturday, August 29 in Los Angeles.

 

Additional seats will be available today at 4:00 p.m. PT. Tickets for the event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are priced at $25, $50, $75, $150 and $300, not including applicable fees and service charges, and are on sale at AXS.com or by phone at 888-929-7849 or at STAPLES Center.

The 12-round battle will pit the undefeated two-division world champion Santa Cruz against the former three-division world champion Mares. Both fighters currently live and train out of Los Angeles and will be looking to take home local bragging rights on August 29.

 

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.staplescenter.comand www.TGBPromotions.com. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @LeoSantaCruz2 @AbnerMares, @ESPNBoxing, @STAPLESCenter, @TGBPromotions and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/STAPLESCenter andwww.facebook.com/ESPN. Follow the conversation using #PBConESPN.

Antonio Tarver looking through Steve Cunningham on historic run

 

 

Friday night, Aug. 14 in Atlantic City, PBC on Spike TV

 

 

MIAMI (August 4, 2015) – Five-time world champion Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver(31-6, 22 KOs) will be looking through – not past – former two-time IBF championSteve “USS” Cunningham (28-7, 13 KOs) on Friday night, Aug. 14, in their 12-round heavyweight showdown at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

 

WBA #9 Tarver vs. IBF #6/WBC #14 Cunningham is the main event on a Premier Boxing Champions series show airing live on Spike TV, the same network Tarver serves as its boxing color commentator.

 

Tarver is on a mission to become the oldest heavyweight champion of the world in boxing history. The 46-year-old southpaw realizes he has to get past Cunningham in order to get a world title shot against Wladimir Klitschko or Deontay Wilder.

 

“I respect Steve Cunningham,” Tarver explained. “I’m not looking past him, I’m looking through him. If I have to go through Wilder to get Klitschko, so be it. I’m getting that world heavyweight title and when I defeat Klitschko it’ll be the biggest story in sports. But I know that I won’t get my title shot unless I get by Cunningham.

 

The ‘Magic Man’ is bringing 1000 tricks in his bag but it’s only going to take one to take him out.  I’ve been working hard in training camp and he hasn’t been focused.Steve is a solid durable opponent who has proven himself in the heavyweight division, coming off a close eliminator that many thought he won. I have the test of fighting a guy who you can’t make quit, so you have to knock him out because he’s proven his heart and guts. Steve’s also motivated because he knows what beating me can do for his career.

 

At 46 and a grandfather-to-be next month, Tarver realizes that he may not be the same fighter he was during a nine-fight stretch between 2002-2006, in which he was one of the world’s top pound-for-pound fighters, shocking Roy Jones, Jr.(see picture to the right) in two of three fights, splitting a pair with Glen Johnson, defeatingMontell Griffin, Eric Harding and Reggie Johnson, and losing to Bernard Hopkins. Tarver, however, feels that his aforementioned experiences and overcoming so many struggles will be enough to take him back to the top of the boxing mountain.

 

I learned the fundamentals of boxing and that’s why I’m still here at 46,” Tarver noted.  “My whole game is built on deception because, by the looks of it, I’m not supposed to be as fast, as quick and strong, as tough, or hit as hard as I do. So, that makes it hard to prepare for the fighter like me.  I am sure Cunningham may have prepared for a physical war but has he prepare for the mental part of our fight? He’ll be fighting in a ring full of mine fields, one wrong step and, Kaboom!”

Tarver and his head trainer, Orlando Cuellar, have been together a full year for what amounts to three training camps considering Tarver’s originally scheduled fight against Jonathan Banks was postponed several months due to Tarver’s broken hand, followed by his impressive seventh-round stoppage of Banks last December in his last fight.

 

“We know each other much better now in terms of how much to push him in camp and what to expect from each other,” Cuellar commented. “He may be 46 but he’s never been beat up. His ring savvy is off the charts and he’s knowledgeable. Antonio’s a sharp puncher and vicious competitor. He does exactly what I ask of him in the gym. I’ve come to realize that he doesn’t need 160-200 rounds of sparring for a fight. He remembers everything from his fights against so many great fighters, storing information in his mind to use in his fight. He outthinks his opponent. I watched him set things up and put it all together. Antonio is a special fighter, super intelligent, a breeze to work with and most capable in the ring. I’m blessed to be working with him.

 

“Cunningham is going to come in and apply pressure, but he’s never fought anybody as elusive and intelligent as Antonio, who can catch or slip, block or counter. He has so many tricks up his sleeve. Antonio is going to fight to his speed. Just when Cunningham thinks he has Antonio where he wants him, it’s going to be too late and Antonio is going to knockout Cunningham. Tarver is a much sharper puncher than people think. Like Antonio says, we’re not looking past Cunningham, we’re looking through him.”

www.OfficialAntonioTarver.com

 

@antoniotarver

POLISH HEAVYWEIGHT CONTENDER ARTUR SZPILKA HEADLINES STACKED UNDERCARD AGAINST CUBA’S YASMANY CONSUEGRA

LIVE FROM PRUDENTIAL CENTER ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 14TH

AS PART OF PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON SPIKE

9 P.M. ET/PT

POLISH PROSPECTS MACIEJ SULECKI AND KAMIL LASZCZYK ALONG WITH JUNIOR FEATHERWEIGHT CONTENDER LUIS ROSA JR.

ALSO IN ACTION

 

Tickets Are On Sale Now!

NEWARK, NJ (August 3, 2015) – Exciting Polish contenders Artur Szpilka (19-1, 14 KOs), Maciej Sulecki  (20-0, 5 KOs) and Kamil Laszczyk (20-0, 5 KOs) highlight a full night of undercard action at Prudential Center, in Newark, New Jersey, on Friday, August 14.

 

The headlining event of the evening is a Premier Boxing Champions on Spike doubleheader featuring Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver (31-6, 22 KOs) facing Philadelphia’s Steve “USS” Cunningham (28-7, 13 KOs) in 12-rounds of heavyweight action, with cruiserweight champion Marco “Captain” Huck (38-2-1, 26 KOs) defending his title against Polish contender Krzyzstof Glowacki(24-0, 15 KOs) in the co-feature.

 

Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Fans in attendance will also be treated to a thrilling undercard featuring an abundance of local talent on the rise. Undercard action begins at 6:00 p.m. ET, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. ET.

 

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Warriors Boxing and Huck Sports Promotion are priced at $150, $100, $70 and $45, not including applicable service charges and are on sale now via Ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or any Ticketmaster outlet. Tickets may also be purchased at Prudential Center’s box office.

 

The brash 6’3″ Polish heavyweight powerhouse Artur Szpilka is an aggressive all-out brawler. A pro since 2008, the southpaw first gained notice when he stopped the once-touted Owen Beck in four rounds in 2011, then unanimously outpointed former world title challenger Jameel McCline the following year. Szpilka bookended 2013 with two US-televised wars against Mike Mollo, winning both by devastating knockout. The 26-year-old enters the fight with three victories in a row, including a 10-round unanimous decision over former cruiserweight world champion Tomasz Adamek. Cuban born, but fighting out of Miami, 31-year-old Yasmany Consuegra (17-1, 14 KOs) will be in the opposing corner at Prudential Center.

 

Maciej Sulecki of Warsaw, Poland, will fight in the US for the second time, in a 10-round middleweight bout. The 26-year-old has impressive wins over the previously unbeaten Robert Swierzbinski, the 18-1 Lukasz Wawrzyczek for the Polish middleweight championship, and the 29-3 former world title challenger Grzegorz Proksa. As an amateur, Sulecki had a 110-30 record and was a three-time Polish Junior tournament champion.

 

Poland-born Kamil “Little Tyson” Laszczyk now living in North Bergen, NJ, is a world-ranked featherweight on the verge of a title shot. An aggressive volume-puncher, Laszczyk was a six-time national amateur champion in Poland, while accumulating a 110-7 record. Since turning pro in 2011, the 24-year-old has won an inter-continental title as well as a Polish international title. Facing him in an eight-round bout will be the unbeaten Dominican Queens-resident Oscauris Frias (16-0, 6 KOs).

 

Popular heavyweight contender Travis Kauffman (28-1, 20 KOs), of Reading, PA, is eager to step back into the ring following an injury-induced layoff. He is coming off of his most impressive victory a dominant unanimous decision over Vincent Thompson to pick up a regional title belt in January 2014. As an amateur, Kauffman accrued a record of 52-12, while finishing with a number one ranking in the US. The 29-year-old is currently trained by boxing guru Naazim Richardson along with his father Marshall and enters this bout with 10 consecutive victories.

 

“Swift” Jarrett Hurd (15-0, 9 KOs) is a junior middleweight prospect out of Accokeek, MD. Currently trained by Ernesto Rodriguez, the 24-year-old Hurd fights in the memory of his former coach Thomas Browner, who passed away in 2010. Hurd considered stepping away from boxing, but was encouraged to continue on when approached by Rodriguez, a protégé of Browner, at the late trainer’s funeral. A two-time Washington, D.C. Golden Gloves champion, Hurd turned pro in 2012 and secured his biggest victory this past April when he stopped tough Philadelphian Eric Mitchell inside three rounds.

 

Unbeaten light heavyweight prospect Michael Seals (19-0, 14 KOs), of Atlanta, GA, is a former college linebacker from Alabama A&M, where he earned a degree in physical education. Standing 6’2″, Seals turned pro in 2008 following just five amateur bouts. However, the 33-year-old has proven to possess absolutely devastating punching power, with 11 first-round knockouts to his credit. One of those impressive knockouts came against former champion Byron Mitchell in December 2012.

 

The 24-year-old world-ranked Puerto Rican-native Luis Rosa (20-0, 10 KOs) now lives and trains in New Haven, Conn. Under the tutelage of his father, Luis Rosa Sr., he turned pro in 2010 following a very successful amateur career. He was quickly hailed as a touted prospect with a growing fan base, given his relentless, come-forward aggressive style of fighting. Promoted by DiBella Entertainment, Rosa breakout year in 2014, securing his two most impressive victories to date, both in front of a nationally televised audience. In January of last year, Rosa dominated an eight-round slugfest over the highly regarded Jorge Diaz then later in May, he earned a unanimous 10-round decision over the top-rated 18-1 Luis Del Valle. On August 14, he’ll be focused on scoring his fourth victory thus far in 2015.

 

Brooklyn southpaw brawler Mikkel “Slikk Mikk” LesPierre (9-0, 4 KOs) is a junior welterweight prospect. Born in Trinidad and Tobago, LesPierre was introduced to boxing upon moving to the United States. After six years as an amateur, compiling a 36-13 record, LesPierre turned pro in 2012. The 30-year-old is trained by Don Saxby out of the famed Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn. Competing in a six-round contest, LesPierre will be fighting in front of a New Jersey audience for the first time.

 

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.dbe1.com, www.PruCenter.comand www.spike.com/shows/premier-boxing-champions, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @AntonioTarver, @USSCunningham, @Szpilka_Artur, @LouDiBella, @PruCenter, @SpikeTV and @SpikeSports and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxing,www.Facebook.com/PruCenterand www.Facebook.com/Spike.

JUAN CARLOS PAYANO REMAINS UNDEFEATED WITH A SPLIT DECISION VICTORY OVER RAU’SHEE WARREN ON PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON BOUNCE TV FROM FULL SAIL LIVE

JOHN JACKSON DEFEATED DENNIS LAURENTE

BY UNANIMOUS DECISION

 

JORGE COTA LUGO BEATS YUDEL JHONSON

BY UNANIMOUS DECISION

 

Click HERE For Photos From Suzanna Teresa/PBC

 

WINTER PARK, FLA. (August 2, 2015) – Juan Carlos Payano (17-0, 8 KOs) defeated Rau’shee Warren (13-1, 4 KOs) by 12-round split decision in the debut ofPBC: The Next Round on Bounce TV.

 

Further televised action featured the first round of a four-man super welterweight tournament. In the first bout John Jackson (20-2, 15 KOs) won a 10-round unanimous decision over Dennis Laurente (49-6, 30 KOs).

 

The second televised bout featured a hard-hitting scrap that saw Jorge Cota Lugo (25-1, 22 KOs) defeat Yudel Jhonson (17-2, 9 KOs) by a 10-round unanimous decision.

 

Jackson and Cota Lugo will now meet at a later date.

 

Here is what the fighters had to say Sunday following their bouts:

 

JUAN CARLOS PAYANO

 

“I feel strong. Every now and then he hit me with something that affected me, but I feel good.

 

“All of the cuts on my face are from headbutts.

 

“Warren is one of the best in this division, but there are lots of other good fighters in this division. I’ll fight any of them.

 

“I think the decision was fair.

 

“I don’t think we’ll do a rematch with Warren next, but my manager will decide.”

 

RAU’SHEE WARREN

 

“The one judge had it heavily for me, so I don’t know what was up with the others. I think the point deductions really hurt me. (Payano) said I hit him while he was down and it cost me.

 

“He was strong in the first four or five rounds, but then I figured him out.

 

“I want a rematch. I’ll be back strong.”

 

YUDEL JHONSON

 

“I’ve been boxing a long time. This may be my strongest fight yet though. I’ve never been hit that hard, so I was happy to go the distance.

 

“I was very ready for this fight, which was a good thing. I didn’t get knocked down as much as I could have been.

 

“I want to thank PBC and Al Haymon for this opportunity. This was a big test and I was ready. It was an excellent fight against a great Mexican fighter. I feel like a fight like tonightqualifies me to face anyone.

 

“I’m ready for anyone they want to put in front of me next. I just need another chance to prove myself.”

 

JORGE COTA LUGO

 

“When I was in the dogfight, I was just thinking about winning so that I can continue to support my family.

 

“My team told me to step it up midway through the fight and I listened to them. I was a little uncomfortable with all the holding and twisting, but we knew his style and were ready for him.

 

“This opportunity on PBC on Bounce TV only motivates me more. Half way through the fight I hurt my (left) hand, but I knew I had to get through it and my corner helped me.

 

“I haven’t seen (John) Jackson fight actually. I was only focused on my fight tonight. I hear he’s a strong fighter though, and now I can start preparing for him.”

 

JOHN JACKSON

 

“I was trying to listen to the corner’s advice. When I knocked him down in the third round I had been hearing my corner tell me to throw the uppercut. So I caught him on the chin with one and he went down.

 

“Going in to my fights everyone expects the knockout. If it comes it comes, but I really just want the win.

 

“I want to thank God and Al Haymon for being on Bounce TV. This is great exposure. After my loss against (Andy) Lee I want to continue to show people that I’m a more mature, composed fighter.

 

“For my next opponent, I know Yudel (Jhonson) from the amateurs, but I’d also like to face Jorge Cota Lugo.

 

“I’ll take a week or two off now. My brother fights soon and I’ll head straight into camp with him as soon as he’s ready after his fight. It won’t be a long rest.”

 

DENNIS LAURENTE

 

“I trained very hard so that when I got knocked down I would be able to recover easily.

 

“I think it was the right decision.

 

“I don’t know who comes next because I still have to defend my Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) junior middleweight crown.

 

“I’m sorry that I couldn’t win this one for my fans but I’ll be back.”

 

#  #  #

Bounce TV is carried on the broadcast signals of local television stations and corresponding cable carriage.  For local channel location, visit BounceTV.com.  Bounce TV features a programming mix of original and off-network series, theatrical motion pictures, specials, live sports and more.

 

The card was promoted by Warriors Boxing and Sampson Boxing. For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @BounceTV, @WarriorsBoxingProm, @Fullsail and @Swanson_Comm. Become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions,www.Facebook.com/BounceTVwww.Facebook.com/fullsailuniversity andwww.Facebook.com/WarriorsBoxingPromo.

DANNY GARCIA REMAINS UNDEFEATED WITH NINTH-ROUND TKO OVER PAULIE MALIGNAGGI ON PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON ESPN FROM BARCLAYS CENTER

DANIEL JACOBS STOPS SERGIO MORA IN SECOND ROUND TO DEFEND MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD TITLE

Click HERE For Photos From Lucas Noonan/Premier Boxing Champions

 

Click HERE For Photos From Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment

BROOKLYN (August 2, 2015) – Danny “Swift” Garcia (31-0, 18 KOs) kept his perfect record intact Saturday with a ninth-round TKO of two-time world champion Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi (33-7, 7 KOs) on Premier Boxing Champions on ESPNfrom Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

 

Garcia was able to control the fight with lead rights and counter left hooks that kept the agile Malignaggi from landing anything significant. The punishment took its toll on Malignaggi as a cut opened up on his right eye in the third round.

 

Despite being the crowd favorite in his native Brooklyn, Malignaggi was unable to land multiple punches on Garcia and put him in real danger. In the ninth round Garcia’s crisp blows finally proved to be too much for Malignaggi as the ref stopped the fight at 2:22 into the round.

 

In the televised opener, Brooklyn’s Daniel “The Miracle Man” Jacobs (30-1, 27 KOs) knocked down former world champion Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora (28-4-2, 9 KOs) twice on his way to a second round stoppage and a successful defense of his middleweight world title.

 

The first round featured exciting action from both men as Jacobs delivered a crisp right hook that sent Mora to the canvas early. Just seconds after getting up, Mora responded by hitting Jacobs with a clean counter that stunned Jacobs and sent him to the mat.

 

After tagging Mora with hard shots at the end of round one, Jacobs continued to come forward and sent Mora to the canvas with a flurry late in the second round. Mora appeared to injure his right leg on the knockdown and was unable to continue. The official stoppage came 2:55 into round two.

 

Here is what the fighters had to say Saturday:

 

DANNY GARCIA

 

“I felt a lot stronger. In the ninth round I felt like it was round one. I need to work on shortening up punches and sticking with the game plan. My dad wanted me to be sharp and throw more straight punches.

 

“I feel strong and I feel good. I used my jab. There were definitely things I have to work on but I’m proud of myself. 147 is where it’s at.

 

“Paulie is a great champion. He’s a craft veteran with a great jab and foot movement. But I went in there and executed the game plan.

 

“Keith Thurman and Shawn Porter are great fighters in this division. If they want, we can make it happen.”

 

PAULIE MALIGNAGGI

 

“I was trying to dictate the pace because I didn’t want him to get into a groove. He’s a hard puncher and I didn’t want to give him confidence to land a big shot. I wanted to dictate with my jab and keep him missing, so he’d second guess on throwing his power. The less power shots he threw the less power shots he could hit me with.

 

“I was trying to take a bit of his confidence. He was walking me down fairly well behind the jab. He cut me in the fourth and I think that upped his confidence. I never could get control of the pace though. In spots I felt I was giving up less ground and I had him missing. He got back on his groove though and he had a strong advantage.

 

“I think Danny can be an upper echelon fighter, he already is. He can put his name in the history books. He has a lot of talent. People don’t realize he has a lot of character too. He has a very good poker face. He doesn’t get frustrated, and if he does he doesn’t show it to you.

 

“His father’s a great trainer and he really stays on him. Danny listens and they have a great relationship. Every time a round would start it was like he was fresh. Even at the end of rounds when I gave him something to think about he came back, and that’s really important.

 

“I’ve got a really good job commentating and watching great fighters fight ringside. I hope to sit around ringside for a long time. I felt like if I couldn’t put up a great performance tonight then it would be my last. I was trying to hang tough as much as I could. I remember when I was taking big shots I just kept thinking ‘Don’t give in. This is your last night if you give in. Don’t show that you’re going to give in. If you can show that you’re still hungry for it then you’ll convince yourself that this isn’t the end.’ I wanted to keep showing that I want it. Little by little he broke me down, and I have no problem with the stoppage.

 

“I’m probably not fighting again. You hate to make an emotional decision. My career started in Brooklyn 14 years ago. If it ends in Brooklyn tonight then at least I ended it at home where I’m from and in front of the greatest fans in the world.”

 

DANIEL JACOBS

 

“I wanted to stop him on my own. I didn’t want him to quit on the stool but I know that he knew it was going to end in a couple of rounds anyway.

 

“I want Peter Quillin next. It’s a fight the fans deserve. Brooklyn always supports both of us and it would be a great way to close out the year.

 

“No rematch, no reason to go backwards. Thank God for this victory, but I’m not going to give him a rematch just because.

 

“I said did a guy with nine knockouts really knock me down?

 

“I think these Brooklynites deserve something special and I think me and ‘Kid Chocolate’ would be that special fight here at Barclays. We’re on the ‘A’ side now, we’re champions, so let’s do it!”

 

SERGIO MORA

 

Spoken to his corner man “I know it’s broken [right ankle]. I heard it pop.”

 

“I heard my ankle snap and my knee also felt funny and I couldn’t put pressure on it.

 

“I knew the first few rounds would be tough, we expected that. My plan was to take him into deep water.

 

“Adrenaline can make you do stupid things. With a puncher like Danny, I needed movement.

 

“I told you I came here to fight. I give him credit, but I came to take this championship. I want a rematch.”

 

Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN was promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Swift Promotions.

 

For more information, visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.barclayscenter.comand www.dbe1.com. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @DannySwift, @PaulMalignaggi, @LouDiBella, @ESPNBoxing, @BarclaysCenter and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/fanpagedannyswiftgarcia, www.facebook.com/PaulMalignaggi, www.facebook.com/barclayscenterand www.facebook.com/ESPN. Follow the conversation using #PBConESPN and #BrooklynBoxing.

Frank De Alba off of tonight’s ESPN3.com fight with Omar Douglas

Brooklyn, NY (August 1, 2015)–Due to a last minute, non-career threatening medical issue, Jr. Lightweight Frank De Alba will not be able to compete in Tonight’s fight with Omar Douglas at Barclays Center.  The bout was scheduled to be streamed on ESPN3.com.
More details on De Alba will announced shortly.

PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON ESPN OFFICIAL WEIGHTS & WEIGH-IN PHOTOS

Click HERE For PDF Version

Click HERE For Photos From Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment

Click HERE For Photos From Lucas Noonan/Premier Boxing Champions

PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON BOUNCE TV TELEVISED FIGHTERS QUOTES & PHOTOS

 

Click HERE For Photos From Suzanne Teresa

 

ORLANDO (July 31, 2015) – Fighters competing on the debut of PBC: The Next Round On Bounce TV took time out of their schedules to host a media roundtableFriday before their Sunday bouts at a sold out Full Sail Live at Full Sail University.

 

The main event on Sunday will showcase Juan Carlos “Baby Pacquiao” Payano (16-0, 8 KOs) taking on Rau’shee “Nuke” Warren (13-0, 4 KOs). The televised portion of the card will open with John Jackson (19-2, 15 KOs) facing Dennis Laurente (49-5, 30 KOs). The second televised bout will feature Yudel Jhonson (17-1, 9 KOs) squaring off against Jorge Cota Lugo (24-1, 22 KOs).

 

Below is what the fighters had to say Friday:

 

JUAN CARLOS PAYANO

 

“I am very prepared for this fight and have no injuries. I’m 100 percent ready. Training went very well. I am a warrior with the hunger to prevail and win. I’m ready to leave everything in the ring Sunday night.

 

“Warren merits a title shot. He’s one of the best fighters in the division. It’ll be a great fight. He won’t win, but it’ll be a great fight.

 

“I see a lot of errors in Warren’s style. That particular style of his has a lot of errors in it and I’ll attack them as I see them. He’s perfect for me.

 

“I am very grateful to be getting this opportunity. I am looking forward to the exposure for the weight class and for myself. It doesn’t make a difference if I’m on TV or not though. I will be coming out to rip his head off, as I always do against anyone.

 

“The Dominican Vice President contacted me yesterday and wished me luck. I have great support from the people of my country.”

 

RAU’SHEE WARREN

 

“Launching the PBC on Bounce TV series is a huge step for me. I feel like I have to put on a show for my fans and everybody out there that’s watching.  I’m looking to win every round.

 

“It was an honor fighting for the US three times in the Olympics as an amateur. I fought a lot of different fighters from all over the world, and I got to see lots of different styles. These days I feel like anyone new who steps in front of me is similar to something I’ve already seen.

 

“We put everything on the table in training camp. I just can’t wait for August 2. I hope that when the bell rings he’s as ready as I am because I’m putting everything into this one.

 

“I see a lot of things in Payano that I think I can take advantage of. I expect him to be aggressive, but his problem is that he’s going to be so worried about my speed he won’t even know what else I’m brining at him.

 

“This is free boxing for all.  I feel like PBC is making the sport more accessible for the fans. People have been hearing about the pay-per-view (PPV) fighters, but they haven’t really been seeing the undercard fighters or the lesser-known fighters.

 

“If some people out there don’t know me yet then they will for sure after they tune into Bounce TV this Sunday. My job is to show them who Rau’shee Warren is and force them to pay attention.”

 

YUDEL JHONSON

 

“Training went very well. There’s no excuses. I am ready to go. I am already on weight and my camp was perfect.

 

“Cota is a very typical Mexican fighter. He’s aggressive. He’s awkward sometimes, but he comes forward. He’s a tough warrior and I respect him. He’s ready to fight and so am I. It’s going to be a great fight.

 

“I am very grateful to be here and plan on maximizing this opportunity on Bounce TV. I want to show the fans that I’m the real deal.

 

“After I win this fight, I would like a chance for revenge against Willie Nelson. Tony Harrison underestimated him, but I won’t. That’s who I want to fight.

 

“The fans that haven’t seen me will see someone who truly loves a war. I never run from a tough fight.”

 

JORGE COTA LUGO

 

“Normally I don’t do that much sparring, but for this fight we did a lot because I feel like (Jhonson) is a smart fighter with a lot of movement. So we sparred more to make sure we’re prepared for this fight.

 

“I want to guarantee everyone a great show on Sunday night. Anyone who bought a ticket will see a great fight when I step into the ring.

 

“A world title shot is different. This was a very difficult training camp. We worked extremely hard to get ready for this fight, but it was a really tough camp.

 

“I’m very motivated for this fight. Based on the way I’ve been treated it seems like people are counting me out, but I’m hear to give it my best.”

 

JOHN JACKSON

 

“I feel good and confident. I’m sure he’s going to be tough and he’s going to bring it, but I’m ready.

 

“We did a couple things different for him because he’s a southpaw. I’ve been working personally on my style to adjust to his style.

 

“I think it’s a great matchup of our styles. He comes forwards and I come forward too. I think it’s a great matchup for the fans.

 

“I am honored by this opportunity to be here and televised for the world to see us. It’s a blessing and I thank God for it. This is a huge fight for me.

 

“I’m treating this fight like it’s a world title fight. Hopefully this fight will open doors for me. I’m very privileged to be here. This is also my first time fighting in Florida. A lot of fans from the Virgin Islands are coming out to see me.

 

“I have no problem making this weight. I’m’ normally two pounds over.

 

“I have no prediction for the fight. If I see an opportunity for the knockout I’ll go for it, but I’m ready to go 10 rounds. I will get that ‘W.’ That’s all I know.”

 

DENNIS LAURENTE

 

“My training was great. I was in camp for two months and I’m completely ready for this fight.

 

“John Jackson is a powerful puncher, but I have more experience. I watched the Andy Lee fight and I know how to beat him. I’m expecting a war with him, but I will stop him in eight rounds. That is my plan.

 

“I am excited for this opportunity. It’s a great opportunity. I have been on four Manny Pacquiao undercards, so I’ve been in big fights before, but this one is very important for me.

 

“I have received tremendous support from fans in the Philippines. The messages are coming in steady and I appreciate it very much. It makes me stronger.”

 

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