Category Archives: Showtime Boxing

“ALL ACCESS: MAYWEATHER vs. BERTO” EPISODE 1 CLIP LIFT: FLOYD MAYWEATHER PLAYS BASKETBALL WITH BOSTON CELTICS POINT GUARD ISAIAH THOMAS

 

 

 

“ALL ACCESS: Mayweather vs. Berto” Episode 1

Premieres Tomorrow/Friday, August 28 At 10:30 p.m. ET/PT On SHOWTIME®

 

Click HERE to watch, share and embed this video: http://s.sho.com/1KaltQB

 

Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas didn’t ease up on boxing’s pound-for-pound champion Floyd Mayweather when the two squared off on the basketball court.  Check out this clip lift from Episode 1 of the Sports Emmy® Award-winning series ALL ACCESSto watch Mayweather take a break from training as he prepares for what is expected to be the final fight of his career on Saturday, September 12 against Andre Berto.

 

“ALL ACCESS: Mayweather vs. Berto” Episode 1 premieres this Friday, August 28 at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME, immediately prior to a live presentation of ShoBox: The New Generation.  HIGH STAKES: Mayweather vs. Berto – Saturday, September 12, LIVE on SHOWTIME PPV® From MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

 

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HIGH STAKES: Mayweather vs. Berto,” a 12-round welterweight world championship bout for Mayweather’s WBC and WBA 147-pound titles, is promoted by Mayweather Promotions LLC.  The event will take place Saturday, September 12 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas and will be televised by SHOWTIME PPV.  The undercard features a WBO Junior Lightweight World Championship fight, which is a rematch between Roman Martinez and Orlando Salido.  Also featured on the PPV telecast will be a WBC Super Middleweight title bout between Badou Jack and George Groves, which is promoted in association with Team Sauerland. The opening PPV bout pits former world champion Jhonny Gonzalez against Puerto Rico’s Jonathan Oquendo in a 10-round super featherweight bout.

 

For more information visit www.mayweatherpromotions.comwww.SHO.com/Sports andwww.mgmgrand.com and follow on Twitter at @floydmayweather, @AndreBerto, @BadouJack, @StGeorgeGroves, @Romancito77, @sirisalido, @jhonnygbox, @JonathanOquen @mayweatherpromo, @SHOSports and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FloydMayweather,www.Facebook.com/TheRealAndreBerto,www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions and www.facebook.com/SHOsports.

FLOYD “MONEY” MAYWEATHER LAS VEGAS WORKOUT QUOTES AND PHOTOS



SATURDAY, SEPT. 12, LIVE ON SHOWTIME PAY-PER-VIEW
AT THE MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA IN LAS VEGAS
 
Click HERE For Photos From Idris Erba/Mayweather Promotions
 
Click HERE For Photos From Esther Lin/SHOWTIME
 
ALL ACCESS: MAYWEATHER VS. BERTO
Premieres This Friday, Aug. 28 on SHOWTIME®

Click On The Link Below To Watch Episode 1 Preview
 
LAS VEGAS – (Aug. 27, 2015) – Floyd “Money” Mayweather (48-0, 26 KOs) opened up the Mayweather Boxing Club on Wednesday for his last media day ever as he prepares for the last fight of a celebrated 19-year career. He will defend his WBC and WBA Welterweight World Championships against power-punching, two-time welterweight world champion Andre Berto (30-3, 23 KOs) on Saturday, Sept. 12 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, live on SHOWTIME PPV® (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT).
 
If triumphant, Mayweather would match the record of the late heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano, who retired in April 1956 with a record of 49-0.
Television camera crews, newspaper columnists, boxing writers, radio broadcasters, web reporters and photographers watched as boxing’s perennial pound for pound king and 12-time world champion in five weight classes went through approximately a 45-minute workout, which consisted of about 35 minutes of sparring.
Before a training session that was hosted by TV & CBS Radio personality Big Tigger and Emmy®Award-winning sports reporter Mark Kriegel and streamed in high definition across multiple platforms, including via satellite feed, YouTube and social media, Mayweather took questions from the media inside a specially-constructed tent in a parking lot outside the gym.
Promoted by Mayweather Promotions, the Sept. 12 four-fight pay-per-view telecast will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV and is the sixth and final fight of a record-breaking deal between Mayweather and Showtime Networks Inc. SHOWTIME Sports® will support the event with the Sports Emmy® Award-winning series ALL ACCESS.
In world championship fights on the pay-per-view telecast, Roman “Rocky” Martinez (29-2-2, 17 KOs) will defend his WBO Junior Lightweight title in a rematch against four-time world champion Orlando “Siri” Salido (42-13-2, 29 KOs), and Badou Jack “The Ripper” (19-1-1, 12 KOs) will make the initial defense of his WBC Super Middleweight World title against mandatory challenger “Saint” George Groves (21-2, 16 KOs). The opening fight of the telecast will feature former three-time world champion and Mexican power-puncher Jhonny Gonzalez (58-9, 49 KOs) against Puerto Rico’s Jonathan “Polvo” Oquendo (25-4, 16 KOs) in a 10-round junior lightweight scrap.
Plus, former 154-pound world champion Ishe Smith (27-7, 12 KOs) will be opposed by longtime top-five contender Vanes Martirosyan (35-2-1, 21 KOs) in the 90-minute COUNTDOWN LIVE: MAYWEATHER vs. BERTO” preshow on Saturday, September 12.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions LLC., are priced at $1,500, $1,000, $750, $500, $300 and $150 and are on sale now. Tickets are limited to eight (8) per household for all ticket prices except the $150 ticket category, which is limited to four (4) per household. To charge by phone or with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
What Mayweather, Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe, WBC Super Middleweight World Champion, Badou Jack and Mayweather Promotions’ Ishe Smith said Wednesday:
Floyd Mayweather
“Berto can fight. He’s a two-time champion. He’s hungry. He comes to wage a war. There is never a dull moment when he fights so I expect a hell of a fight out of him. We’ll all see how it plays out.
“My last fight, all you guys put [Manny] Pacquiao on a pedestal and look what happened. I went in there and did what I needed to do, which is win.
“This fight, no matter who the opponent, somebody would have something critical or negative to say. Some people are never satisfied. But I’m satisfied.
“All 48 of my fights have been hard. None have been easy. All played a major key. It’s the ‘Mayweather Era.’ I feel that every fighter is an artist and they all take pictures their own way. I’m just one of the very best artists.
“I’ve truly been blessed. I’ve taken my time, kept my eye on the prize and done what I’ve had to do. So I’m able to make a choice when to retire. Most fighters really couldn’t.
“Boxing has always been work to me, a job. If I could say anything to a youngster taking up boxing it would be to “be smart and not take a lot of punches. It’s called the sweet science for a reason. Hit and not be hit, make a lot of money without taking a lot of punishment. That’s what it’s about.
“Nobody knows what the future holds, but right now, I’m cool and comfortable and having no  second thoughts at all about retirement. I had a good career, I won every world title, but boxing is wear and tear on the body. It’s time to hang ’em up. I’m looking forward to working with some up-and-coming kids, going on walks, and taking vacations.”
Leonard Ellerbe
“All people are saying is that Berto is 3-3 in his last six fights but Pacquiao was 3-3 in his last six fights, too. Cotto has lost two of his last five fights. But they’re both headed to the Hall of Fame.
“We know Berto is coming to fight, that he is coming to win and shock the world. There’s no way Floyd takes him lightly. He is working just as hard for this fight as he did the previous 48.
“Floyd is my friend, we’re family, but I commend and applaud him for doing what he’s done, what he’s accomplished, how successful he is, how successful he’s been from 1996 to now.
“It’s truly remarkable. To be able to walk away on his own terms, to follow his own game plan, is unbelievable. At 38, he’s got a boatload of money in the bank, all his faculties and he did it his way. This is the American Dream.
“Floyd could fight as long as he wants, if that were what he wanted to do. People don’t understand what goes into his craft. He trains around the clock. He’s given his life to his career. He’s ready to ride off on to the next phase of his life. He’s earned that right.
“We made a commitment and we are following his contract. Besides, how much is enough? How much can one ask of somebody? How much more can he make?’
“This will be Floyd’s last fight. I’m very excited for him. He’s done it his way. He’s had an illustrious career and I know he’s very comfortable with what he’s been able to accomplish.”
Badou Jack
“Honestly, I think this fight could steal the show and will be the fight of the night. This will be very, very entertaining.
“Groves is definitely a good, tough fighter, He has a lot of speed, a lot of heart. I respect him. . He fought Carl Froch twice. But I’m not Froch and don’t fight like Froch. We have different styles.
“This is my first defense and I’m very excited about it, but I have always maintained an underdog mentality, and that will never change. I’m trying to stay humble. I’m still the same guy but by becoming a world champion it has only made me work even harder.
“I’m still learning, working hard. I know I can’t look past anyone. There are a lot of potential really big fights in the future – and I want to fight the best no matter if it is GGG, Andre Ward, whoever.
“But right now my only focus is on the game plan and executing it. I’m really looking forward to fighting [George] Groves and winning on Sept. 12.”
Ishe Smith
“I’m not going to make any predictions. I’m just going to go out and do what I do and that’s give 100 percent.
“I will say this, though, if he thinks he is going to knock me out, like he’s saying, it’s going to be a very entertaining fight.
“I won a world title as a B-side, but I feel I’m the A-side in this fight. I’ve fought the best in the division for years and years, I’ve sparred with the best.
“Martirosyan is a good dude and has a nice family, but he hasn’t been in with guys like I have. Guys that are better and hit a lot harder than him. I’ve never been down. I’ve never taken an eight-count. I’m 34 years old and never been hurt and he says he’s gonna stop me. That’s just crazy.
“I’m betting on my chin, that’s for sure. He couldn’t knock out [Jermell] Charlo in his last fight. He made all kind of excuses for losing. The reason he lost was because he lost to a better fighter.
“If he wants to go for the KO, fine; if that’s his focus. For me, I’m not thinking KO. I’m just thinking winning.”
# # #
HIGH STAKES: Mayweather vs. Berto,” a 12-round welterweight world championship bout for Mayweather’s WBC and WBA 147-pound titles, is promoted by Mayweather Promotions LLC.  The event will take place Saturday, September 12 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas and will be televised by SHOWTIME PPV.  The undercard features a WBO Junior Lightweight World Championship fight, which is a rematch between Roman Martinez and Orlando Salido.  Also featured on the PPV telecast will be a WBC Super Middleweight title bout between Badou Jack and George Groves, which is promoted in association with Team Sauerland. The opening PPV bout pits former world champion Jhonny Gonzalez against Puerto Rico’s Jonathan Oquendo in a 10-round super featherweight bout.
 “ALL ACCESS: Mayweather vs. Berto” Episode 1 premieres this Friday, Aug. 28 at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT.
For more information visit www.mayweatherpromotions.comwww.SHO.com/Sports andwww.mgmgrand.com and follow on Twitter at @floydmayweather, @AndreBerto, @BadouJack, @StGeorgeGroves, @Romancito77, @sirisalido, @jhonnygbox, @JonathanOquen @mayweatherpromo, @SHOSports and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/FloydMayweather,www.Facebook.com/TheRealAndreBerto,www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions and www.facebook.com/SHOsports.

Natu Visinia to take on Joey Dawejko on Friday, August 28 on ShoBox

Nutley, NJ (August 27, 2015) Heavyweight Natu Visinia will be looking for his 2nd consecutive victory when he takes on Joey Dawejko in an 8-round bout that will be part of a ShoBox: The New Genration card tomorrow night at the D Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. (11pm ET/PT on Showtime)
Visinia is co-promoted by GH3 Promotions and Final Forum Promotions.
Visinia is coming off a 4th round stoppage over Joshua Clark on May 13 in Hollywood, California.
With that win, the 30 year-old from Clinton, Illinois raised his mark to 11-1 with 9 knockouts.
Most fans were introduced to Visinia when he fought former two-time world champion Steve “USS” Cunningham on October 18, 2014.  That fight was Visnia’s only career blemish as he was stopped in seven rounds in a fight that in hindsight he should not have competed in.
“There was a lot going on around the fight.  It is well known that my trainer, Charles Bereal suddenly passed away from a heart attack just eight days before the fight,” said Visnia.
When asked if he had it to do all over again, Visinia may have not gone through with the fight.
“I learned in boxing that it is best to move the right way.  I am now fighting my 2nd top-25 guy.  At the point of the Cunningham fight, I had no business in the fight.” That being said, I did learn a lot in that fight.  I saw that I missed a lot of shots and my hands were low.  I also knew, I had to cut off the ring better.  But I have had a lot of top notch sparring and I know I have corrected all that.  I went int camps in Big Bear, California with Charles Martin and Andrey Fedosov.”
Now he looks to the showdown with Dawejko, which is another fight that is not an ideal situation as he has become good friends with his opponent.
“I have become good friends with Joey.  We met a couple years ago as we were both in a Wladimir Klitschko camp.  We continue to communicate on social media but going into the fight it is normal business.”
Against Dawejko, Visinia will have a size advantage and this is something he believes could be the difference in his favor.
“I will definitely have a reach advantage and I plan to utilize it.  My power and he is a tough little scrapper, it should make for a fun fight to watch.”
“I am glad to get another opportunity on national television.  People have been wondering what I have been up to as it is tough finding fights.  I have been training for the last six months.  There have been several big names  that are ahead of me in the rankings that have turned down fights, so I am happy for this opportunity.”
GH3 Promotions features undefeated Middleweight Antoine Douglas, Super Middleweight’s Jerry Odom & Derrick Webster, undefeated Super Bantamweight Adam Lopez as well as Boxcino 2015 Jr. Middleweight Champion John Thompson, Jr., undefeated Welterweight’s Jerrell Harris & Keenan Smith,undefeated Super  lightweight Bienvenido Diaz, Heavyweight Natu Visinia, Light Heavyweight Lavarn Harvell, Jr. Lightweight O’Shanique Foster & Super Middleweight Andrew Hernandez to the GH3 Promotions stable.

ROMAN MARTINEZ, ORLANDO SALIDO, JHONNY GONZALEZ & JONATHAN OQUENDO MEDIA CONFERENCE CALL TRANSCRIPT

 
 
Click HERE For MP3
Kelly Swanson
Thanks everybody for calling in. We appreciate it. We know it’s a busy week, but we wanted to kick it off with this conference call and on the line today we have two bouts from the HIGH STAKES: Mayweather vs. BertoPay-Per-View undercard, taking place Saturday, September 12.
The two bouts that we’re talking about today are Jhonny Gonzalez versus Jonathan Oquendo and also Roman Martinez versus Orlando Salido, in their rematch. We’re going to start with Gonzalez and Oquendo and then we will move into the Martinez-Salido portion of the call. To make the introductions and MC the call I’d like to introduce Leonard Ellerbe, Chief Executive Officer of Mayweather Promotions.
Leonard Ellerbe
Thank you Kelly. I’d like to thank everyone for calling in to our first of two conference calls. It’s exciting to present these great fights on the Pay-Per-View televised portion of the Mayweather versus Berto event. This call is extremely special because we have not only one, but two classics – Mexico versus Puerto Rico matchups which we’ll be discussing. Before we get into the fight details and fighters I’d like to introduce Chris DeBlasio, he’s the Vice President of Sports Communications for SHOWTIME.
Chris DeBlasio
Thank you to all the press for getting on and Kelly for setting this up. I won’t take much of your time. I know you want to hear from the fighters today, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t share some of the exciting programming that we have coming up. As Leonard mentioned, the two fights that we’re going to talk about today are special in the classic rivalry between Mexico and Puerto Rico and we do expect this to be a very exciting and fun undercard. So we’re excited to get to it.
As such, SHOWTIME Sports, in keeping with our tradition with the Mayweather events that we have been fortunate enough to work with Mayweather Promotions since 2013, we have a strong lineup of programming that comes in advance of the Pay-Per-View. The lynchpin of that is, of course, our Sports Emmy Award winning “ALL ACCESS” series.
We will premiere the first of a four episode series this Friday, August 28, on SHOWTIME. That is chronicling Mayweather and Berto as they prepare for the main event on September 12. In addition we have the first fight of Orlando Salido versus Rocky Martinez from April of this year.  We believe many of you have already called this a leading candidate for fight of the year for 2015. That first fight in its entirety is airing on SHOWTIME EXTREME. It airs on the CBS Sports Network, our sister cable television network. It is also available in full on the internet. If you haven’t seen that fight or you want to relive some of the excitement or share with your readers and viewers, please do. That fight was excellent and we expect a great one in the rematch as well.
Our typical compliment of programming during fight week will be available as expected and as you’ve seen before from SHOWTIME in partnership with Mayweather Promotion. You’ll see a main event press conference streaming live on Wednesday of fight week. The undercard press conference we will also stream live that week. Weigh-in Live on Friday will air on SHOWTIME network, on CBS Sports Network and on many other platforms, including the internet.
We also have a very special “COUNTDOWN LIVE” on Saturday, September 12. COUNTDOWN LIVE is going to be a 90-minute show on SHOWTIME leading up to the Pay-Per-View. That’s going to include a live 10-round fight between Mayweather Promotions’ Ishe Smith in a super welterweight bought against Vanes Martirosyan. So lots of great programing coming up.
I know you guys have lots of other live action to cover as well. So I’m not going to take up any more of your time. I wish you luck and thanks for the time.
L. Ellerbe
Okay, thank you Chris. Mayweather versus Berto is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and as Chris mentioned it will be live on SHOWTIME Pay-Per-View. Just a reminder the Pay-Per-View telecast will start at 5 PM PT/8 PM ET. This event will be sponsored by Tecate.
Also, just a reminder tickets are on sale now at the MGM Grand and the ticket prices are $150, $300, $500, $750, $1000 and $1500. Mayweather versus Berto will be shown live in select movie theaters all across the country with our partners Fathom Events. Tickets are on sale now at www.fathomevents.com. In the main event, obviously, you have Floyd “Money” Mayweather versus hard hitting former champ Andre Berto. In the co-main event we have WBO Junior lightweight title fight between Roman “Rocky” Martinez and Orlando Salido. This will be a rematch of their fight of the year from this past April.
The Martinez versus Salido fight will follow Mayweather Promotions own Badou Jack “The Ripper” making his first title defense of his WBC Super Middleweight World Championship and he’ll be fighting “Saint” George Groves. The Jack vs. Groves fight is in association with Sauerland Events. And as announced last Tuesday the first Pay-Per-View television fight will be a 10 round Junior Lightweight showdown featuring Mexican power puncher Jhonny Gonzalez against Puerto Rico’s Jonathan Oquendo. I’d like to acknowledge Peter Rivera of PR Best Boxing
Peter Rivera
Hi, Leonard. Hi everybody. Once again, thanks for the opportunity to SHOWTIME and Mayweather and we’re looking forward to being part of this great event.
L. Ellerbe
Thank you. I would like to introduce and first the opening televised bout on the Pay-Per-View portion. Jonathan Oquendo, fighting out of Bayamon, Puerto Rico. He’s won 11 of 13 fights and will fight for the sixth time in his career at the MGM when he faces Jhonny Gonzalez on September the 12. Coming to us with a record of 25-4 with 16 KOs. Jonathan, would you like to make a few comments?
Jonathan Oquendo
I want to thank the press. I want to thank everyone for this opportunity. I’m very excited. I’m very focused and looking forward to the match up.
L. Ellerbe
Next up I’d like to introduce a very very exciting fighter from Mexico City, Mexico. He has won world championships at 118 and 126. One of his most memorable fights is his fight against Abner Mares in a very very exciting fight he ended with the first round KO to grab the WBC featherweight title. He defended it twice because eventually losing to Gary Russell Jr. Jhonny Gonzalez comes in with with a 58-9 record with 49 big KOs
Jhonny Gonzalez
I’m very happy for this opportunity. I’m extremely excited for the chance to fight on such a big stage that is important to fans around the world and I’ve really picked up my training and I’m extremely focused and looking ahead towards September 12.
Q
Jonathan, why did you accept this fight at this stage of your career?
J. Oquendo
I feel like this is a great opportunity. I want to be a great champion. I want to go ahead and showcase my talents on the card that Floyd Mayweather is headlining because there is a lot of attention when he fights. I feel that the training and that we’ve been doing in camp has been fantastic and I do believe that I have enough to defeat somebody of the caliber of Jhonny Gonzalez.
Q
Jhonny, what do you expect out of Jonathan Oquendo?
J. Gonzalez
He is very complicated and difficult to fight. I know that for Jonathan it’s a great opportunity. I’m awaiting a very stiff and strong challenge and I believe that Jonathan will bring his best coming up on September 12.
Q
Johnny, you just fought earlier this month. Did you already know that this fight was in the works if you won?
J. Gonzalez
I’m very happy that I took the previous fight and came out fine and it’s allowed me to just keep up the same training. I feel terrific at 130 pounds. I understand how important this is for all the Mexicans to be able to celebrate during this time on September 12 and during the month of September. At the end of the day I want to come out with my hand raised on September 12.
Q
How important is it to you to keep up the tradition of always fighting on or near your birthday, which of course is also the Mexico Independence Day?
J. Gonzalez
It’s very important for me to fight during this time of the year. I have had the opportunity to compete during this time of the year on various occasions and also more than anything I’ve learned from my defeats. Sometimes I’ve came up short but I have looked back and figured out the reasons why. And at the end of the day, most importantly, I want to go out and I want to fight for one more world title.
Q
Jhonny, do you believe you’re done at featherweight or would the right opportunity prompt you to drop that kind of weight?
J. Gonzalez
No, I’m done. My days are over fighting at 126. My focus is strictly on 130 pounds. I want to fight for a world title and I want to fight the best at 130. I get that opportunity to do so on September 12 against Jonathan Oquendo.
Q
This question is for Jhonny. Are you going to put on another action-packed fight or will this be a more conservative Jhonny?
J. Gonzalez
I feel that the face that I’m back with my father will make me better than ever. I feel better at 130 instead of at 126 and my mindset is more to focus on boxing and that ability to focus on boxing, is going to allow me to land harder shots against Jonathan Oquendo.
Q
Do you plan on making a title run at 130?
J. Gonzalez
I want to put on exciting fights, but I also want to focus on my campaign at 130 step-by-step. I feel that I will be ready to fight for a world title if the opportunity presents itself, but I’m more focused on handling things one by one and step-by-step.
Q
Having been through the process of rebuilding after a loss, do you feel more comfortable going through it?
J. Gonzalez
I always learn from my losses. I’m going to come back stronger and my mindset is to fight for a world title at 130 pounds. I understand the adjustments I need to make and I’m going to put that on display against Jonathan Oquendo.
Q
Jonathan, how do you feel fighting at 130 pounds?
J. Oquendo
I’m in excellent condition right now. I understand the opponent that I have against me in Jhonny Gonzalez and I think I’m going to be totally fine conditioning wise and physically against Jhonny Gonzalez.
K. Swanson
Great. Thank you so much. Okay, now we’re going to transition over to Orlando Salido and Rocky Martinez.
L. Ellerbe
This next bout, which will be the second part of this great Mexico versus Puerto Rico rivalry, we have a very exciting fight. It’s a fight that the fans are really looking forward to and I’d like to introduce first Roman “Rocky” Martinez. He comes to us with a 29-2 record with 17 KOs and he’s fighting out of Puerto Rico. He’ll be making the first defense in his third stint as the WBO Junior Lightweight champ. He survived a desperate late rush to unanimously out-point Salido in a hard fought action packed fight this past April and it was a classic Puerto Rico versus Mexico battle. Roman, would like you to say a few words?
Roman Martinez
I’m very prepared. My team has done a terrific job in training camp. I want to put on an amazing fight and I’ve worked extremely diligently to be able to defend his title on a spectacular card like this one that is headlined by Floyd Mayweather.
O. Salido
I’m very happy and it means a lot for me to be included on such a great card like this that is headlined by Floyd Mayweather and I want to prove to everybody that I still have a long career in front of me and I want to go out and recapture the world title.
Q
Orlando, what will be different in this fight coming up?
O. Salido
I’ve been training with guys that are very mobile that like to move a lot and I know that Roman is going to constantly be on the move, but the difference with this fight is that during his last fight in training camp I did not spar with guys that are very mobile and moved around the ring. But in this fight I’m very focused and prepared to go head and seek Roman Martinez in every single corner of the ring.
Q
For both fighters, what is your mentality of going back into the ring immediately with an opponent you just fought in what was a very very hard, physical, tough fight. How do you mentally prepare yourself for that knowing you’re probably going to be standing across the ring from a guy who is going to put you through another 12 rounds or maybe less of all out warfare?
R. Martinez
My training has been excellent. To be able to come out and put on a show on a card like this, I want to not only look good, but I want to look spectacular. The difference is that I’m going to use my intelligence more. I know Orlando is a terrific fighter and is going to leave it all inside the ring, but I’m going to use my brains more in this fight compared to the last.
O. Salido
Training has been going very well. I understand that we went toe-to-toe in our last match, but honestly, mentally I feel fantastic. What I’m looking at in this fight is not to leave anything behind. To give it my all and he understands that Roman Martinez is a great fighter, but I want to go out and recoup the title for all of Mexico on September 12.
Q
Roman did you think at any point that you could finish him in that fight and did you think that because you were able to drop him two times that perhaps this time you could finish him off in the rematch?
R. Martinez
I understand in the first fight I feel like I didn’t start as strong and in this fight I’m going to fight with pressure of from the outset and I do have a lot of confidence understanding that I could hurt Orlando Salido, but in this fight it’s all about starting faster and stronger and really going ahead and putting the pressure on Orlando Salido early. I definitely feel I can go ahead and finish off Orlando Salido. Orlando is a very valiant fighter and very courageous, but if I have the moment and I have the opportunity, if it is there then I will certainly oblige and finish off Orlando Salido.
Q
Leonard, could you talk about how this fight ended up on the undercard of Floyd’s show?
L. Ellerbe
We’re always looking to put on exciting fights on our undercards and this was the best fight out there that we could make. I’m truly excited, not only as the promoter of the event, but as a fan to be able to witness another great fight. We know the first fight was a hardcore fight and I suspect nothing else in this fight. I went out and I tried to make the best fight I could on the card and that’s what we got.
Q
Roman do you believe that you have the advantage mentally heading into the rematch?
R. Martinez
Orlando is a veteran. We had an amazing fight back in April, but I’m not going to get over confident because Orlando Salido is a dangerous fighter and I understand I must bring 100% and my absolute best on September 12.
Q
Orlando did you want the rematch immediately?
O. Salido
The first fight was in Roman’s backyard out in Puerto Rico. I did not fight well, but I craved an opportunity to regain my title and I will do so for all of Mexico.
Q
Orlando how do you feel being able to fight very close to Mexican Independence Day and all that it represents?
O. Salido
It’s such an honor to be fighting so close to this day for the Independence of Mexico. I am so just overjoyed by the opportunity to be able to regain my title for all of Mexico during that time of year.
Q
Orlando do you think that this is the last time you will be fighting for the world title?
O. Salido
I do not know whatsoever. You can’t tell and you can’t know for sure. Anything can happen in the ring. But what I do know is that I am focused and coming up on September 12 I will, once again, regain my world championship for all of Mexico.
Q
The first fight that you had was very close and a lot of people felt that real difference in the decision was the two knockdowns. What happened with those knockdowns and how are you going to work in this fight to prevent something like that from happening again?
O. Salido
Mentally I feel great. Roman hit me with great shots, but the second knock down he hit me with an amazing show. In the first fight I lost the fight mentally and in this fight everything is different mentally, spiritually. I just feel so much better and I thought that in the first fight that everyone was for Roman. This time everything is different and I think that the results will be different as well.
Q
Roman, could you tell us what led up to the knockdowns and how you will try to repeat that in the rematch?
R. Martinez
The first fight, it was just an amazing matchup. I went ahead and I saw an opportunity. I took advantage of it. I’m training very hard to go out there and get the finish that I was looking for in the first match up.
Q
In the back of your mind have you thought at all about a trilogy?
O. Salido
If the fans want a third fight after I am victorious then so be it. Let’s make it happen. But in my mind I’m coming out only thinking about this fight. That is my only focus at the moment. I want to come out and fight an intelligent fight. I know Roman is going to be at his best, but when he steps inside the ring on September 12 I want to put on a spectacular performance for all the fans and everyone watching on Pay-Per-View.
R. Martinez
I know it’s going to be a great fight and that if the fans want a third fight then I’m willing to oblige, but it will have to be on my point because I’m going to be victorious yet again over Orlando Salido. So if it is another great fight where I am victorious it will certainly be up to me and I would be willing to go ahead and consider the option of fighting a third time against Orlando Salido.
“HIGH STAKES: Mayweather vs. Berto,” a 12-round welterweight
world championship bout for Mayweather’s WBC and WBA 147-pound titles, is promoted by Mayweather Promotions LLC.  The event will take place Saturday, September 12 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas and will be televised by SHOWTIME PPV.  The undercard features a WBO Junior Lightweight World Championship fight, which is a rematch between Roman Martinez and Orlando Salido.  Also featured on the PPV telecast will be a WBC Super Middleweight title bout between Badou Jack and George Groves, which is promoted in association with Team Sauerland. The opening PPV bout pits former world champion Jhonny Gonzalez against Puerto Rico’s Jonathan Oquendo in a 10-round super featherweight bout.
For more information visit www.mayweatherpromotions.comwww.SHO.com/Sports andwww.mgmgrand.com and follow on Twitter at @floydmayweather, @AndreBerto, @BadouJack, @StGeorgeGroves, @Romancito77, @sirisalido, @jhonnygbox, @JonathanOquen @mayweatherpromo, @SHOSports and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FloydMayweather,www.Facebook.com/TheRealAndreBerto,www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions and www.facebook.com/SHOsports.

Fathom Events and Mayweather Promotions Bring Floyd “Money” Mayweather’s Last Fight to the Big Screen Live from Las Vegas

** MEDIA ALERT **
 
TICKETS NOW ON SALE
HIGH STAKES: Mayweather vs. Berto to Be Presented Live in Select U.S. Cinemas on Saturday, September 12
 
DENVER – August 24, 2015 -Tickets are now on sale for HIGH STAKES:Mayweather vs. Berto,broadcast live to select U.S. movie theaters on Saturday, September 12 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas at 8:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. CT / 6:00 p.m. MT / 5:00 p.m. PT / 4:00 p.m. AK / 2:00 p.m. HI. Presented by Fathom Events and Mayweather Promotions, Mayweather vs. Berto has truly historic implications, as a win for Mayweather (48-0, 26 KOs) brings his undefeated record to equal the late great heavyweight world champion Rocky Marciano (49-0).
Tickets for Mayweather vs. Berto can be purchased online by visiting www.FathomEvents.com or at participating theater box offices. Fans throughout the U.S. will be able to enjoy the event in nearly 470 movie theaters through Fathom’s Digital Broadcast Network. For a complete list of theater locations visit the Fathom Events website  (theaters and participants are subject to change).
Fans are in store for a full night of action as the four-fight PPV telecast features two additional world title fights. The co-main event will showcase a WBO Junior Lightweight World Title fight between Roman “Rocky” Martinez(29-2-2, 17 KOs) and Orlando “Siri” Salido (42-13-2, 29 KOs) in a rematch of their epic “Fight of the Year” from April. Plus, WBC Super Middleweight World Champion Badou Jack “The Ripper” (19-1-1, 12 KOs) makes his first defense against mandatory challenger “Saint” George Groves (21-2, 16 KOs). The televised opener pits power-punching
Jhonny Gonzalez (58-9, 49 KOs) against Puerto Rico’s Jonathan “Polvo” Oquendo (25-4, 16 KOs).
Floyd Mayweather (48-0, 26 KO’s), a 12-time world champion in five weight divisions, remains boxing’s biggest attraction, wowing crowds and generating record numbers every time he steps into the ring. In fact,Mayweather was recently named the world’s highest paid athlete by “Forbes” magazine for a second consecutive year. During his extraordinary career, he has amassed wins over world champions such as Manny Pacquiao, Diego Corrales, Jose Luis Castillo, Arturo Gatti, Zab Judah, Oscar de la Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Juan Manuel Marquez, Shane Mosley, Miguel Cotto, Robert Guerrero and Canelo Alvarez.
 
Andre Berto (30-3, 23 KO’s), of Winter Haven, Fla. is a former amateur standout and 2004 Olympian for Haiti.Aveteran of eight world title fights, all at 147 pounds, he won the WBC Welterweight World Title in June 2008 and made five successful title defenses over the next two and a half years before losing the title in April 2011. Berto won the IBF Welterweight World Title in September 2011. Style-wise, the 5-foot-7 Berto is expected to adopt an aggressive approach with a high punch output, similar to the strategy employed by Marcos Maidana in his first fight against Mayweather. If Mayweather fails to display his trademark speed and defense, Berto could use his power and hand speed to make Mayweather uncomfortable and force him into a brawl.
-30-
“HIGH STAKES: Mayweather vs. Berto,”a 12-round welterweight world championship bout for Mayweather’s WBC and WBA 147-pound titles, is promoted by Mayweather Promotions LLC.  The event will take placeSaturday, September 12 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas and will be televised by SHOWTIME PPV.  The undercard features a WBO Junior Lightweight World Championship fight, which is a rematch between Roman Martinez and Orlando Salido that is presented in association with PR Best Boxing.  Also featured on the PPV telecast will be a WBC Super Middleweight title bout between Badou Jack and George Groves, which is promoted in association with Team Sauerland. The opening PPV bout pits former world champion Jhonny Gonzalez against Puerto Rico’s Jonathan Oquendo in a 10-round junior lightweight bout.
 
For artwork/photos related to HIGH STAKES: Mayweather vs. Berto, visit the Fathom Events press site.
About Fathom Events
Fathom Events is the recognized leader in the alternative entertainment industry, offering a variety of one-of-a-kind entertainment events in movie theaters nationwide that include live, high-definition performances of the Metropolitan Opera, the performing arts, major sporting events, music concerts, comedy series, Broadway shows, original programming featuring entertainment’s biggest stars, socially relevant documentaries with audience Q&A and much more. Fathom Events takes audiences behind-the-scenes and offers unique extras, creating the ultimate entertainment experience. It is owned by a consortium called AC JV, LLC., comprised of AMC Entertainment Inc. (NYSE: AMC), Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK) and Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE: RGC), the three largest movie theater circuits in the United States. In addition, Fathom Events’ live digital broadcast network (“DBN”) is the largest cinema broadcast network in North America, bringing live events to 820 locations in 177 Designated Market Areas® (including all of the top 50). For more information, visitwww.fathomevents.com.
About Mayweather Promotions
Appropriately based in the entertainment capital of the world, Las Vegas, Mayweather Promotions was established in 2007 by 12-Time World Champion and currently undefeated boxing icon, Floyd “Money” Mayweather. Mayweather Promotions seamlessly promotes all forms of live entertainment including sporting events, live musical and theatrical events as well as film and television productions. Mayweather Promotions is poised to break more records, generate more revenue, and chase excellence as it incrementally solidifies itself as the past, present & future of sports & entertainment. For more information go to www.mayweatherpromotions.com.

Q&A WITH TOP UNBEATEN  HEAVYWEIGHT PROSPECT TREVOR BRYAN AS HE PREPARES TO FACE VETERAN DERRIC ROSSY THIS FRIDAY ON SHOWTIME®

 

“I’m a young fighter coming up who is trying to take the old dog out of his misery.” –Trevor Bryan

 

 

 

ShoBox: The New Generation LIVE on SHOWTIME

This Friday, Aug. 28 at 11 p.m. ET/PT From “The D” in Las Vegas

 

LAS VEGAS (Aug. 24, 2015) – Promising up-and-coming heavyweight Trevor “The Dream” Bryan (15-0, 11 KOs) will put his unblemished record on the line when he faces his toughest opponent to date, experienced Derric Rossy (30-9, 14 KOs), in the 10-round heavyweight matchup in the main event of this Friday’s ShoBox: The New Generation tripleheader live onSHOWTIME (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

 

Bryan, who is making his ShoBox debut, is looking to establish himself in the heavyweight division after a standout amateur career in which he won five national championships in just 60 bouts. Since his debut at 22 in November 2011, the 6-foot-4 heavyweight, who recently turned 26, has registered 10 of his 11 knockout victories in three rounds or less.

 

Here’s what Bryan had to say:

 

How would you say your career is going?

 

“My career is going great. I can’t wait for this great heavyweight fight. Rossy is a guy who is on his last leg and I’m a young fighter coming up who is trying to take the old dog out of his misery.”

 

What type of role did your amateur career play in preparing you as a professional?

 

“My amateur career played a huge role in my development as a boxer. Attending all the national tournaments and fighting against top athletes from all over the world played a big role in my professional career. I have seen all different styles of fighting. I also went to several sparring camps in my amateur career and have sparred against Wladimir Klitschko andGuillermo Jones, among other champions.”

 

Some people chalk up your undefeated record to the fact that you haven’t faced any tough opposition. That will change when you face battle-tested veteran Derric Rossy. How are you preparing for the toughest test of your career?

 

“I’ve been doing everything that is physically possible to get ready for this fight. I stay in the gym and work hard. I have a great work ethic and have a great team around me. I feel confident and know that I will come out with the victory. The hours that I have put in the gym will pay off. I am in fantastic shape, I let my hands go, I have one of the best jabs in the division. I’m ready to show the world what a wonderful fight this is going to be.”

 

Although you won your last fight against Stacy Frazier, you were knocked down for the first time in your career. What did you learn in that fight?

 

“I touched the canvas for the first time in my career. It was a great learning experience for me. We know that it only takes one punch in the heavyweight division. I went into the fight with confidence. I threw a punch and was off balance, he countered me with a great shot and it woke me up and reminded me that it only takes one punch to end a fight. I learned to not play around, but instead to set the pace and see if my opponent can hang with me in the ring. The great champions are the guys who get knocked down and are able to get back up and finish the fight.

 

“I feel like I am world championship material. I learned a lot in the Frazier fight and I’m going to make sure that this will never happen again.”

 

How did you get into boxing?

 

“I was originally a football and basketball player. I came from a tough area in Albany, N.Y., and I never had any guidance growing up. I owe my career to my amateur boxing coach who was the hall monitor at the middle school I was attending. From day one he looked at me and said that he saw a champion in me. Every single day from then on, he tried to get me in the gym to train. This was when I was 11 years old; I was very arrogant and didn’t understand why I should be fighting in a ring when I could instead be fighting in the streets. That’s the mentality I had.

 

“One day I decided to go in for a workout and it was the greatest workout I have ever had. I was so tired after that workout that I had to call my mom to have her pick me up, I was so fatigued. From then on I have been in the gym every single day, and here I am today, a product of all my hard work and perseverance. I have a dream for myself that I want to be world champion and I’m not going to stop until I get it.”

 

What is it like being promoted by Don King knowing his history as a promoter, especially with his success with heavyweights similar to yourself?

“Don King is the greatest promoter in the world. He is not going anywhere. He started this boxing thing and I want to be a part of that history. The first time I met him he gave me a pamphlet of all the world champions he had. From that day on I knew I wanted to be involved with him. He has told me to work hard and not expect anything to be given to me.”

 

Do you look at an American heavyweight like Deontay Wilder as an inspiration? What type of impact does someone like him have on you and your career?

 

“Deontay is definitely an inspiration for me. I knew him in 2008 when I was getting him ready for the Olympic Games and just to see him from that point to now being a world champion; it definitely gives younger heavyweights the inspiration and extra desire. It’s hard to get there, but it’s even harder to stay there. No offense to Deontay, but there’s a young heavyweight coming up that’s hungry just like him—me. We will see how long he is able to hold the title. It is great to once again see an American heavyweight back on top.”

 

How did sparring with veteran, former champions like Guillermo Jones help you? 

 

“Guillermo Jones had so many different styles and different things he was able to do in the ring. He taught me that I couldn’t be one-dimensional and it was great to have that experience. I knew that for me to do my best, I must be able to do different things. He was bringing it to me and I had to harness all my strengths in order to compete with him.”

 

You are making your ShoBox debut, what does that mean to you?

 

“It’s mind-blowing. I finally have my chance. For me as the heavyweight to be the main event, it’s a dream come true. I’m ready to show people what I’m doing in my reality. I do not take this opportunity for granted, I have trained so hard and I’m ready to go.”

 

Your prediction?

 

“After I lay that big jab on him during the first three rounds, I think I should loosen him up by the fifth or sixth round. We’ll see if it goes past the sixth round.”

 

 

In an eight-rounder that will open the telecast, Samoa’s 6-foot-2, 280-pound heavyweight Natu “The Truth” Visinia (11-1, 9 KOs) of Tacoma, Wash., will face 5-foot-10, 235-pound Joey “The Tank” Dawejko (14-4-2, 7 KOs), of Philadelphia.

 

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

 

 

# # #

 

About ShoBox: The New Generation
Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 62 fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Omar Figueroa, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more.

 

About the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center

Located at the corner of Third St. and Carson Ave. across from the D Las Vegas, the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center can accommodate up to 11,000 guests and features state-of-the-art stage, sound and lighting. The open-air design is inviting to both tourists and locals and offers the perfect spot for concerts, conventions and other large-scale events. Embracing the uninhibited spirit of Downtown Las Vegas, the new venue plays host to a line-up of curated events including premier concerts, food festivals and more. The venue is also the first entertainment arena in Las Vegas to accept Bitcoin as currency. For more information, visit www.dlvec.com or follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @DLVEC.

 

About the D Las Vegas

The D Las Vegas delivers the fresh, energetic attitude and fun atmosphere synonymous with downtown Las Vegas. The new casino hotel boasts 629 remodeled rooms and suites and a unique two-level casino feature modern and vintage floors. Cocktails, beer and frozen beverages abound inside the casino at LONGBAR and on the Fremont Street Experience at D Bar. The D offers contemporary American fare at D Grill, Detroit’s legendary Coney Dogs at American Coney Island and premium steaks and authentic Italian dishes at Joe Vicari’s Andiamo Italian Steakhouse. The Showroom at the D Las Vegas features outstanding entertainment ranging from award-winning dinner theater and Broadway productions to music, comedy and more. Follow the D on Facebook and Twitter at @theDLasVegas.

 

 

ROMAN MARTINEZ vs. ORLANDO SALIDO I “THE WAR” FULL FIGHT AVAILABLE ONLINE IN ADVANCE OF “HIGH STAKES” REMATCH ON SATURDAY, SEPT. 12 ON SHOWTIME PPV®

 
Click HERE To Watch Martinez-Salido I On The SHOWTIME Sports® YouTube Page:http://s.sho.com/1K5XnVv
 
 
“THE WAR” – Roman Martinez vs. Orlando Salido I – is available via SHOWTIME Sports YouTube page in advance of their upcoming rematch on the undercard of the Floyd Mayweather vs. Andre Berto Welterweight World Championship taking place Saturday, Sept. 12, live on SHOWTIME PPV (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT) from MGM Grand in Las Vegas.  A leading candidate for the 2015 Fight of the Year, Martinez and Salido brawled over 12 action-packed rounds on April 11 in Puerto Rico, with hometown favorite Martinez dethroning Mexican champion Salido of his WBO Junior Lightweight crown.  Martinez knocked Salido down multiple times to begin his third reign as 130-pound champion.
“HIGH STAKES: Mayweather vs. Berto,” a 12-round welterweight world championship bout for Mayweather’s WBC and WBA 147-pound titles, is promoted by Mayweather Promotions LLC.  The event will take place Saturday, September 12 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas and will be televised by SHOWTIME PPV.  The undercard features a WBO Junior Lightweight World Championship fight, which is a rematch between Roman Martinez and Orlando Salido.  Also featured on the pay-per-view telecast will be a WBC Super Middleweight title bout between Badou Jack and George Groves, which is promoted in association with Team Sauerland. The opening PPV bout pits former world champion Jhonny Gonzalez against Puerto Rico’s Jonathan Oquendo in a 10-round junior lightweight bout.

MEXICAN POWER-PUNCHER & FORMER THREE-TIME WORLD CHAMPION JHONNY GONZALEZ TAKES ON PUERTO RICO’S JONATHAN OQUENDO TO ROUND OUT MAYWEATHER VS. BERTO STACKED FOUR-FIGHT SHOWTIME PPV® TELECAST LIVE FROM THE MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA IN LAS VEGAS 8 P.M. ET/5 P.M. PT

 
Tickets Are On Sale Now!
 
LAS VEGAS (August 20, 2015) – Former three-time world champion and Mexican power-puncher Jhonny Gonzalez (58-9, 49 KOs) will take on Puerto Rico’s Jonathan “Polvo” Oquendo (25-4, 16 KOs) in a 10-round junior lightweight showdown that will open up HIGH STAKES: Floyd Mayweather vs. Andre Berto, the live, four-fight, SHOWTIME PPV® event on Saturday, September 12 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions LLC., are priced at $1,500, $1,000, $750, $500, $300 and $150 and are on sale now. Tickets are limited to eight (8) per household for all ticket prices except the $150 ticket category, which is limited to four (4) per household. To charge by phone or with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
“This will be an attractive fight for the fans as we all know that the sporting rivalry between Mexico and Puerto Rico always generates great battles,” said Gonzalez. “Oquendo is a fighter who always goes forward and who likes to exchange blows.  I will demonstrate that I have the desire to return to the top and fight for a world championship. Participating on a Floyd Mayweather event is a great opportunity for me and I will make the most of it.”
“This opportunity against Jhonny Gonzalez is very important because I will face a former world champion and will be part of a great show headlined by Floyd Mayweather,” said Oquendo. “It’s an honor for me to be part of the undercard of this event. I’m excited to share the stage with my countryman Rocky Martinez, who also has a big fight against Orlando Salido, so there are two wars between Puerto Rico and Mexico. We are training hard to get in top condition for this fight.”
“Boxing fans are in for a great night of action from start to finish with the addition of the Jhonny Gonzalez vs. Jonathan Oquendo matchup,” said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. “This will be another chapter in the Mexico vs. Puerto Rico boxing rivalry. I have no doubt that both men will leave it all in the ring on September 12 and live up to the historic event.”
The main event features the final fight in the extraordinary career of boxing’s pound-for-pound king Floyd “Money” Mayweather (48-0, 26 KOs) as he takes on former two-time welterweight champion Andre Berto (30-3, 23 KOs) in a 12-round battle for Mayweather’s WBC and WBA 147-pound titles. Mayweather will look to match the 49-0 mark of late heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano and reaffirm his claim as “The Best Ever.”
Two stellar world championship fights will also be included on the pay-per-view telecast.
Roman “Rocky” Martinez (29-2-2, 17 KOs) will risk his WBO Junior Lightweight title in a rematch against the boxer he dethroned, four-time world champion Orlando “Siri” Salido (42-13-2, 29 KOs). Their first fight in April of this year is considered by many to be a leading candidate for Fight of the Year. In addition, Badou Jack “The Ripper” (19-1-1, 12 KOs) will make the first defense of his WBC Super Middleweight World title against mandatory challenger “Saint” George Groves (21-2, 16 KOs).
With the Gonzalez vs. Oquendo fight added to the jam-packed SHOWTIME PPV telecast, boxing fans are in for a night of action from top to bottom that features two more additions to the Mexico vs. Puerto Rico boxing rivalry, three world championship fights and the final bout of the greatest fighter of this generation.
One of the best Mexican fighters of this era, Mexico City’s Gonzalezhas held world championships at 118 and 126 pounds, defeating the likes of Hall-of-Famer Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson and former world champions Fernando Montiel, Irene Pacheco, and Hozumi Hasegawa along the way. His most recent championship winning performance came via a stunning first round knockout of three-division champion Abner Mares which earned him the WBC Featherweight World Title. He would defend the title twice before losing to Gary Russell Jr. but the 33-year-old bounced back earlier this month by knocking out Kazuki Hashimoto.
A top contender from Bayamon, Puerto Rico Oquendo has won 11 of his last 13 fights, including his most recent victory over Gabino Cota in March. The 32-year-old owns victories over Joe Luis Araiza, Eden Sonsona, Alejandro Montiel and top prospect Guillermo Avila. He will fight for the sixth time in his career at MGM Grand when he enters the ring on September 12.
#          #          #
“HIGH STAKES: Mayweather vs. Berto,”a 12-round welterweight world championship bout for Mayweather’s WBC and WBA 147-pound titles, is promoted by Mayweather Promotions LLC.  The event will take place Saturday, September 12 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas and will be televised by SHOWTIME PPV.  The undercard features a WBO Junior Lightweight World Championship fight, which is a rematch between Roman Martinez and Orlando Salido.  Also featured on the pay-per-view  telecast will be a WBC Super Middleweight title bout between Badou Jack and George Groves, which is promoted in association with Team Sauerland. The opening PPV bout pits former world champion Jhonny Gonzalez against Puerto Rico’s Jonathan Oquendo in a 10-round junior lightweight bout.
For more information visit www.mayweatherpromotions.comwww.SHO.com/Sports andwww.mgmgrand.com and follow on Twitter at @floydmayweather, @AndreBerto, @BadouJack, @StGeorgeGroves, @Romancito77, @sirisalido, @jhonnygbox, @JonathanOquen @mayweatherpromo, @SHOSports and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FloydMayweather,www.Facebook.com/TheRealAndreBerto,www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions and www.facebook.com/SHOsports

After 31 second knockout, Dawejko looks forward to ShoBox date with Visinia on August 28 

Philadelphia, PA (August 18, 2015)– On August 7 at Ballys in Atlantic City, Joey Dawejko made quick work of Robert Dunton to the tune of 31 second-1 punch stoppage and now the Philadelphia Heavyweight looks to an August 28 showdown with good friend Natu Visinia in a bout scheduled for 8-rounds at The D Las Vegas.  The bout will be televised live on ShoBox: The New Generation.
Just days after the win over Dunton, Dawejko boarded a plane with trainer Buddy McGirt and assistant trainer Greg Hackett and went right back to work to begin preparations for the fight with Visinia.
“We took that fight just to get Joey back in a winning frame of mind.  After the fight with Amir Mansour, Buddy began correcting went wrong in that fight.  The Mansour fight was the first fight with Buddy and by the time August 28 comes around, Joey and Buddy will basically been working for 10 straight weeks.  I believe that the familiarity will produce the results that we are looking for,” said Dawejko’s manager Mark Cipparone of Club 1957 Management.
“This is a very important fight for Joey.  He knows that this is the next opportunity to prove that he is a top Heavyweight contender on national television.  It is also important because he is a promotional free agent and we have a couple of nice deals already presented to us and a good win over a tough opponent in Natu is another way to showcase himself to all those who are interested.”
Joey Dawejko
Joey Dawejko

SHOWTIME SPORTS® TO OFFER FANS A CHANCE TO RELIVE FLOYD MAYWEATHER’S BEST ALL ACCESS MOMENTS & WIN A VIP TRIP TO MAYWEATHER vs. BERTO IN LAS VEGAS

ALL ACCESS Mayweather Moments Sweepstakes To Let Fans Decide Their Favorite Moment From The Emmy Award-Winning Series

 

www.mayweathermoments.com

Photo Credit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

 

ALL ACCESS Mayweather Moments Sweepstakes will offer fans a chance to relive some unforgettable moments from the Emmy® Award-winning series ALL ACCESS and the opportunity to win a VIP trip to theSept. 12 showdown between Floyd Mayweather and Andre Berto at MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

 

The bracket sweepstakes from SHOWTIME Sports celebrates the sixth and final fight of a record-breaking deal between Mayweather and Showtime Networks Inc., as Mayweather takes on Berto in what is expected to be the last bout of his Hall of Fame career.

 

SHOWTIME Sports will support the historic Sept. 12 event with the latest installment of ALL ACCESS.  The first of multiple episodes ofALL ACCESS: MAYWEATHER vs. BERTO premieres on Friday, Aug. 28 at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT, immediately prior to the live presentation ofShoBox: The New Generation.

 

With ALL ACCESS Mayweather Moments Sweepstakes, fans can choose their favorite moments from the flashy and unpredictable pound-for-pound champ.  Highlights from the bracket challenge include Mayweather throwing verbal jabs at Canelo Alvarez before dismantling him in the ring in their 2013 showdown, Mayweather overlooking his adopted hometown of Las Vegas from a helicopter and “Money” practicing yoga as only he can – surrounded by $100 bills.

 

ALL ACCESS earned a Sports Emmy for the second consecutive year this May, taking home the honors for “Outstanding Sports Documentary Series” at the 36th Annual Sports Emmy Award ceremony in New York City.

 

The revealing documentary series, which chronicles the buildup and aftermath of boxing’s biggest prizefights, won its first Sports Emmy at the 2014 ceremony for Outstanding Edited Sports Event Coverage with“ALL ACCESS: Mayweather vs. Canelo Epilogue.”

 

Mayweather (48-0, 26 KOs) will put his undefeated record on the line against the all-action Berto (30-3, 23 KOs), a world-class welterweight and veteran of eight world title fights who has long been considered a potential opponent for Mayweather.  If triumphant, Mayweather would match the record of the late heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano, who retired in April 1956 with a record of 49-0.

 

For a full list of rules, restrictions and details, visithttps://mayweathermoments.com.