“Christina não sabe o que está vindo para ela. Eu vou quebrar esse martelo pela metade” – Shields
Clique AQUI para fotos de Jose Pineiro / SHOWTIME WBC, WBA & IBF campeão dos médios Claressa Shields se prepara para Undisputed Championship Middleweight confronto contra Christina Martelo sábado, Abril 13 Vivo no canal Showtime®
MIAMI(Abril 4, 2019) – WBA, WBC e IBF Middleweight Campeão do MundoClaressa Shieldsorganizou um treino de mídia na 5th Street Gym em Miami quinta-feira como ela se aproxima de seu confronto contra WBO Campeão do MundoChristina Martelo para o campeonato mundial dos médios indiscutível sábado ABRIL 13 viver no canal Showtime de Boardwalk Hall em Atlantic City, N.J.
O duas vezes medalhista de ouro olímpico Shields e do martelo invicto vai olhar para se tornar o sexto lutador na história a unificar todos os quatro títulos principais do mundo no evento principal de um Showtime Boxing: EDIÇÃO ESPECIAL (9 p.m. ET / PT).
Os ingressos para o evento ao vivo, que é promovido pela Promoções Salita, custam $150, $100, $55 e $35 e pode ser comprado através da Ticketmaster e naboardwalkhall.com.
Shields vem treinando na Flórida para a última semana com seu instrutor John David Jackson, depois de passar os últimos cinco semanas no U.S. Centro de Treinamento Olímpico em Colorado. Aqui está o que Shields tinha a dizer quinta-feira:
Claressa Shields
“Christina não sabe o que está vindo para ela. Eu vou quebrar esse martelo pela metade.
“Quando estamos lá, é sobre quem golpes mais duros. Esta é uma luta real. Só porque ela tem altura, não significa que ela vai ditar o que acontece. Ela vai ter que fazer muito para me manter fora dela.
“Eu tenho duas medalhas de ouro olímpicas, três cintos e mais próximos. Eu vou ter todos os títulos no final da noite de abril 13.
"Eu trabalho duro, muito difícil. Se eu era um homem, Eu provavelmente seria um dos mais famosos pugilistas lá fora. Há uma diferença entre os sexos. Nós todos sabemos que. Eu estou trabalhando para mudar isso. Nós trabalhamos duro, temos menos dinheiro e menos reconhecimento, mas o mundo está mudando. Estamos mudando-lo.
“Hammer foi falar de beijos, mas não estou preocupado com ela. Estou pronto para uma luta. Ela fala sobre um monte de coisas que não tem nada a ver com o boxe. Eu estou esperando por ela para dizer que ela vai me bater com um uppercut ou algo, mas é mais do mesmo.
“Estar aqui na Flórida para terminar o acampamento foi realmente ideal. Eu ainda tenho trabalhado muito duro, mas aqui eu tenho um pouco de espaço extra e sol. Era hora de um novo cenário no campo e acho que isso foi o movimento perfeito para me levar para a semana de luta.
“Eu tenho trabalhado em meu‘Shuffle Ali,’Este ginásio me inspirou. Não se surpreenda se você ver-me quebrá-lo durante a luta. Eu tenho alguns truques na manga. Na conferência de imprensa, haverá algumas surpresas também - eu tenho um equipamento escolhido que vai roubar o show “.
“Esta luta é muito atrasada e eu estou feliz que eu vou conseguir minha chance de mostrar o que um verdadeiro campeão é. Alguém está indo para baixo em abril 13 e eu prometo que não vai ser eu.
“As pessoas podem dizer que eles não estão prestando atenção em você e não estudando você, mas eles estão mentindo. Estou feliz que ela está olhando para mim de perto embora. Martelo voou um dos meus amigos lá fora para ser um parceiro de treino, nem mesmo sabendo que ela não me brigaram em anos e não sabe nada sobre mim. Faz-me saber que eu estou em sua mente. Ela pode treinar com Ann Wolfe e ela ainda não vai me bater “.
# # #
SOBRE SHIELDS vs. MARTELO
Shields vs. Martelo vai colocar campeões mundiais médios invicto Claressa Shields e martelo Christina uns contra os outros em uma batalha para coroar o campeão mundial indiscutível 160 libras, em que é indiscutivelmente evento de boxe das mulheres mais importantes na história. O co-metragem vai colocar Jermaine Franklin assumir Rydell Booker em um ataque pesado 10 rodada emocionante e na abertura da cerimônia, pesos pesados Otto Wallin e Nick Kisner vão disputar em confronto 10 rodada. A Showtime Boxing: tripleheader SPECIAL EDITION será transmitido ao vivo no canal Showtime em 9 p.m. ET / PT de Boardwalk Hall em Atlantic City, N.J.
UNBEATEN RISING HEAVYWEIGHTS JERMAINE FRANKLIN & OTTO WALLIN TALK UPCOMING BOUTS & ROAD TO HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Franklin Battles Rydell Booker While Wallin Faces Nick Kisner Live on SHOWTIME® Sábado, Abril 13 Leading Up to Claressa Shields vs. Christina Hammer Main Event from Boardwalk Hall em Atlantic City, N.J.
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (Abril 3, 2019) – Unbeaten rising heavyweight contendersJermaine Franklin e Otto Wallin will be looking to make a splash and announce themselves in the heavyweight division when they step in for separate bouts live on SHOWTIME Saturday, Abril 13 de Boardwalk Hall em Atlantic City.
A Showtime Boxing: SPECIAL EDITION tripleheader will air beginning at 9 p.m. ET/PT and is headlined by Claressa Shields battling Christina Hammer for the undisputed women’s middleweight championship.
Franklin will face Rydell Booker while Wallin takes on Nick Kisner in a pair of 10-round attractions leading up to the main event. For both Franklin and Wallin, they see April 13 as a step towards their larger goals.
“Booker is in the way of where I’m eventually trying to be,” disse Franklin. “I’m part of that next generation of heavyweights and I’m working hard to end up as the heavyweight champion when the dust settles. I always find a way to win and I’m going to show it on April 13.”
“Coming to the U.S. for the second part of my career is very exciting,” said Wallin. “I’ve accomplished a lot in my career in Europe but this is a new beginning. This is the moment I’ve been dreaming of since I first laced up mitts and I can’t wait to introduce myself to the fans here.”
A 25-year-old from Saginaw, Michigan, Franklin hopes to show that he’s primed to become the next American heavyweight champion, and is ready to take the mantle from current WBC titlist Deontay Wilder and the long line of American heavyweight champions that came before him.
“I’m going to raise the competition amongst the heavyweights,” disse Franklin. “The division is definitely back on the map and I’m planning on having a hand in making it must-watch TV once again. America needs another face in the heavyweight division and that’s going to be me.
“I already believe that I am the best heavyweight in the world. There are a lot of big, strong heavyweights, but I’m a balanced athlete, which makes me different. Eu sou forte, rápido, athletic and getting better with each fight.”
Although his native Sweden is not known for boxing, Wallin’s home country has previously produced a heavyweight champion in Ingemar Johansson, who famously stopped Floyd Patterson in their first fight at Yankee Stadium in 1959. After defeating fellow Swedish heavyweight Adrian Granat in his last fight, Wallin decided it was time to fight in the U.S., following previous training camps in New York with trainer Joey Gamache.
“Training here in New York brings me a great energy and it shows in my performance,” said Wallin. “It’s the center of the world, and while I’m fully focused on training, I feed off the energy of the city.
“Ingemar Johansson is of course a big inspiration for me. When he came to the U.S. and beat Floyd Patterson, he was the baddest man on the planet. I’m looking to take that mantle and become a hero for young Swedish boxers, just like he has been for me.”
In addition to being Wallin’s U.S. estréia, the unbeaten heavyweights will make their first appearances on SHOWTIME and it will be Franklin’s first time fighting in the northeast. They each hope to show off their respective talents and are prepared for what comes with the increased platform.
“This is a great chance for me to showcase my skills, but I still treat it like just another fight,” disse Franklin. “I’m going to adapt to my opponent and expose his weaknesses. I’m always improving because once you think you know it all, that’s when you find out you know nothing.”
“I’m just a kid from a small town in Sweden and I’ve worked hard to get to this point,” said Wallin. “Training here in the U.S. and fighting here is going to help me put on the best performance of my career. The fun begins on April 13 and I’m not stopping until I am champion.”
Both recently signed with Dmitriy Salita’s Salita Promotions and on April 13 will begin a year that could leave each fighter on the precipice of a title shot.
“Em abril 13 two of the best heavyweight in the world, one from the U.S., one from Sweden, will both have a chance to make a claim that they are ready to challenge for the heavyweight title,” Disse Palavra.
“Jermaine Franklin is by far the best American heavyweight prospect who is soon to be a contender and a champion. He will have a great opportunity to showcase his skills and worth against the experienced, hungry and accomplished Rydell Booker.
“Boxing is a sport of individual stories and Otto Wallin is a great example of that. A top-rated heavyweight from a small town in Sweden, he is showing that dreams, combined with hard work, can come true. He is one of the best heavyweight contenders from Europe and on April 13 he will show that he belongs with the elite in the U.S.”
With this opportunity to announce themselves in the resurgent heavyweight division, Franklin and Wallin are keyed for eye-opening performances next Saturday.
“My ultimate goal is to become world champion and I believe right now I’m on the right path,” said Wallin, que está classificado n. 5 by the IBF and WBA. “I had good years fighting in Europe, but now is the time for me to go to the next level. I can’t wait to show everyone what I’m all about and give the fans great fights.”
“I’m planning to be a major force in the heavyweight division by the end of the year,” disse Franklin. “It’s my coming out party. I feel like my dreams are going to come true. I’m going to show everyone who I am: the best new heavyweight in the world.”
Os ingressos para o evento ao vivo, que é promovido pela Promoções Salita, custam $150, $100, $55 e $35 e pode ser comprado através da Ticketmaster e naboardwalkhall.com.
# # #
SOBRE SHIELDS vs. MARTELO Shields vs. Martelo vai colocar campeões mundiais médios invicto Claressa Shields e martelo Christina uns contra os outros em uma batalha para coroar o campeão mundial indiscutível 160 libras, em que é indiscutivelmente evento de boxe das mulheres mais importantes na história. O co-metragem vai colocar Jermaine Franklin assumir Rydell Booker em um ataque pesado 10 rodada emocionante e na abertura da cerimônia, pesos pesados Otto Wallin e Nick Kisner vão disputar em confronto 10 rodada. A Showtime Boxing: tripleheader SPECIAL EDITION será transmitido ao vivo no canal Showtime em 9 p.m. ET / PT de Boardwalk Hall em Atlantic City, N.J.
LAS VEGAS – April 1, 2019 – Unbeaten 122-pound prospectAngelo Leoand FilipinoNeil Tabanaotalk training camp just days away from theirShoBox: A Nova Geraçãomain event showdown Friday, Abril 5 vivo no canal Showtime (10 p.m. ET / PT) a partir de Sam’s Town Live em Las Vegas.
O ShoBoxtripleheader co-feature will see unbeaten super featherweight prospectXavier Martinez (13-0, 9 KOs) squaring off against experienced FilipinoJohn Moralde(21-2, 11 KOs) in a 10-round bout and undefeated Mayweather Promotions’ 130-pound prospectAndres Cortes (10-0, 6 KOs) revestimento Jahmal Dyer (9-1, 5 KOs) in an eight-round bout in the telecast opener.
Leão, (16-0, 8 KOs), who started boxing at the age of eight, has dreams of emulating his biggest boxing inspiration, Roberto Duran, by one day becoming a world champion. He draws inspiration not only from Duran’s aggressiveness in the ring, but also from his tactical fighting style. The 24-year-old from Albuquerque, N.m. has sparred with elite boxers such as Leo Santa Cruz, Jessie Magdaleno, Nonito Donaire, and Tomoki Kameda and assures he is more than prepared to withstand Tabanao on April 5.
Tabanao, 25, made his pro debut in 2012 in his home country of the Philippines. He will make his television debut this week as he looks to move up the super bantamweight ranks. Tabanao won the WBO Oriental Featherweight Title in 2016 with a third-round technical knockout of Ibrahim Balla to then lose it to former 122-pound world champion Issac Dogboe. He suffered two consecutive defeats after losing to Dogboe but has admirably rebounded by winning his last four bouts.
Here is what the fighters had to share ahead of their matchup:
On what they know about their opponent:
Leão:“Tabanao is definitely not a pushover. Ele tem 17 vitórias e 11 of those by knockout, so we definitely know that he can punch. I’ve seen a video of him, he likes to counter off the high guard. He’s fought a former world champion, Isaac Dogboe, and went the distance with him. Assim, he is a tough competitor for sure, but I think with my boxing and ring IQ, I can get the victory.”
Tabanao:“Angelo Leo is a good fighter. We need to use a good strategy to win this fight—and we have it. We trained very hard targeting his weaknesses. He’s in for a surprise this Friday.”
On what a win from this fight will do for their career:
Leão:“A win over Neil Tabanao will probably set me up for another 10-round fight and after that I will hopefully be competing on a world title eliminator. I think in the next two or three fights I’ll get a world title shot.”
Tabanao: “I want to be recognized in the world of boxing. Leo is a step towards that goal. He doesn’t know what he’s in for.”
No acampamento de treinamento:
Leão:“I had a very good training camp. I have a very good team. Meu pai, is my head trainer, he is the one in charge. Luis Chavez is my other trainer. He lives in New Mexico trainer and comes down when I fight. Steve Cartledge and John Sinclair are helping me with my strength and conditioning. We started increasing the rounds in my sparring and we are trying to get the conditioning up as well. I have been training super hard for this fight. I feel that I’m in tip-top shape.”
Tabanao: “I had a good training camp. I trained with my coach Sonny Dollente at Mabuhay Boxing Camp at Dujali Davao del Norte in The Philippines. We worked hard on perfecting our strategy; we are ready to counter whatever Leo may do on Friday night.”
Qual é a sensação de lutar em rede nacional?
Leão:“It feels like a dream come true to fight on national television. I’ve been working so hard for this moment. Finalmente, I get to show everybody who I am and what better way to do it than as the main event on TV. I’m going to take full advantage of this opportunity. Everyone will see what I’m all about.”
Tabanao:“It means a lot to me to be able to fight on national television. I hope this is the first of many televised fights. I want to become a renowned and successful boxer to be able help my family. I’m determined to do it.”
Viktor Postol And France’s Mohamed Mimoune Battle in 140-Pound Title Eliminator Plus Rising Heavyweight Sensation Efe Ajagba Meets Once-Beaten Michael Wallisch onSHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®Tripleheader
Presented by Premier Boxing Champions from The Chelsea Inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
Tickets on Sale Monday, Abril 1!
LAS VEGAS – (Março 29, 2019) – Former lightweight world championRobert Páscoa Jr.and former two-division championRances Barthelemy will meet for the vacant WBA Lightweight Title on Saturday, Abril 27 live on SHOWTIME from The Chelsea inside of The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING coverage begins at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT and will also feature former super lightweight championViktor Postol taking on France’sMohamed Mimounein a WBC super lightweight title eliminator, while rising heavyweight sensationEfe Ajagba looks to remain unbeaten against once-beaten GermanMichael Wallisch em um 10-redondas atração pesado.
Easter vs. Barthelemy pits two highly skilled and explosive former 135-pound champions against each other as they look to grab a title and vault themselves back into the top echelon of the lightweight division.
Easter will return to the ring for the first time since losing his IBF title in a unification showdown with WBC Champion and pound-for-pound great Mikey Garcia last July on SHOWTIME. Barthelemy is undefeated at 135 pounds and returns to the lightweight division for his second fight since losing a 140-pound title rematch to Kiryl Relikh last March on SHOWTIME.
“Two former champions looking to reclaim their championship status speaks for itself in terms of the action and will to win that Easter and Barthelemy will bring on April 27,” disse Leonard Ellerbe, CEO de Promoções Mayweather. “Both guys have already proven that they have what it takes to take care of business at this level. The eliminator bout, with Postol bringing his experience and Mohamed looking to take advantage of the opportunity, is a great lead-in to the main event attraction. Mais, Efe Ajagba will bring his A+ game in pursuit of a victory over Michael Wallisch. The fans in attendance at the Cosmopolitanhere in Las Vegas, and tuning in on SHOWTIME, are in for a treat.”
“Easter vs. Barthelemy is a true 50-50 fight that will end with one of these fighters leaving the ring with one of the top spots in the lightweight division,” disse Tom Brown, Presidente da TGB Promoções. “Both are former world champions at lightweight and possess the styles and attributes that should make this an action-packed match. Combined with a very competitive title eliminator between Viktor Postol and Mohamed Mimoune, plus the can’t-miss punching power of Efe Ajagba, this is going to be a dramatic night on SHOWTIME and at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas.”
Os ingressos para o evento ao vivo, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions in association with About Billions Promotions, go on sale Monday, Abril 1, e pode ser comprado em www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.comor through Ticketmaster.
The 28-year-old Easter (21-1, 14 KOs) won the IBF Lightweight Championship in 2016 by edging an exciting split-decision against then-unbeaten and current IBF titleholder Richard Commey. After two successful title defenses in his hometown of Toledo, Ohio, Easter defeated former champion Javier Fortuna by decision in a January 2018 fight in SHOWTIME.
That victory set up a unification with WBC champion Mikey Garcia, in which Easter survived an early knockdown to push Garcia the full 12 rounds before coming up short on the scorecards. At 5-foot-11, Easter has continued to show the combination of size, skill and athleticism that made him a highly regarded prospect following an amateur career that featured a spot as an alternate on the 2012 U.S. Time olímpico.
“I’ve wanted to fight Barthelemy since he had the lightweight title and vacated it, and now I have the chance,” Disse Páscoa. “He has an awkward style and I’m up for that challenge. I am still coming in as the taller fighter with a reach advantage and I’ll use it to make this fight go how I want it to. He is a former world champion and he is coming to bring it just like I am.”
A decorated Cuban amateur who hails from a boxing family that includes his older brother, Olympic Gold Medalist Yan, and younger brother, unbeaten featherweight Leduan, Rances Barthelemy (27-1, 14 KOs) will return to lightweight to vie against one of the best fighters in the division. The 32-year-old now trains in Las Vegas and previously captured a 135-pound belt by defeating Denis Shafikov in December 2015.
Barthelemy won a 130-pound championship by defeating Argenis Mendez in 2014 and attempted to become the first Cuban three-division champion when he moved up to 140-pounds for his first fight against Relikh, a title eliminator that he won by decision. After dropping the rematch to Relikh in a vacant title fight on SHOWTIME, Barthelemy returned to the ring in December and stopped Robert Frankel.
“I’m looking forward to a great fight against Robert Easter Jr,” Disse Barthelemy. “I know I have what it takes to beat him and capture another title and become a three-time world champ. My best performances have come at 135 libras. Both of us are former world champions who are hungry and will give the fans a sensational night of boxing. I’ve never lost at lightweight and that will continue on April 27. Don’t miss this fight on SHOWTIME. It’s now or never!”
Originally from Ukraine, but now fighting out of Los Angeles, Postol (30-2, 12 KOs) previously earned a 140-pound world title by knocking out Lucas Matthysse in 2015. The 35-year-old dropped the title in a unification showdown with Terence Crawford in 2016 before bouncing back by defeating then unbeaten Jamshidbek Najmiddinov. Last June he dropped a decision to unbeaten contender Josh Taylor and most recently he defeated Siar Ozgul in November.
The 31-year-old Mimoune (21-2, 2 KOs) tem lutado profissionalmente desde 2010 e estará fazendo sua U.S. debut against Postol on April 27. Representing Haute-Garonne, França, ele está invicto em sua última 10 lutas que datam 2014. His last five victories have come in 12-round decisions, including two last year over then unbeaten Emiliano Dominguez and most recently against Franck Petitjean.
Nigeria’s Ajagba (9-0, 8 KOs) gained notoriety last August 24 when his opponent, Curtis Harper, walked out of the ring after touching gloves to start the first round. The 24-year-old, 2016 Nigerian Olympian won the fight without throwing a punch as Harper was disqualified. In his last fight Ajagba, who lives in Stafford, Texas and trains with Ronnie Shields, defeated his toughest competition to date by stopping longtime contender Amir Mansour after two rounds.
Lutando fora de Munique, Alemanha, Wallisch (19-1, 12 KOs) won his first 19 pro fights after turning pro in 2010, including a German heavyweight title-winning performance in 2013 against Alexander Kahl. The 33-year-old fought three times last year, picking up two knockout victories before losing to Christian Hammer in December.
Sábado, Abril 13 do Boardwalk Hall em Atlantic City, encabeçado por Shields vs. Hammer Battle for Undisputed Middleweight Championship ao vivo no SHOWTIME®
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (Março 26, 2019) – Ação undercard no sábado, Abril 13 no Boardwalk Hall em Atlantic City apresentará uma programação emocionante, incluindo uma disputa pelo título mundial peso-pena feminino e perspectivas invictas entrando no ringue, levando ao SHOWTIME BOXING: EDIÇÃO ESPECIAL tripleheader encabeçado por Claressa Shields vs. Confronto final de Christina Hammer pelo indiscutível campeonato mundial de 160 libras.
A escalação eliminatória é destacada pelo russo invicto Helen jardineiro (9-0, 2 KOs) disputando seu primeiro título mundial quando ela enfrenta o ex-desafiante por duas vezes ao título Brenda karen carabajal (15-4-1, 9 KOs) para a vaga IBF Pluma World Championship.
“O boxe feminino está experimentando um crescimento monumental em todo o mundo e como parte desta noite histórica, queríamos mostrar os melhores talentos em lutas significativas,” disse Dmitriy Salita, Presidente da Salita Promotions. “Tenho o prazer de apresentar dois principais candidatos lutando pelo vago Título Mundial dos Pesos-Pena IBF como a lutadora russa Elena Gradinar altamente considerada e invicta e a candidata argentina de longa data Karen Carbajal vão lutar para se tornar o campeão. De cima para baixo, Abril 13 será uma noite memorável para os fãs de boxe em todo o mundo.”
Em ação super flyweight, 23-nativo de Detroit de um ano Ja’Rico O’Quinn (11-0, 8 KOs) parece permanecer invicto em uma luta de oito assaltos contra Northfield, Minnesota's Vicente Alfaro Martinez (9-4, 3 KOs).
Os ingressos para o evento ao vivo, que é promovido pela Promoções Salita, custam $150, $100, $55 e $35 e já estão à venda. Os ingressos podem ser adquiridos através da Ticketmaster e em boardwalkhall.com.
A ação também incluirá ex-desafiante ao título dos pesos pesados Samuel Peter (37-6, 30 KOs) assumindo a do México Mario Heredia (15-6-1, 13 KOs) em uma partida de oito rounds e Jesse Angel Hernandez (12-2, 7 KOs) de Fort Worth, Texas participando de uma competição de peso super galo de oito rodadas contra New Jersey Edgar Joe Cortes (6-4-1). pedra, Nativo de Michigan Darrion Lawson vai procurar sua segunda vitória profissional em tantas lutas quando ele enfrentar Saul Almeida em um ataque super-médios.
# # #
SOBRE SHIELDS vs. MARTELO Shields vs. Martelo vai colocar campeões mundiais médios invicto Claressa Shields e martelo Christina uns contra os outros em uma batalha para coroar o campeão mundial indiscutível 160 libras, em que é indiscutivelmente evento de boxe das mulheres mais importantes na história. O co-metragem vai colocar Jermaine Franklin assumir Rydell Booker em um ataque pesado 10 rodada emocionante e na abertura da cerimônia, pesos pesados Otto Wallin e Nick Kisner vão disputar em confronto 10 rodada. A Showtime Boxing: tripleheader SPECIAL EDITION será transmitido ao vivo no canal Showtime em 9 p.m. ET / PT de Boardwalk Hall em Atlantic City, N.J.
“Every man I’ve faced; they’ve landed on the canvas. I’m going to continue to do that on May 18,” – Wilder
“I’m sick of seeing this guy walking around with his belt. I’m going to put him down,” – Breazeale
WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder Defends His Title Against Mandatory Challenger Dominic Breazeale on Saturday, Maio 18 Vivo no canal Showtime®De Barclays Center, em Brooklyn
Clique AQUI para fotos de Amanda Westcott / SHOWTIME
BROOKLYN (Março 19, 2019) – WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay “A Bomber Bronze” Wilder and mandatory challengerDominic “Dificuldade” Breazeale went face-to-face Tuesday at a heated press conference to officially announce their heavyweight title showdown taking place Saturday, Maio 18 viver no canal Showtime do Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™ and presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
Tickets for this BombZquad event go on sale Friday, Março 22 em 10 a.m. ET and can be purchased atticketmaster.com, barclayscenter.com, ou pelo telefone 800-745-3000. A partir de sábado, Março 23 em 12 p.m. E, tickets can be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Grupo descontos estão disponíveis pelo telefone 844-BKLYN-GP.
Here is what the press conference participants had to say Tuesday from Barclays Center:
Deontay WILDER
“It’s a pleasure to be back here in Brooklyn. Barclays Center is very close to my heart. I’ve been here so many times and I have a real connection to this arena. I’ve had some of my most memorable moments in the ring here.
“It’s always great to get a mandatory out of the way. They’re like flies buzzing in my ear. I just want to get them out of the way so I can do great things for the heavyweight division. I want one champion, one face, one name, but you need a lot of cooperation to make that happen.
“I want to prove to the world that I’m the best. That’s what I believe in my heart. Until someone proves me wrong, I will continue to believe that. Breazeale is the next man in line. I can’t wait for this one.
“I’m just going to show everyone on May 18. The way I feel right now, the fight could be this week. The champion must always be ready for whatever a challenger can bring.
“I hope he’s training his hardest. I’m glad he has Virgil Hunter on his side to show him something new. Every man I’ve faced; they’ve landed on the canvas. I’m going to continue to do that on May 18.
“No man who gets in the ring will be able to defeat Deontay Wilder. I hold the keys to the heavyweight division. No fighter is doing what I’m doing. I’m trying to give the fans something they’ve never seen before.
“Enjoy this one, because it’s going to be a massacre. Maio 18 will be a beautiful day for me and a beautiful day to see what I’m planning to do for the sport of boxing.”
DOMINIC Breazeale
“I’m super excited for this. I’ve been waiting over a year and a half for a shot at this title. I’ve got three knockouts here at Barclays Center and I can’t wait for another.
“I’m a great fighter but there are always things to be learned. I’ve learned a lot already with Virgil Hunter. I bring something that everyone wants to see from heavyweights, and that’s trouble. I’m going to bring pressure and action.
“I’m sick of seeing this guy walking around with his belt. I’m going to put him down. People are going to be rising to their feet when I knock him down.
“I’m so excited to get this fight. I’ve been on Deontay’s undercards and I steal the show every time. Deontay does nothing right in the ring. He looks like a circus-act. All he does is talk. But there’s nothing he can say on May 18.
“Deontay loves to hear his own voice. All he does is talk and talk. It’s time to get in the ring. Nobody can get in there and save him. It’s just me and him. Leather on leather. We’ll see who lands first. Hopefully he gets off the canvas.”
VIRGIL HUNTER, Breazeale’s Trainer
“It’s a pleasure to be here at Barclays Center for a heavyweight championship fight. We have a monumental task to try to overcome. Dominic and I connected last month and after a few workouts, we saw we had a good fit and an understanding of what needs to be done.
“Dominic works hard, he’s very determined and he knows that this is his opportunity and he can’t let it slip away from him. He also knows the risk at hand. We’re looking forward to May 18.”
STEPHEN ESPINOZA, President Sports & Programação de eventos, Showtime Networks Inc.
“We are thrilled to be bringing you Deontay Wilder vs. Dominic Breazeale on SHOWTIME. It would be an understatement to say that there has been a lot of speculation regarding Deontay’s future. We’re proud to have him on SHOWTIME. It was critical for Deontay, for the sport and his fans, that this fight be available not on pay-per-view, but on SHOWTIME. Because of his insistence, that’s the primary reason we’re standing here today.
“SHOWTIME is where this fight belongs. We’re the home of the biggest fights and best talents, month in and month out. This is where a heavyweight title fight belongs. This will be Deontay’s 12thappearance on SHOWTIME and or SHOWTIME PPV and we’ve built something special.
“Recently ESPN named its World Fame 100, which lists the most talked about athletes in the world. Deontay is ranked 34, two slots behind Tom Brady and higher than any other active boxer in the sport. He’s a bonafide superstar, there is no question.
“Dominic Breazeale is big, forte, experienced and powerful. Above all, ele está motivado. It’s no secret that there is a personal rivalry between these two fighters. This will not be a friendly promotion. There is genuine animosity. This is a premium fight and this is the heavyweight championship on May 18 live on SHOWTIME.”
Heavyweight Slugger Luis Ortiz Earns Unanimous Decision Over Christian Hammer
Eduardo Ramirez Scores Ninth-Round TKO of Bryan De Gracia Em Telecast Opener Watch The Encore Apresentação segunda-feira 10 P.M. ET / PT On SHOWTIME EXTREME® Clique AQUI para fotos de Stephanie Trapp / SHOWTIME & AQUI para fotos de Tom Casino / Showtime
BROOKLYN (Março 3, 2019) – Former 154-pound world championErislandy Laraand WBA Super Welterweight ChampionBrian Castañofought to a highly competitive split-draw Saturday at Barclays Center, a casa de BROOKLYN BOXE ™, em um evento apresentado pela Premier Boxing Champions. With the draw, Castaño retains the WBA belt in what was the toughest test of his career against the longtime top 154-pounder in Lara. Os juízes marcou a luta 115-113 (Castaño), 115-113 (Lara) e 114-114.
Castaño (15-0-1, 11 KOs), who was fighting in his first U.S. evento principal, held a large advantage in power connects (181-103) while Lara (25-3-3, 14 KOs) found success landing his left hand down the middle on his way to a 34 percent to 27 percent advantage in power accuracy.
In the close, difficult-to-score fight, five of the rounds were separated by three or fewer connects and three of those rounds favored Lara. In the final two rounds, Castaño ramped up the pressure and connected on 44 socos, while Lara landed only 24 punches across the championship rounds. Castaño won the final three rounds on all three judges’ scorecards. Without doing so, the Argentine would have lost his belt.
After the hotly contested fight, both fighters have options, including a rematch, in the talent-rich super welterweight division.
“I know I won the fight. I feel I was robbed,” a disappointed Castaño told SHOWTIME’s Jim Gray. “If he wants the rematch, I’ll give him the rematch. I waited for him this time so I can wait for him again if he wants the rematch. I would give him the rematch if he wants. I can also go ahead and fight any other champion that wants to fight me. I’m ready for whoever they put in front of me. Hurd or anyone else.”
Lara, por outro lado, felt he did enough to claim the belt: “I thought I won the fight by landing the more accurate and effective punches. Castaño came to fight but he never hurt me and I hurt him. All I can do is give the fans great fights and that’s what I’ll continue to do. I have a lot of fight left in me and I’m not going anywhere.
“If we have to fight him again, I’ll fight him. Hurd or Castaño. Anybody, I’ll have the rematch with both.”
Na co-metragem, Cuban heavyweight sluggerLuis Ortiz (31-1, 26 KOs) earned a unanimous decision victory over a gameMartelo Christian (24-6, 14 KOs). Although the judges scored the fight 100-90 e 99-91 duas vezes, both men fought through bloody noses at different points in the fight and both were stunned in a back-and-forth second round.
Ortiz, who earned his third consecutive victory since dropping a thrilling slugfest with WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder one year ago, is now looking for another world title shot.
“The fight wasn’t what I was expecting,” said Ortiz. “It was a hard fight and my corner really had to work with me. After I got the rhythm, I heated up a little bit. Every heavyweight out there should know that I still have it at 40-years-old. Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder, Estou pronto. "
Although Hammer fought with more energy and with more resolve than in previous fights with other top-tier heavyweights Tyson Fury and Alexander Povetkin, Ortiz used his superior technique and skills to eventually cruise to the lopsided decision. Ortiz averaged 45 jabs thrown per round and landed 61 jabs to just 20 para martelo, while also connecting on 49 por cento de seus golpes de energia. Ortiz made a conscious effort to attack Hammer’s body with 33.6% of his total connects (45 de 140) coming via body shots.
“I fought a fight that I hadn’t for years, which is box and work,” said Ortiz. “So I’m not disappointed I didn’t knock him out because I showed some of my boxing skills tonight.”
“Ortiz is a very good and experienced fighter,” said the 31-year-old Hammer, who was making his American debut. “He’s technical and smart but he’s not as intimidating as people say he is. I respect Ortiz but I don’t think he’s the best fighter I’ve ever faced.
“I’m very confident going forward. I know that I can go the distance with anyone and I’m willing to fight anyone. People thought I’d get knocked out but I proved them wrong.”
Na abertura da cerimônia, Eduardo Ramirez (22-1-3, 9 KOs) caughtBryan De Gracia (24-2-1, 20 KOs) with a vicious right uppercut in the ninth, stunning his opponent and suddenly breaking open a close fight. Ramirez pounced on the dazed De Gracia and unleashed a wave of punches which forced referee Benjy Esteves to call the fight at 2:10 of round nine.
The southpaw Ramirez, de Los Mochis, Sinaloa, México, was trailing on the scorecards at the time of the stoppage according to two out of three judges (the third had it even). Ramirez, known to grow stronger in the later rounds, connected on 36 punches in round number nine, by far his highest connect total on the night. Although De Gracia was the more aggressive fighter, the Panamanian failed to consistently land punches. De Gracia was accurate on just 27 por cento de seus golpes de energia, while Ramirez landed 38 por cento do seu.
“I definitely knew it was close but my corner kept telling me to keep going and going, and that’s when I caught him,”Disse Ramirez, who was fighting with a heavy heart following the passing of his grandfather. “I didn’t just come here to fight. I came here to do something and I did it.”
Com a vitória, Ramirez is now in line to face WBA (Regular) Featherweight World Champion Can Xu and will be looking to challenge for a world title fight in the deep featherweight division.
In SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING COUNTDOWN action that streamed live on theSHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel and SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook page, Edwin Rodriguez (31-2, 20 KOs) won a 10-round cruiserweight fight via unanimous decision overMitch Williams(16-7-3, 11 KOs) por dezenas de 96-94 duas vezes e 98-92. Coverage on social media also sawAntonio Russell (13-0, 11 KOs), younger brother of WBC Featherweight Champion Gary Russell Jr., stopJose Maria Cardenas(16-4, 13 KOs) 22 seconds into the sixth round of their bantamweight fight. In the opening bout of the digital presentation, Leduan Barthelemy (14-0-1, 7 KOs) permaneceu invicto com uma decisão unânime sobre Miguel Angel Aispuro(11-7-2, 7 KOs) por dezenas de 80-72 duas vezes e 79-73 in their eight-round super featherweight attraction.
# # #
Para mais informações visite www.SHO.com/Sports , www.PremierBoxingChampions.com , siga no Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @BrooklynBoxing, TGBPromotions, @LouDiBella and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing . The event was promoted by TGB Promotions in association with DiBella Entertainment.
First-Ever Boxing Game for the Expanding Sports Entertainment Platform, Exclusive to SHOWTIME Sports, Debuts for SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Event BOSTON (Fevereiro 28, 2019) – DraftKings Inc. and SHOWTIME Sports today announced a collaboration that will combine forces to immerse boxing fans in the sport they love through a custom Pick ‘Em style game exclusive to SHOWTIME Sports that debuts with this Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING event on March 2nd.
This new Pick ‘Em style game asks players to choose the winner of each televised fight, determine the method of victory and predict when the bout will end for all SHOWTIME boxing events including SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®, ShoBox: A Nova Geração®, SHOWTIME Boxing: Special Edition and SHOWTIME PPV®. Players will be awarded points based on the number of correct predictions in each boxing match. Prizing for individual fight cards includes $5,000 in winnings with each of the top-five finalists receiving a SHOWTIME Boxing prize pack. Adicionalmente, the overall 2019 Pick ‘Em winner will be awarded a free trip to every 2020 SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® event.
“Our alignment with SHOWTIME Sports is another prime example of our endless efforts to innovate and satisfy our customers with the most comprehensive sports offerings possible,” said Ezra Kucharz, Chief Business Officer at DraftKings. “Boxing draws edge-of-the-seat fans with incredible passion and engagement with the sport, and this collaboration will further our ability to best connect with our burgeoning player community.”
“This unique collaboration with DraftKings delivers an entertaining companion experience for viewers and provides a year-long connection to all SHOWTIME boxing events,"Disse Stephen Espinoza, President Sports & Programação de eventos, Showtime Networks Inc. “We’re excited to align with a leading sports-tech entertainment brand in the U.S. as SHOWTIME Sports continues to deliver fresh and innovative ways for fans to enjoy the best that boxing has to offer.”
Boxing is among the most storied and popular sports in the world with a passionate fan base, both domestically and internationally. Viewership trends for televised combat sports spectacles have been consistently impressive in recent years, with boxing accounting for the top selling pay-per-view television events in history. To serve this large and growing fanbase, DraftKings and SHOWTIME Sports are reshaping the fan sports entertainment experience through a creative collaboration, which will include custom fantasy games and other gaming innovations.
This Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING event will be the first opportunity for fans to play this Pick ‘Em style game. Saturday’s three-fight telecast is headlined by former world champion Erislandy Lara challenging undefeated WBA Super Welterweight Champion Brian Castaño plus the return of heavyweight contender Luis Ortiz.
# # # About DraftKings DraftKings is a global sports technology and entertainment company that believes life is more fun with skin in the game. Its mission is to bring fans closer to the games they love via a unique combination of daily fantasy sports, sports betting and media platforms that, combined, deliver “The Game Inside The Game.” Fundado em 2012 by Matt Kalish, Paul Liberman and Jason Robins, DraftKings is headquartered in Boston, MA, and offers daily fantasy sports contests across 11 professional sports in 8 countries including the U.S., Canadá, U.K and Australia. Operating pursuant to state regulations in New Jersey and Mississippi, DraftKings Sportsbook mobile and retail, allows players in the state to engage in betting for major U.S. and international sports.
About SHOWTIME Sports Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, possui e opera as redes de televisão premium SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL ™ e FLIX®, e também oferece SHOWTIME ON DEMAND®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL ™ ON DEMAND e FLIX ON DEMAND®, e o serviço de autenticação de rede SHOWTIME ANYTIME®. Showtime Digital Inc., uma subsidiária integral da SNI, opera o serviço de streaming independente SHOWTIME®. SHOWTIME está atualmente disponível para assinantes via cabo, DBS, e provedores de telecomunicações, e como um serviço de streaming independente por meio da Amazon, Apple®, Google, LG Smart TVs, Oculus Go, Roku®, Samsung Smart TVs and Xbox One. Os consumidores também podem se inscrever no SHOWTIME por meio dos principais canais de vídeo da Amazon, DirecTV Agora, FuboTV, Hulu, TV Sling, Sony PlayStation™ Vue, and YouTube TV. Viewers can also watch on computers at Showtime.com. SNI também gerencia Smithsonian Networks ™, uma joint venture entre SNI e do Smithsonian Institution, which offers Smithsonian Channel™ and Smithsonian Channel Plus™. SNI comercializa e distribui eventos esportivos e de entretenimento para exposição aos assinantes em uma base de pay-per-view através do canal Showtime PPV. Para obter mais informações, ir a www.SHO.com.
SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING COUNTDOWN Begins Live at 6:30 p.m. E / 3:30 p.m. PT On SHOWTIME Sports YouTube Channel and SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook Page
BROOKLYN (Fevereiro 27, 2019) – SHOWTIME Sports will provide live streaming coverage of three undercard fights on the network’s social media platforms as part ofSHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING COUNTDOWNcomeçando no 6:30 p.m. E / 3:30 p.m. PT on Saturday, Março 2 do Barclays Center, a casa de BROOKLYN BOXE ™, e apresentado pela Premier Boxe Campeões.
Streaming action will see hard-hitting contenderEdwin Rodriguez batalha Mitch Williamsin a 10-round cruiserweight fight, Citações de treino de mídia Jessie Roman Antonio Russell square off against Mexico’sJose Maria Cardenasin an eight-round bantamweight showdown andLeduan Barthelemy step in for an eight-round super featherweight matchup with Mexico’sMiguel Angel Aispuro,
The social media presentation will stream on theCanal SHOWTIME Sports no YouTube e Showtime Boxing página no Facebookleading up to the evening’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING event. The three-fight SHOWTIME telecast begins live at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT and is headlined by former world champion Erislandy Lara challenging undefeated WBA Super Welterweight Champion BrianCastaño.
Os ingressos para o evento, which is promoted by TGB Promotions in association with DiBella Entertainment, já estão à venda e podem ser comprados em ticketmaster.com,barclayscenter.com, ou pelo telefone 800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Grupo descontos estão disponíveis pelo telefone 844-BKLYN-GP.
Rodriguez (30-2, 20 KOs) has demonstrated his power-punching ability throughout numerous memorable contests in his career. The 33-year-old was born in Moca, Dominican Republic before moving to Worcester, Massachusetts. In his last fight he scored a unanimous decision over Lionell Thompson last February. He will battle Jackson, Michigan’s Williams (16-6-3, 11 KOs) who most recently scored a stoppage victory over Michael Sunkett in December.
Antonio Russell (12-0, 10 KOs) sits between Antuanne and WBC Featherweight Champion Gary Russell in the lineage of the Russell family dynasty, and will look to remain unbeaten when he steps into the ring March 2. The 26-year-old scored two knockout victories in 2018 and has stopped his last five opponents from lasting the distance. He will be opposed by the 22-year-old Cardenas (16-3, 13 KOs) de Tijuana, Baja California, México.
The younger brother of two-division champion Rances and Olympic gold medalist Yan, Barthelemy (13-0-1, 7 KOs) most recently fought to a split draw against then-unbeaten Eduardo Ramirez in September 2017. The 29-year-old from Cuba now lives and trains in Las Vegas and adds another top Cuban fighter to a card already including Lara and heavyweight contender Luis Ortiz. He prepares to take on the 28-year-old Aispuro (11-6-2, 7 KOs), who enters this contest with a three-fight winning streak.
Non-televised action will feature 2016 Haitian Olympian and Brooklyn-nativeRichardson Hitchins (7-0, 3 KOs) taking on Nicaragua’sDavid Morales(13-9, 13 KOs) in an eight-round super lightweight showdown, invicto super leveTyrek Irby(6-0, 2 KOs) facing Kenya’sDennis Okoth(2-1-1) for six rounds of action and unbeatenAaron Anderson(3-0, 3 KOs)in a four-round middleweight fight against Atlanta’sChukka Willis(4-9, 2 KOs).
# # #
ABOUT LARA VS. CASTAÑO Erislandy Lara vs. Brian Castaño pits former super welterweight world champion Lara against the WBA Super Welterweight Champion Castaño on Saturday, Março 2 in the main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING from Barclays Center, a casa de BROOKLYN BOXE ™, e apresentado pela Premier Boxe Campeões.
SHOWTIME coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT and will see Cuban heavyweight contenderLuis Ortiz assumir Martelo Christian em um 10-redondas atração pesado, plus hard-hittingBryan De Graciabattling rugged veteranEduardo Ramirezin a 12-round featherweight clash that opens the telecast.
Middleweight Champions Shields & Hammer Battle for Undisputed Women’s Middleweight World ChampionshipSaturday, Abril 13 Vivo no canal Showtime®from Boardwalk Hall em Atlantic City
Showtime Sports®Announces Two-PartALL ACCESS: SHIELDS vs. MARTELO with Installments on Social Media Platforms March 29 e abril 5
Tickets For Live Event on Sale This Friday, Março 1 em 11 a.m. E!
Clique AQUI para fotos de Stephanie Trapp / SHOWTIME
Clique AQUIfor Photos from Marilyn Paulino/Salita Promotions
NOVA IORQUE (Fevereiro 26, 2019) – Two undefeated middleweight champions went face-to-face Tuesday asClaressa Shields e Christina Martelo met in New York at a press conference ahead of their battle for the undisputed women’s middleweight championship Saturday, Abril 13 viver no canal Showtime de Boardwalk Hall em Atlantic City, N.J.
O Showtime Boxing: EDIÇÃO ESPECIAL começa às 9 p.m. ET/PT and will feature a long-awaited unification in what is arguably the most significant event in women’s boxing history. In addition to world titles from all four sanctioning bodies, this fight will be for the Ring Magazine Women’s Middleweight Championship, the first time a Ring divisional title has been at stake in a women’s boxing match.
Os ingressos para o evento ao vivo, que é promovido pela Promoções Salita, custam $150, $100, $55 e $35 and are on sale Friday, Março 1 em 11 a.m. E. Os ingressos podem ser adquiridos através da Ticketmaster e em boardwalkhall.com. Pre-sale tickets are available now at the linkAQUIby using the code BOXING.
Also on Tuesday, SHOWTIME Sports announced that it will chronicle the buildup to Shields vs. Hammer with a two-part digital installment of the Sports Emmy®Award winning programingALL ACCESS. ALL ACCESS: SHIELDS vs. MARTELO will premiere on March 29 with the second installment on April 5 on the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel and SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook page and take viewers into the training camps of both champions. Cameras will be embedded with Shields at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., and with Hammer in the town of Seefeld in the Austrian Alps as the undefeated rivals prepare for the most significant fight of their careers.
Here is what the press conference participants had to say Tuesday from Dream Hotel Downtown in Manhattan:
“This has been long overdue. I’m just glad that Hammer is here and the fight is set. She’s been at my fights before but I can’t wait to get inside the ring and show her I’m the real champion.
“I’ve traveled to many different countries and dethroned champions around the world. No final do dia, I’m coming to fight and I recognize that she’s a great champion. To be a champion for all those years shows that she’s a good fighter. But I also look at resumes, and her resume is not as good as mine.
“I’m not someone coming to lay down. I’m not afraid of her. You don’t win belts by talking. You have to fight. I said two years ago I want to fight Christina Hammer in my seventh fight. It would have been if it weren’t for her medical issue. But now we’re here and ready for April 13.
“Abril 13 you’re going to see someone fold. Eu prometo, it will not be me. Make sure you all tune-in.
“I think for women’s boxing this is a true super fight that we’ve never gotten before. We’ve never had a fight like this in women’s boxing. It’s great to make this happen and us being from two parts of the world makes this fight even better.
“She’s not the tallest girl I’ve ever fought. I’m stronger than her and I know it. I got up from a knockdown and won. She can’t do that. I don’t believe she knows how to fight on the inside, but she better learn.
“I want to make her quit. I don’t want her to just know I’m a good fighter, I want her to know I’m great. I wish we could go 12 rounds, but I’ll be prepared for all 10 rounds.”
CHRISTINA HAMMER
“I’m very glad to be here and make this fight happen. I’m looking forward to April 13. I want to show the world who I am.
“This is a big risk to come from Germany to the U.S., but I believe the best should fight the best and I did what I had to so that this could happen. This fight can be a game changer for our sport.
“I will give everything to step out of the ring as a winner. I know Claressa Shields is also a great champion. She’s undefeated like me and that’s why people want to see the fight and that’s why we made it happen.
“I want to thank everyone who made this fight a reality and brought us to this stage. It’s huge for me to be here in New York and I am looking to win on April 13.
“This fight is the real deal. This is going to be a game changer for women’s boxing. I think we’re going to inspire a lot of female athletes who want to live their dream. It’s motivation for everyone.
“I’ve had the title for a long time. I always push myself. This is the fight I wanted to show everyone who is the best. I will be the undisputed champion.
“Shields is beatable. Hanna Gabriels caught her in the first round of their fight and I am taller and stronger than Gabriels. I want to finish the job if I get the chance.
“Qualquer coisa pode acontecer no boxe. I’m prepared to go the distance. Knockout is the goal but most importantly, I want to win.”
DMITRIY SALITA, Presidente da Salita Promotions
“I’m honored to bring to the fans the first super fight in women’s boxing history. A lot of questions surround this fight. Will this be a classic like Leonard vs. Hearns, where the gold medalist handles the experienced pro, or like Mosley vs. De La Hoya, where the boxing pro took the gold medalist down. This fight is going to be for all of the belts and this recognizes the true value and impact of this fight.
“Christina Hammer has been a world champion for over nine years and has won titles in two divisions. She’s charismatic and a superstar in Germany and Europe. As a champion that she is, she’s traveling to the other side of the world to prove that she’s the best.
“Claressa made the Olympic team when she was 17 anos, winning our only boxing medal at the 2012 Jogos Olímpicos. She’s the only boxer in U.S. history to win two Olympic gold medals in boxing. She’s had a very impressive pro career, beating world champions and top contenders in all her fights. She’s on her journey to be the best and this fight is a big step toward cementing herself as the GWOAT (greatest woman of all time).
“This is going to be a historic night of boxing. If you watch this fight live and in-person, you will want to hold onto your ticket as a memento.”
MARK Taffet, Claressa Shields’ Gerente
“The media support for this fight is outstanding. This is a very special time. This fight is one of the most significant fights I’ve worked on in my career, because of the place it will hold in history.
“Two years ago I met Claressa Shields and we discussed her turning pro. We made a list of dreams and I promised Claressa I would do everything in my power to fulfill every one of them. We’ve had a wonderful journey together. One of those dreams was to make this undisputed championship fight happen. We’re going to keep making dreams happen.”
TOM LOEFFLER, Christina Hammer’s Advisor
“Without the fighters wanting this fight, events like this wouldn’t happen. Christina Hammer wants this challenge and she wants to prove she’s the best middleweight champion out there.
“These two fighters can be an example for a lot of male boxers. These are two undefeated fighters in their prime putting it all on the line to show who is the best. You don’t see that very often these days.
“This is going to be a fun promotion. This is a fight that’s a real 50-50 luta. Claressa will be coming forward with her style and tenacity, going up against Christina’s experience. It’s for all the marbles”
STEPHEN ESPINOZA, President Sports & Programação de eventos, Showtime Networks Inc.
“Let’s get one thing straight here. This isn’t just an important women’s fight. This isn’t just a high-quality women’s boxing match. This is a high-quality boxing match. This is an important fight. So certainly we have two very skilled women, we’re not going to ignore that fact. But this is one of the best fights that can be made in this sport. Two pound-for-pound boxers, o melhor combate o melhor. If you are not interested in this fight, then candidly, you are not a boxing fan. This is as good as this sport gets.
“We at SHOWTIME have a long history showcasing the best in women’s boxing and MMA. Names like Laila Ali, Christy Martin, Ronda Rousey, Miesha Tate, Gina Carano, Cris Cyborg.; those are all fighters who made their debuts and that became stars on SHOWTIME. This has been a long-time commitment.
“The first nationally televised women’s MMA event was on SHOWTIME. The first domestic televised MMA women’s main event was on SHOWTIME. The first women’s boxing match that was nationally televised was on SHOWTIME. The first women’s main event boxing bout was also on SHOWTIME, and that obviously was Claressa just a couple of years ago.
“So here on this stage you’ve got two of the most elite athletes in the sport. Not two of the elite women’s fighters in the sport, but two of the elite athletes within this sport. Two-time gold medalist, the only American to do that consecutively, and a two-belt world champion versus a longtime middleweight champion who has dominated this division for nearly a decade.
“This is one of the best fights that can be made in the entire sport. We have two of the elite athletes in boxing and they are deserving of having everything that comes with a marquee event on SHOWTIME, including our Emmy Award-winning All Access series.”
JIM WYNKOOP, Director Geral, Boardwalk Hall
“We are so excited to have this great fight coming to Boardwalk Hall. It will be our first championship fight in several years and we can’t wait.
“There is a huge history of boxing at Boardwalk hall in Atlantic City and we look forward to writing another chapter on April 13.”
