"Christina vet inte vad som kommer för henne. Jag kommer att bryta den hammaren i halva ” – Shields
Klicka HÄR för foton från Jose Pineiro / SHOWTIME WBC, WBA & IBF mästare i medelvikt Claressa Shields förbereder sig för det obestridda mästerskapet i mellanvikt mot Christina Hammer lördag, April 13 Live på SHOWTIME®
MIAMI(April 4, 2019) – WBA, WBC och IBF Worldweight World ChampionClaressa Shieldsvar värd för ett medieövning kl 5th Street Gym i Miami torsdag när hon närmar sig sin showdown mot WBO Middleweight World ChampionChristina Hammer för det obestridda medelviktmästerskapet lördag april 13 bor på SHOWTIME från Boardwalk Hall i Atlantic City, N.J.
De två gånger olympiska guldmedaljistsköldarna och oslagna hammer ser ut att bli den sjätte kämpen i historien för att förena alla fyra stora världstitlar i huvudevenemanget i en SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIALUTGÅVA (9 p.m. ET / PT).
Biljetter för live-event, som främjas av Salita kampanjer, är prissatta på $150, $100, $55 och $35 och kan köpas via Ticketmaster och påboardwalkhall.com.
Shields har tränat i Florida den senaste veckan med sin tränare John David Jackson, efter att ha tillbringat de senaste fem veckorna i USA. Olympic Training Center i Colorado. Här är vad Shields hade att säga på torsdag:
Claressa Shields
"Christina vet inte vad som kommer för henne. Jag kommer att bryta den hammaren i hälften.
”När vi är där, det handlar om vem som slår hårdare. Detta är en riktig kamp. Bara för att hon har höjd, betyder inte att hon kommer att diktera vad som händer. Hon kommer att behöva göra mycket för att hålla mig borta från henne.
”Jag har två olympiska guldmedaljer, tre bälten och fler kommer. Jag kommer att ha alla titlar i slutet av natten i april 13.
"Jag jobbar hårt, riktigt hård. Om jag var en man, Jag skulle förmodligen vara en av de mest kända boxarna där ute. Det finns ett könsskillnad. Vi vet alla det. Jag arbetar för att förändra det. Vi arbetar hårt, vi får mindre pengar och mindre erkännande, men världen förändras. Vi förändrar det.
”Hammer har pratat smack men jag är inte orolig för henne. Jag är bara redo för en kamp. Hon talar om mycket saker som inte har något att göra med boxning. Jag väntar på att hon säger att hon kommer att slå mig med en överkutt eller något, men det är mer av samma sak.
”Att vara här i Florida för att avsluta lägret har verkligen varit perfekt. Jag har fortfarande arbetat extremt hårt, men här har jag lite extra utrymme och solsken. Det var dags för lite nytt landskap i lägret och jag tror att det här var det perfekta steget att ta mig in i kampveckan.
"Jag har arbetat med min" Ali shuffle,”Detta gym inspirerade mig. Var inte förvånad om du ser mig bryta ut det under kampen. Jag har några knep i ärmen. På presskonferensen kommer det också att bli några överraskningar - jag har en plockad outfit som kommer att stjäla showen. ”
”Denna kamp är för länge förfallen och jag är bara glad att jag ska få min chans att visa henne vad en riktig mästare är. Någon går ner i april 13 och jag lovar att det inte kommer att bli jag.
"Folk kan säga att de inte uppmärksammar dig och inte studerar dig, men de ljuger. Jag är dock glad att hon tittar på mig noga. Hammer flög en av mina vänner där ute för att vara en sparringspartner, att inte ens veta att hon inte har sparrat mig på flera år och vet ingenting om mig. Det får mig att veta att jag är på hennes sinne. Hon kan spara med Ann Wolfe och hon kommer fortfarande inte att slå mig. ”
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OM SHIELDS vs. HAMMARE
Shields vs. Hammer kommer att släppa obesegrade medelviktvärldsmästare Claressa Shields och Christina Hammer mot varandra i en kamp för att krona den obestridda världsmästaren på 160 pund, i vad som är den mest betydelsefulla kvinnors boxningshändelse i historien. Samfunktionen kommer att pitera Jermaine Franklin tar Rydell Booker i en spännande 10-runda tungviktstävling och i telecast-öppnare, tungviktare Otto Wallin och Nick Kisner kommer att kämpa i 10-runda kollision. SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION tripleheader sänds live på SHOWTIME kl 9 p.m. ET / PT från Boardwalk Hall i Atlantic City, N.J.
OBEHANDLIGA STIGA HJÄLVJÄTTJER JERMAINE FRANKLIN & OTTO WALLIN TALK UPPANDE BUTTER & VÄG TILL KAMPIONENSKAP TILL HJUDVIKT
Franklin slåss Rydell Booker medan Wallin möter Nick Kisner Live på SHOWTIME® Lördag, April 13 Att leda upp till Claressa Shields vs. Christina Hammer Main Event från Boardwalk Hall i Atlantic City, N.J.
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (April 3, 2019) – Oslagna stigande tungviktareJermaine Franklin och Otto Wallin kommer att leta efter att göra en stänk och tillkännage sig i tungviktdivisionen när de går in för separata lotter live på SHOWTIME lördag, April 13 från Boardwalk Hall i Atlantic City.
SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION tripleheader kommer att börja kl 9 p.m. ET / PT och har rubriken av Claressa Shields som kämpar mot Christina Hammer för det ifrågasatta kvinnors mästerskap i medelvikt.
Franklin möter Rydell Booker medan Wallin tar på sig Nick Kisner i ett par 10-runda attraktioner som leder upp till huvudevenemanget. För både Franklin och Wallin, de ser april 13 som ett steg mot deras större mål.
“Booker är i vägen för där jag så småningom försöker vara,” Said Franklin. “Jag är en del av den nästa generationen tunga vikter och jag arbetar hårt för att hamna som tungviktmästaren när dammet sätter sig. Jag hittar alltid ett sätt att vinna och jag ska visa det 13 april.”
“Kommer till USA. för den andra delen av min karriär är mycket spännande,” sa Wallin. “Jag har åstadkommit mycket i min karriär i Europa men detta är en ny början. Det här är det ögonblick som jag har drömt om sedan jag först snörde vantar och jag kan inte vänta med att presentera mig för fansen här.”
En 25-åring från Saginaw, Michigan, Franklin hoppas kunna visa att han är grundad att bli den nästa amerikanska mäktaren i tungvikt, och är redo att ta manteln från den nuvarande WBC-titlisten Deontay Wilder och den långa raden av amerikanska tungviktmästare som kom före honom.
“Jag kommer att höja tävlingen bland tungviktarna,” Said Franklin. “Uppdelningen är definitivt tillbaka på kartan och jag planerar att ha en hand i att göra den måste-titta på TV igen. Amerika behöver ett annat ansikte i tungviktdivisionen och det kommer att bli jag.
“Jag tror redan att jag är världens bästa tungvikt. Det finns många stora, starka tungviktare, men jag är en balanserad idrottsman, vilket gör mig annorlunda. Jag är stark, snabb, atletisk och bli bättre med varje kamp.”
Även om hans hemland Sverige inte är känd för boxning, Wallins hemland har tidigare producerat en tungviktmästare i Ingemar Johansson, som berömt stoppade Floyd Patterson i deras första kamp på Yankee Stadium i 1959. Efter att ha besegrat den svenska svensk tungvikten Adrian Granat i sin sista kamp, Wallin beslutade att det var dags att slåss i USA, efter tidigare träningsläger i New York med tränaren Joey Gamache.
“Träning här i New York ger mig en stor energi och det visar i min prestanda,” sa Wallin. “Det är världens centrum, och medan jag är helt fokuserad på utbildning, Jag matar energi från staden.
“Ingemar Johansson är naturligtvis en stor inspiration för mig. När han kom till USA. och slog Floyd Patterson, han var den dåligaste mannen på planeten. Jag vill ta den manteln och bli en hjälte för unga svenska boxare, precis som han har varit för mig.”
Förutom att vara Wallins U.S.. debut, de obesegrade tungviktarna kommer att göra sina första uppträdanden på SHOWTIME och det kommer att vara Franklins första gången slåss i nordost. De hoppas var och en att visa upp sina respektive talanger och är beredda på vad som kommer med den ökade plattformen.
“Det här är en stor chans för mig att visa upp mina färdigheter, men jag behandlar det fortfarande som en enda kamp,” Said Franklin. “Jag kommer att anpassa mig till min motståndare och avslöja hans svagheter. Jag förbättrar mig alltid för att när du tror att du vet allt, det är när du vet att du vet ingenting.”
“Jag är bara ett barn från en liten stad i Sverige och jag har arbetat hårt för att komma till denna punkt,” sa Wallin. “Träning här i USA. och kämpar här kommer att hjälpa mig att få den bästa prestationen i min karriär. Rolan börjar i april 13 och jag slutar inte förrän jag är mästare.”
Båda undertecknade nyligen med Dmitriy Salitas Salita-kampanjer och i april 13 kommer att inleda ett år som kan lämna varje kämpe på botten av ett titelskott.
“På April 13 två av världens bästa tungvikt, en från USA, en från Sverige, kommer båda att ha en chans att göra anspråk på att de är redo att utmana för tungviktstiteln,” Said Word.
“Jermaine Franklin är den överlägset bästa amerikanska tungviktperspektiven som snart ska bli en utmanare och en mästare. Han kommer att ha en stor möjlighet att visa upp sina färdigheter och sitt värde mot den erfarna, hungrig och fullbordad Rydell Booker.
“Boxning är en sport med individuella berättelser och Otto Wallin är ett bra exempel på det. En topprankad tungvikt från en liten stad i Sverige, han visar att drömmar, kombinerat med hårt arbete, kan gå i uppfyllelse. Han är en av de bästa tungviktare i Europa och i april 13 han kommer att visa att han tillhör eliten i U.S.”
Med denna möjlighet att tillkännage sig själva i den återupplivande tungviktdivisionen, Franklin och Wallin är nyckelkörda för ögonöppnande föreställningar nästa lördag.
“Mitt ultimata mål är att bli världsmästare och jag tror just nu att jag är på rätt väg,” sa Wallin, som är rankad nr. 5 av IBF och WBA. “Jag hade bra år att slåss i Europa, men nu är det dags för mig att gå till nästa nivå. Jag kan inte vänta med att visa alla vad jag handlar om och ge fansen fantastiska slagsmål.”
“Jag planerar att vara en viktig styrka i tungviktdivisionen i slutet av året,” Said Franklin. “Det är mitt kommande parti. Jag känner att mina drömmar kommer att gå i uppfyllelse. Jag ska visa alla vem jag är: världens bästa nya tungvikt.”
Biljetter för live-event, som främjas av Salita kampanjer, är prissatta på $150, $100, $55 och $35 och kan köpas via Ticketmaster och påboardwalkhall.com.
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OM SHIELDS vs. HAMMARE Shields vs. Hammer kommer att släppa obesegrade medelviktvärldsmästare Claressa Shields och Christina Hammer mot varandra i en kamp för att krona den obestridda världsmästaren på 160 pund, i vad som är den mest betydelsefulla kvinnors boxningshändelse i historien. Samfunktionen kommer att pitera Jermaine Franklin tar Rydell Booker i en spännande 10-runda tungviktstävling och i telecast-öppnare, tungviktare Otto Wallin och Nick Kisner kommer att kämpa i 10-runda kollision. SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION tripleheader sänds live på SHOWTIME kl 9 p.m. ET / PT från Boardwalk Hall i Atlantic City, N.J.
LAS VEGAS – April 1, 2019 – Unbeaten 122-pound prospectAngelo Leoand FilipinoNeil Tabanaotalk training camp just days away from theirShoBox: Den nya generationenmain event showdown Friday, April 5 leva på SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET / PT) från Sam’s Town Live i Las Vegas.
Den 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) vänd Jahmal Dyer (9-1, 5 Kos) in an eight-round bout in the telecast opener.
Tickets for the Mayweather Promotions’ Sin City Showdown are priced at $25, $50 och $75 and can be purchased by visiting: https://mayweatherpromotions.com/events/.
Lion, (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:
Lion:“Tabanao is definitely not a pushover. Han har 17 segrar och 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. Så, 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:
Lion:“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.”
På träningsläger:
Lion:“I had a very good training camp. I have a very good team. Min pappa, 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.”
How does it feel to fight on national television?
Lion:“It feels like a dream come true to fight on national television. I’ve been working so hard for this moment. Slutligen, 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, April 1!
LAS VEGAS – (Mars 29, 2019) – Former lightweight world championRobert påsk Jr.and former two-division championRances Barthelemy will meet for the vacant WBA Lightweight Title on Saturday, April 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 Ajagbalooks to remain unbeaten against once-beaten GermanMichael Wallisch i en 10-runda tungvikt attraktion.
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,” säger Leonard Ellerbe, VD för Mayweather Promotions. “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. Mer, 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,” sa Tom Brown, VD för TGB Promotions. “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.”
Biljetter för live-event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions in association with About Billions Promotions, go on sale Monday, April 1, och kan köpas på 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 US. Olympic team.
“I’ve wanted to fight Barthelemy since he had the lightweight title and vacated it, and now I have the chance,” said Easter. “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,” Said 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 pounds. 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) has fought professionally since 2010 och kommer att göra sin US. debut against Postol on April 27. Representing Haute-Garonne, Frankrike, Han är obesegrad i hans sista 10 slagsmål som går tillbaka till 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.
Slåss av München, Tyskland, 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.
Lördag, April 13 from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City Headlined by Shields vs. Hammer Battle for Undisputed Middleweight Championship Live on SHOWTIME®
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (Mars 26, 2019) – Undercard action on Saturday, April 13 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City will feature an exciting lineup, including a women’s featherweight world title matchup and unbeaten prospects stepping in the ring, leading up to the SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION tripleheader headlined by the Claressa Shields vs. Christina Hammer showdown for the undisputed 160-pound world championship.
The undercard lineup is highlighted by unbeaten RussianHelen trädgårdsmästare (9-0, 2 Kos) vying for her first world title when she takes on former two-time title challengerBrenda Karen Carabajal(15-4-1, 9 Kos) for the vacant IBF Featherweight World Championship.
“Women’s boxing is experiencing monumental growth throughout the world and as part of this historic night, we wanted to showcase top talent in significant fights,” sa Dmitriy Salita, VD för Salita Promotions. “I am delighted to feature two top contenders fighting for the vacant IBF Featherweight World Title as highly-regarded and unbeaten Russian fighter Elena Gradinar and longtime Argentinian contender Karen Carbajal will battle to become champion. Top to bottom, April 13 will be a memorable night for boxing fans around the world.”
In super flyweight action, 23-year-old Detroit-nativeJa’Rico O’Quinn(11-0, 8 Kos) looks to remain unbeaten in an eight-round fight against Northfield, Minnesota’sVicente Alfaro Martinez (9-4, 3 Kos).
Biljetter för live-event, som främjas av Salita kampanjer, är prissatta på $150, $100, $55 och $35 och finns det erbjudanden nu. Biljetter kan köpas via Ticketmaster och på boardwalkhall.com.
The action will also include former heavyweight title challengerSamuel Peter (37-6, 30 Kos) ta på Mexikos Mario Heredia (15-6-1, 13 Kos) in an eight-round matchup andJesse Angel Hernandez(12-2, 7 Kos) of Fort Worth, Texas stepping in for an eight round super bantamweight contest against New Jersey’sEdgar Joe Cortes(6-4-1). Flinta, Michigan-nativeDarrion Lawsonwill look for his second pro win in as many fights when he facesSaul Almeida i en super mellanvikt bout.
# # #
OM SHIELDS vs. HAMMARE Shields vs. Hammer kommer att släppa obesegrade medelviktvärldsmästare Claressa Shields och Christina Hammer mot varandra i en kamp för att krona den obestridda världsmästaren på 160 pund, i vad som är den mest betydelsefulla kvinnors boxningshändelse i historien. Samfunktionen kommer att pitera Jermaine Franklin tar Rydell Booker i en spännande 10-runda tungviktstävling och i telecast-öppnare, tungviktare Otto Wallin och Nick Kisner kommer att kämpa i 10-runda kollision. SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION tripleheader sänds live på SHOWTIME kl 9 p.m. ET / PT från Boardwalk Hall i 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, Maj 18 Live på SHOWTIME®Från Barclays Center i Brooklyn
Klicka HÄR för foton från Amanda Westcott / SHOWTIME
BROOKLYN (Mars 19, 2019) – WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay “Brons Bomber” Wilder and mandatory challengerDominic “Problem” Breazeale went face-to-face Tuesday at a heated press conference to officially announce their heavyweight title showdown taking place Saturday, Maj 18 leva på Showtime från Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™ and presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
Tickets for this BombZquad event go on sale Friday, Mars 22 vid 10 a.m. ET och kan köpas på ticketmaster.com, barclayscenter.com, eller genom att ringa 800-745-3000. början lördag, Mars 23 vid 12 p.m. OCH, tickets can be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Grupprabatter finns genom att ringa 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. Maj 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 & händelse Programming, 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, stark, experienced and powerful. Above all, he’s motivated. 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 I telecast Öppnare Se Encore-presentationen måndag kl 10 P.m. ET / PT På SHOWTIME EXTREME® Klicka HÄR för foton från Stephanie Trapp / Showtime & HÄR för foton från Tom Casino / SHOWTIME
BROOKLYN (Mars 3, 2019) – Former 154-pound world championErislandy Laraand WBA Super Welterweight ChampionBrian Brownfought to a highly competitive split-draw Saturday at Barclays Center, hemmet till BROOKLYN BOXING ™, i ett evenemang som presenteras av 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. The judges scored the fight 115-113 (Castaño), 115-113 (Lara) och 114-114.
Castaño (15-0-1, 11 Kos), who was fighting in his first U.S. main event, 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 stansar, 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, å andra sidan, 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.”
I co-funktionen, Cuban heavyweight sluggerLuis Ortiz (31-1, 26 Kos) earned a unanimous decision victory over a gameChristian Hammer (24-6, 14 Kos). Although the judges scored the fight 100-90 och 99-91 två gånger, 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, Jag är redo. "
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 for Hammer, while also connecting on 49 procent av hans makt slag. Ortiz made a conscious effort to attack Hammer’s body with 33.6% of his total connects (45 av 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.”
I telecast-öppnaren, 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, Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexiko, 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 procent av hans makt slag, while Ramirez landed 38 procent av den.
“I definitely knew it was close but my corner kept telling me to keep going and going, and that’s when I caught him,” said 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.”
Med segern, 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) med massor av 96-94 två gånger och 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) remained unbeaten with a unanimous decision overMiguel Angel Aispuro(11-7-2, 7 Kos) med massor av 80-72 två gånger och 79-73 in their eight-round super featherweight attraction.
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För mer information besök www.SHO.com/Sports , www.PremierBoxingChampions.com , följ på 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 (Februari 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: Den nya generationen®, 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. Dessutom, 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,"Sade Stephen Espinoza, President Sports & händelse Programming, 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.” Grundad år 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., Kanada, 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, äger och driver premium-tv-nätverket SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ och FLIX®, och erbjuder även SHOWTIME ON DEMAND®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ ON DEMAND och FLIX ON DEMAND®, och nätverkets autentiseringstjänst SHOWTIME ANYTIME®. Showtime Digital Inc., ett helägt dotterbolag till SNI, driver den fristående streamingtjänsten SHOWTIME®. SHOWTIME är för närvarande tillgängligt för abonnenter via kabel, DBS, och telekomleverantörer, och som en fristående streamingtjänst via Amazon, Apple®, Google, LG Smart TV-apparater, Oculus Go, Roku®, Samsung Smart TV-apparater och Xbox One. Konsumenter kan också prenumerera på SHOWTIME via Amazons Prime Video Channels, DirecTV nu, FuboTV, Hulu, Sling TV, Sony PlayStation™ Vue, and YouTube TV. Viewers can also watch on computers at Showtime.com. SNI förvaltar också Smithsonian Networks ™, ett joint venture mellan SNI och Smithsonian Institution, which offers Smithsonian Channel™ and Smithsonian Channel Plus™. SNI marknadsför och distribuerar sport och underhållningsevenemang för utställning till abonnenter på en pay-per-view basis genom SHOWTIME PPV. För mer information, gå till www.SHO.com.
SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING COUNTDOWN Begins Live at 6:30 p.m. OCH / 3:30 p.m. PT On SHOWTIME Sports YouTube Channel and SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook Page
BROOKLYN (Februari 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 COUNTDOWNbörjar vid 6:30 p.m. OCH / 3:30 p.m. PT on Saturday, Mars 2 från Barclays Center, hemmet till BROOKLYN BOXING ™, och presenteras av Premier Boxing Champions.
Streaming action will see hard-hitting contenderEdwin Rodriguez slåss Mitch Williamsin a 10-round cruiserweight fight, unbeaten prospectAntonio 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 theSHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel och SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook-sidaleading 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.
Biljetter till evenemanget, which is promoted by TGB Promotions in association with DiBella Entertainment, are on sale now and can be purchased atticketmaster.com,barclayscenter.com, eller genom att ringa 800-745-3000. Biljetter kan också köpas på American Express Box Office i Barclays Center. Grupprabatter finns genom att ringa 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) from Tijuana, Baja California, Mexiko.
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, obesegrad superlättaTyrek 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).
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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, Mars 2 in the main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING from Barclays Center, hemmet till BROOKLYN BOXING ™, och presenteras av Premier Boxing Champions.
SHOWTIME coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT and will see Cuban heavyweight contenderLuis Ortiz ta på sig Christian Hammer i en 10-runda tungvikt attraktion, 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, April 13 Live på SHOWTIME®from Boardwalk Hall i Atlantic City
Showtime Sports®Announces Two-PartALL ACCESS: SHIELDS vs. HAMMARE with Installments on Social Media Platforms March 29 and April 5
Tickets For Live Event on Sale This Friday, Mars 1 vid 11 a.m. OCH!
Klicka HÄR för foton från Stephanie Trapp / Showtime
Klicka HÄRfor Photos from Marilyn Paulino/Salita Promotions
NEW YORK (Februari 26, 2019) – Two undefeated middleweight champions went face-to-face Tuesday asClaressa Shields och Christina Hammer met in New York at a press conference ahead of their battle for the undisputed women’s middleweight championship Saturday, April 13 bor på SHOWTIME från Boardwalk Hall i Atlantic City, N.J.
Den SHOWTIME BOXNING: SPECIALUTGÅVA börjar vid 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.
Biljetter för live-event, som främjas av Salita kampanjer, är prissatta på $150, $100, $55 och $35 and are on sale Friday, Mars 1 vid 11 a.m. OCH. Biljetter kan köpas via Ticketmaster och på boardwalkhall.com. Pre-sale tickets are available now at the linkHÄRby 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. HAMMARE 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 i 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. Vid slutet av dagen, 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.
“April 13 you’re going to see someone fold. Jag lovar dig, 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 rundor, 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.
“Allt kan hända i boxning. I’m prepared to go the distance. Knockout is the goal but most importantly, I want to win.”
DMITRIY SALITA, VD för 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 år gammal, winning our only boxing medal at the 2012 Olympiska spel. 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’ Chef
“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 slagsmål. 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 & händelse Programming, 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, den bästa slåss bäst. 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, General Manager, 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.”
