Category Archives: Showtime Boxing

boxing, Premier Boxing Champions, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

ERICKSON LUBIN TRAINING CAMP QUOTES AND PHOTOS

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Super Welterweight Contender Takes on Former World Champion Ishe Smith This Saturday in SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING COUNTDOWN Action From Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. and Presented By Premier Boxing Champions

Digital Presentation Streams Live on SHOWTIME Sports YouTube Channel and SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook Page Beginning
ntawm 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT

Nyem NTAWM NO for Photos from Team Lubin


Las Vegas (Lub ob hlis ntuj 5, 2019) – Super welterweight contender Erickson Lubin will enter the ring under the guidance of coach Kevin Cunningham for the first time when he steps into the ring this Saturday against former world champion Ishe Smith raws li ib feem ntawm SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING COUNTDOWN from Dignity Health Sports Park, formerly StubHub Center, nyob rau hauv Carson, California and presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

The digital presentation will stream on the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel thiab Showtime Boxing Facebook page pib thaum 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, and will also feature a showdown between super lightweights Juan Heraldez and Eddie Ramirez, all leading up to that evening’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING event. The three-fight SHOWTIME telecast begins live at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT headlined by super featherweight world champion Gervonta Davis defending his title against former world champion Hugo Ruiz.

Lubin will fight for the second time since losing his first world title challenge to Jermell Charlo in 2017, and for the first time with his new coach. The Orlando-native began training camp in West Palm Beach, but has been training in Las Vegas for the last month since the team moved west to finish the training camp for Adrien Broner’s fight against Manny Pacquiao.

Here is what Lubin had to say about Saturday’s fight and more:

On his matchup against Ishe Smith:

“Ishe Smith has been in the ring with the best of them and he’s never been stopped. He knows how to fight and I’m expecting him to be at this best. I will have to dictate the pace right from the opening bell. My goal is to be the first person to take him out, but if it goes the distance, I’m okay with that as well. I’m going to win this fight and win it impressively.”

On training with new coach Kevin Cunningham:

“Kevin is a no-nonsense type of guy. He’s going to tell you the truth if you like it or not. If I’m doing something wrong in his eyes, he’s going to speak on it right away. He’ll do the same if I’m doing something right, so I like his style of training and I’m learning more each day we are together. This will be our first fight together and I’m excited to get back in the ring. We have a nice game plan in place that we will execute on fight night.”

On training in Las Vegas for the first time in his career:

“Training in Las Vegas is no joke, because we are training in higher elevation than what I’m used to in Florida. Getting away from the distractions at home has been relaxing. I’ve been getting great sparring and my timing is right on point. Las Vegas is definitely the place to be for high level sparring and training.”

On fighting in Southern California for the second time in his career:

“I really like fighting on the west coast. The fans are great, and the weather is beautiful. I know we’ll be fighting outdoors so I’m looking forward to that. Everyone knows this venue has hosted some really good fights. I’m looking to steal the show on Saturday night.”

# # #
ABOUT DAVIS VS. RUIZ
Gervonta Davis vs. Hugo Ruiz pits the WBA Super Featherweight World ChampionDavis against the former world champion Ruiz in the main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on Saturday, Lub ob hlis ntuj 9 from Dignity Health Sports Park, formerly StubHub Center, nyob rau hauv Carson, California and presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING coverage begins at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT and features undefeated super lightweight Mario Barrios taking on Mexico’s Richard Zamora and former world champion Javier Fortuna battling lightweight contender Sharif Bogere.

Daim pib rau cov kev tshwm sim, promoted by Mayweather Promotions, TGB Promotions and Sampson Boxing, are on sale now and can be purchased at AXS.com.

Yog xav paub ntxiv mus xyuas www.SHO.com/Sports thiabwww.premierboxingchampions.com raws li nyob rau hauv Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, SHOSports, @PremierBoxing @MayweatherPromo, @TGBPromotions and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports, www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions and Facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions.
boxing, Premier Boxing Champions, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

MARIO BARRIOS TRAINING CAMP QUOTES & DUAB

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Unbeaten Super Lightweight Barrios Takes on Mexico’s
Richard Zamora Live on SHOWTIME® This Saturday From
Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. & Presented By
Premier Boxing Champions

Nyem NTAWM NO for Photos from Brett Ostrowski/Team Barrios

Oakland, California. (Lub ob hlis ntuj 4, 2019) – Undefeated super lightweight contender Mario Barrios will look to continue his push toward a world title shot when he faces Mexico’s Richard Zamora (19-2, 12 Kos) live on SHOWTIME this Saturday, Lub ob hlis ntuj 9 from Dignity Health Sports Park, formerly StubHub Center, nyob rau hauv Carson, California, thiab los ntawm cov Premier Boxing Champions.

The three-fight SHOWTIME telecast begins live at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT and is headlined by super featherweight world champion Gervonta Davis defending his title against former world champion Hugo Ruiz.

The 23-year-old from San Antonio can increase his knockout streak to seven on February 9, all since he moved up to 140-pounds. Here is what Barrios (22-0, 14 Kos) had to say about his upcoming matchup and more from training camp in Oakland, California.:

On his matchup with Richard Zamora:

“Zamora is my toughest opponent to date in my opinion. He’s won his last five fights, so I know he’s coming into this fight with a lot of confidence. He has power in both hands and he’s very tough. But I’m going into this fight with a lot of confidence myself. This is going to be a war and one I’m looking forward to. I have no doubt in my mind that I’m going to come out on top.”

On his recent training camp:

“Camp started back home with my dad Martin and he really got me ready before I left for California. I’ve spent the last six weeks training in the Bay Area with Virgil Hunter. I’ve also been training with Victor Conte and Remi Korchemny at the SNAC facility. Txoj cai tam sim no, my body is in the best shape of my life. I got good sparring with Devin Haney and a few other top-level fighters. All the hard work is almost done. We have one week left and then its fight week. Virgil and I are working great together and I’m ready to go.”

On fighting in the co-main event on SHOWTIME:

“I’m very excited to be fighting on SHOWTIME on a big card once again, this time in the co-main event. I’m going to bring a lot of excitement to those watching on TV. My style is fan-friendly and everyone tuning in is going to see the next superstar in boxing. I’m going to take full advantage of this opportunity fighting on the big stage.”

On when he’ll be fighting for a world title:

“I’m currently ranked No. 1 nyob rau hauv lub WBA, so I know a world title shot is very close. Txoj cai tam sim no, my main focus is defeating Zamora. I must get past this fight and then it’s time to face all the top guys in the super lightweight division. I’m looking to be in a world title fight sometime this year.”

# # #

ABOUT DAVIS VS. RUIZ
Gervonta Davis vs. Hugo Ruiz pits the WBA Super Featherweight World ChampionDavis against the former world champion Ruiz in the main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on Saturday, Lub ob hlis ntuj 9 from Dignity Health Sports Park, formerly StubHub Center, nyob rau hauv Carson, California and presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING coverage begins at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT and features undefeated super lightweight Mario Barrios taking on Mexico’s Richard Zamora and former world champion Javier Fortuna battling lightweight contender Sharif Bogere.

The event is promoted by Mayweather Promotions, TGB Promotions and Sampson Boxing and tickets are sale now and can be purchased at AXS.com.

Yog xav paub ntxiv mus xyuas www.SHO.com/Sports thiabwww.premierboxingchampions.com raws li nyob rau hauv Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, SHOSports, @PremierBoxing @MayweatherPromo, @TGBPromotions and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports, www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions and Facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions.
boxing, Premier Boxing Champions, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

Unbeaten Super Featherweight Xavier Martinez Clashes With Deivi Bassa & Lightweight Contender Ladarius Miller Battles Daulius Prescott In Non-Televised Action This Saturday, At Dignity Health Sports Park In Carson, California.

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WBA Super Featherweight Champion Gervonta Davis Battles Former Champion Hugo Ruiz In SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Main Event Presented By Premier Boxing Champions

Carson, California. (Lub ob hlis ntuj 4, 2019) – Unbeaten Super Featherweight Xavier Martinez will clash with Colombia’s Deivi Bassa and lightweight contender Ladarius Miller is set to battle Daulius Prescott in non-televised undercard action on Saturday, Lub ob hlis ntuj 9 from Dignity Health Sports Park, formerly StubHub Center, nyob rau hauv Carson, California.

The main event of a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING tripleheader features unbeaten WBA Super Featherweight Champion Gervonta Davis defending his title against former world champion Hugo Ruiz in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

The unbeaten Martinez (12-0, 8 Kos) has stopped his last four opponents, including a technical knockout victory over Oscar Bravo in his last fight in September. The 21-year-old from Sacramento, California. will be looking to do the same when he steps in for a 10-round bout against Bassa (20-7, 12 Kos), a 37-year-old southpaw from Monteira, Colombia. Bassa is looking to rebound from a unanimous decision loss to Jonathan Oquendo in his last fight in December.



Miller (18-1, 5 Kos) has used his boxing ability to make a steady climb up the lightweight ladder with impressive victories over Jamel Herring and Dennis Galarza. The 25-year-old, a southpaw who was born in Memphis and now lives in Las Vegas, is coming off a majority decision victory over Ricardo Garcia in his last fight in December. He is catching Barranquilla, Colombia’s Prescott (32-10, 24 Kos) as he is trying to rebound from a decision loss to Matt Conway in December.

In other non-televised undercard action undefeated featherweight Angelo Leo (15-0, 8 Kos) raws li Alberto Torres (11-1-3, 4 Kos) nyob rau hauv ib yim-round bout, unbeaten Jose Balderas (5-0) competes in a six-round super bantamweight fight against Jerrod Miner(1-3-2, 1 KO), flyweight Ava Knight (17-2-4, 5 Kos) yuav siv sij hawm nyob rau hauv Luna del Mar Torroba(12-9-2, 2 Kos) nyob rau hauv ib yim-round match, Mexican lightweight Francisco Ochoa (13-0, 8 Kos) steps in against Luis May (21-11-1, 8 Kos) for a six-round bout and Maurice Lee(9-1-1, 5 Kos) ntsej muag Lennard Davis (4-1-4, 3 Kos) in a six-round super lightweight bout.

The fights continue with undefeated welterweight Emmanuel Medina (15-0, 9 Kos) tiv thaiv Carlos Velasquez (26-33-2, 16 Kos) nyob rau hauv ib yim-round bout, Lorenzo Simpson(1-0, 1 KO) lub rooj sib tham Jonell Christmas (0-1) in a four-round super middleweight bout and Genisis Libranza (17-1, 10 Kos) kev noj nyob Gilberto Mendoza (11-6-2, 4 Kos) in an eight-round super flyweight match.

Rounding out the night of action is undefeated Israel Luna kev noj nyob Angel Carvajal in a four-round super bantamweight match.

# # #
ABOUT DAVIS VS. RUIZ
Gervonta Davis vs. Hugo Ruiz pits the WBA Super Featherweight World ChampionDavis against the former world champion Ruiz in the main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on Saturday, Lub ob hlis ntuj 9 from Dignity Health Sports Park, formerly StubHub Center, nyob rau hauv Carson, California and presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING coverage begins at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT and features undefeated super lightweight Mario Barrios taking on Mexico’s Richard Zamora and former world champion Javier Fortuna battling lightweight contender Sharif Bogere.

The event is promoted by Mayweather Promotions, TGB Promotions and Sampson Boxing and tickets are sale now and can be purchased at AXS.com.

Yog xav paub ntxiv mus xyuas www.SHO.com/Sports thiabwww.premierboxingchampions.com raws li nyob rau hauv Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, SHOSports, @PremierBoxing @MayweatherPromo, @TGBPromotions and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports, www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions and Facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions.
boxing, ShoBox, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

DeANDRE WARE UPSETS RONALD ELLIS VIA MAJORITY DECISION VICTORY IN MAIN EVENT OF SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION FRIDAY ON SHOWTIME®

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Will Madera Scores Unanimous Decision Victory
Over Thomas Mattice In Co-Feature

Catch The Replay Monday, Lub ob hlis ntuj 4 Ntawm 10 p.m. ET / PT Nyob SHOWTIME huab®

Nyem NTAWM NO Rau cov duab; Credit Stephanie Trapp / Showtime

ROCHESTER – February 2, 2019 – DeAndre Ware rose to the occasion and scored the biggest win of his career with an upset majority decision over previously undefeated Ronald Ellis in the main event of ShoBox: Tshiab Tiam Friday on SHOWTIME from Main Street Armory in Rochester. Both fights of the doubleheader were upsets, as Albany, N.Y.. native Will Madera defeated Thomas Mattice in an eight-round lightweight co-feature.

Ellis (15-1-2, 10 Kos), who had the advantage over Ware in both height and reach, tau los ua tus 185th fighter to lose their undefeated record on the prospect developmental series after Mattice suffered his first defeat and became fighter number 184.

Cov khoom (13-1-2, 8 Kos), who edged Ellis 95-95 thiab 96-94 ob zaug, pressed the action from the outset. While Ellis threw a higher volume of punches throughout the night, Ware was more effective with the punches he landed and worked Ellis inside as the fight progressed.

“I controlled the fight. The whole fight I was landing the harder shots,” said Ware. “I finally had a chance to get in shape and have a full camp, and we were able to show what we really have. I applied the pressure. He was just flicking the jab and it wasn’t doing anything.”

Ellis, who fought his past three fights with his right hand either broken or badly injured, largely stopped using his right hand during the fourth round, indicating he might have re-injured the surgically repaired hand. By the later rounds, he was mainly jabbing with his left and delivering punches in volume that lacked power.

“I couldn’t tell if he hurt his hand,” Ware continued. “I just listed to my coaches and did what I had to do.”

Ellis, who was fighting on ShoBox for the fourth time, didn’t agree with the officials’ decision and was eager for a rematch

“I think I outboxed him,” Ellis said. “He was pressuring the whole fight but he didn’t land anything clean. I hurt my hand a little in the third but I was still able to triple jab him and keep him on the outside. I would do a rematch in a second.”

Nyob rau hauv lub qhib sib ntau sib tw ntawm cov telecast, Will Madera handed ShoBox veteran Thomas Mattice the first loss of his career via a unanimous decision in a battle of unbeaten lightweights.

Madera (13-0-2, 6 Kos), who took the fight on short notice in his national television debut, dominated the pace from the outset. He stayed busy and controlled the first three rounds, coming forward and working the body against a stagnant Mattice (13-1-1, 10 Kos). While Mattice tried to establish his jab, Madera’s movement and insistence on pressing inside made it impossible.

“I had to make some adjustments. He’s a good, tawv fighter, but it’s all about staying composed,” Madera said. “I wasn’t fazed by any of his punches. He had a little pop, but nothing that I was afraid of.”

In a fight that started out reminiscent of his 2017 ShoBox debut, Mattice came to life in the later rounds, relying on his jab and increasing his overall volume of work. But his increase in output still lagged behind Madera, who had landed 21 body shots midway through the fight compared to just three landed by Mattice.

“He had a good jab that I just had to time,” Madera said. “With the win, I’m ready to step-up. Whatever they have for me, I’ll take it next.”

Mattice’s best work came in the sixth round, when he relied on a higher volume of combos and a steady jab. Both men traded punches throughout the final round, and Madera closed out the fight with a five-punch combo that had Mattice on the ropes.

“I still feel like I’m the better fighter, I just didn’t get started. I didn’t do what we came here to do, which was box and use my speed,” said Mattice. “I’m kind of glad this one didn’t go my way so we can learn from this and go back to the drawing board.”

The event was promoted by GH3 Promotions in association with Greg Cohen Promotions. The full telecast will replay on Monday, Lub ob hlis ntuj 4 ntawm 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME and will be available on SHOWTIME ANYTIME® and SHOWTIME on DEMAND®.

Barry Tompkins called the action from ringside with boxing historian Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer was Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

# # #

Yog xav paub ntxiv mus xyuas www.sho.com/sports
raws li nyob rau hauv Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, SHOSports, #ShoBox, los yog los ua ib tug kiv cua nyob rau Facebook ntawm www.Facebook.com/SHOSports.

Hais txog ShoBox: Tshiab Tiam
Txij thaum nws inception nyob rau hauv Lub Xya hli ntuj 2001, lub critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: Tshiab Tiam tau featured hluas txuj ci sib phim nyuaj. Lub ShoBox philosophy yog televise exciting, neeg coob coob-pleasing thiab sib tw ntais thaum npaj ib qhov tseeb hauv av rau kam zeem muag txiav txim sib ntaus rau ib lub ntiaj teb title. Ib co ntawm cov loj hlob daim ntawv teev cov 79 neeg tua hluav taws uas tau tshwm sim rau ShoBox thiab advanced rau garner ntiaj teb no lub npe muaj xws li: Errol Spence Jr., Lwm Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams thiab ntau yam ntxiv.
boxing, ShoBox, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

RONALD ELLIS vs. DeANDRE WARE FINAL WEIGHTS, QUOTES & PHOTOS FOR SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION TOMORROW LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

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Super Middleweights Ellis And Ware Face Off In Main Event Of ShoBox Doubleheader Live at 10 p.m. ET/PT From Main Street Armory In Rochester


ROCHESTER– January 31, 2019 – Undefeated super middleweight prospect Ronald Ellis and once-beaten DeAndre Ware both made weight on Thursday for their 10-round super middleweight clash in the main event of aShoBox: Tshiab Tiam doubleheader tomorrow/Friday live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET / PT) from Main Street Armory in Rochester.
 
Ellis (15-0-2, 10 Kos), who recently sparred with Canelo Alvarez and Sergey Kovalev, rov qab musShoBox for the fourth time seeking a statement win. The Lynn, Loj., native faces Ware (12-1-2, 8 Kos), a come-forward fighter out of Toledo, Ohio who trained with Tony Harrison in preparation for his upset win over Jermell Charlo.
 
Cov kev tshwm sim yog txhawb los ntawm GH3 Promotions nyob rau hauv lub koom haum nrog Greg Cohen Promotions. Tickets can be purchased by calling 585-232-3221.
 
Nyob rau hauv lub qhib sib ntau sib tw ntawm cov telecast, undefeated lightweights Thomas Mattice and Will Madera will face off in an eight-round 135-pound matchup. Like Ellis, Mattice (13-0-1, 10 Kos), ntawm Cleveland, returns for his fourth bout on the prospect developmental series. Madera (12-0-2, 6 Kos), a three-time New York Golden Gloves Champion out of Albany, N.Y., will make his television debut.
 
The scheduled televised opener between Abraham Nova and Oluwaseun Joshua Wahab was cancelled after Wahab was forced to withdraw from the bout due to immigration issues entering the U.S. from Ghana.
 
FINAL WEIGHTS
 
Super Middleweight 10-Round Bout
Ronald Ellis – 167 ½ Pounds
DeAndre Ware – 166 ¾ Pounds
 
Lightweight 8-Round Bout
Thomas Mattice – 134 ¼ Pounds
Will Madera – 134 ½ Pounds
 
 
FINAL QUOTES:
 
RONALD ELLIS 
 
“It’s my fourth time onShoBox, this time I have to get it right, this time I have to go out with a bang.
 
“I’m going to show a lot, I’m going to show boxing, banging, whatever they want to see we’re going to bring.
 
“I trained at Buddy McGirt’s new boxing gym in Northridge, California. I sparred Canelo Alvarez for his last fight and was in camp with Sergey Kovalev for his fight this weekend.
 
“I learned a lot from Canelo and Kovalev. I feel like sparring with them gave me an edge, so I’m going to look like a whole different fighter in there. Canelo is more compact and he comes a little bit faster. Kovalev, he’s big and he’s a banger.
 
“DeAndre Ware is tough. He’s just a real tough guy who comes to fight. He got a lot of heart and he’s just going to do what he got to do. He’s not going to stick and move. He’s going to be there all night unless I get him out. I think his game plan is just going to be to come in and do what he does.
 
“I think it’s a perfect fight for SHOWTIME. This one is going to be entertaining.”
 
 
DeANDRE WARE
 
"Kuv xav zoo, feeling strong. We had a full camp this time around so I’m looking for good things. My training camp was about six to eight weeks at the Glass City Gym in Toledo. Prior to that, I was in Tony Harrison’s camp helping him to get ready to fight (Jermell) Charlo.
 
“Sparring was great, it was probably the best sparring and best camp I’ve had so far. I only had about 12 days to prepare for my last fight and I’m in much better shape this time. I think that’s going to play a big difference in this fight tomorrow night.
 
“Ronald Ellis is just another guy in my way. I think Ellis is a tough fighter. From what I’ve seen, he’s a come-forward guy. He tries to box a little bit – there’s skill. I respect anybody that gets in that ring, but come fight time, all that stuff goes out the door. I’m coming to win.”
 
 
THOMAS MATTICE
 
“It’s a great feeling to come back toShoBox for the fourth time. Kuv lub xeem sib ntaus [a draw against Hamazaryan] was a great fight, a very exciting fight, but I thought I edged it five rounds to three. We’re going to do what we have to do to make sure this fight doesn’t turn out like that.”
 
“If I use my skills and my ability to use the ring it should help me tomorrow night. I don’t really know much about my opponent, I haven’t watched him since he was a last-second opponent and I got him like two weeks ago.
 
“Training camp was great. We were training for a southpaw and then they switched it when my opponent switched but I’m confident and I feel ready.
 
“I’m better than what I’ve shown in the past. My plan is to show that tomorrow night.”
 
WILL MADERA
 
"Kuv xav tias zoo, I’m confident and I’m looking to put on a show. I had a great camp, I trained hard and I have no worries.
 
“For tomorrow, the key is pressure, intelligent pressure. I don’t want to come in overwhelming myself but still keep the pressure on him.
 
“Our styles should make for an exciting fight. If I bring the pressure it’s going to be a fun fight
 
[The Hamazaryan fight] was controversial. The first fight was a really close fight and I think if I apply the same pressure and fight smarter, I’ll get the victory.
 
“I’ve been waiting for an opportunity like this. Now I just need to finish the job.”
 
#          #          #
 
 
Yog xav paub ntxiv mus xyuaswww.sho.com/sports 
follo
w on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, SHOSports, #ShoBox, los yog los ua ib tug kiv cua nyob rau Facebook ntawmwww.Facebook.com/SHOSports.
 
Hais txogShoBox: Tshiab Tiam
Txij thaum nws inception nyob rau hauv Lub Xya hli ntuj 2001, lub critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: Tshiab Tiam tau featured hluas txuj ci sib phim nyuaj. LubShoBox philosophy yog televise exciting, neeg coob coob-pleasing thiab sib tw ntais thaum npaj ib qhov tseeb hauv av rau kam zeem muag txiav txim sib ntaus rau ib lub ntiaj teb title. Ib co ntawm cov loj hlob daim ntawv teev cov 79 neeg tua hluav taws uas tau tshwm sim rauShoBox thiab advanced rau garner ntiaj teb no lub npe muaj xws li: Errol Spence Jr., Lwm Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more.
boxing, Premier Boxing Champions, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

Three-Division, Four-Time World Champion Abner Mares Sustains Injury; Forced To Withdraw From Match Against WBA Super Featherweight World Champion Gervonta Davis – Davis Now Set To Take on Former World Champion Hugo Ruiz in SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Main Event Saturday, Lub ob hlis ntuj 9

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LOS ANGELES (Lub ib hlis ntuj 30, 2019) -Three-division, four-time champion Abner Mares has been forced to pull out of the WBA Super Featherweight title match against two-time super featherweight champion Gervonta Davis on Saturday, Lub ob hlis ntuj 9 after suffering an injury while training.

Davis will now defend against former world championHugo Ruizin the main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, nrog kev pab them nqi pib thaum 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California and presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

Ruiz is an all-action brawler who previously picked up a world title at super bantamweight in 2015 and most recently defeated Alberto Guevara in January on the Pacquiao vs. Broner PPV event in a featherweight fight. Ruiz, uas yog tswv rau 18 first round knockouts, floored Guevara in the opening minute and cruised to a near-shutout decision victory.

He had originally been slotted for an interim title shot against Jhack Tepora in January before Tepora missed weight, but will now have his chance to fight for a belt against one of the most-feared punchers at 130-pounds on February 9. The 30-year-old from Sinaloa, Mexico stands at five feet, nine inches tall, nearly four inches taller than Davis, and has won three straight fights leading up to this fight.

“I trained for three months to fight a southpaw when I fought in January,” said Ruiz. “When the opponent changed, it was hard to adjust in 24 teev. After the fight I immediately went back to the gym, because you never know what’s going to happen in boxing. Kuv 100 percent ready to knockout Gervonta Davis.”

“Hugo Ruiz has another opportunity to fight for a world title because he’s demonstrated that he’s devoted to boxing and his career,” Hais Sampson Lewkowicz, Ruiz’s Promoter. “He went right back to the gym after his last fight. He’s ready for another great opportunity to be a world champion and he’s going to take advantage of that opportunity.”

Mares injured his right elbow during sparring at the Robert Garcia Boxing Gym in Riverside, California. Mares said he had experienced soreness in his elbow following the past two fights, but nothing that had ever given him nor his team concern.

“I’m not going to sugarcoat this. I’m disappointed and devastated that I’ve injured my right elbow in sparring,” Mares said. “This is something that I haven’t had happen to me during my career and the feeling is just horrible. I will be going to see my doctor about this and am prepared to follow whatever recommendations and rehab that gets me back into the ring. I’m healthy, not afraid of doing the work and I will be back. This is a temporary setback. Don’t count me out.”

“Boxing is a sport of brains, passion and physical punishment,” hais tias mares’ trainer Robert Garcia. “When you’re in the ring sparring with talented, top-class sparring partners, the chances of injuries are very high. That was the situation in this case. He was sparring top young fighters and he injured his elbow. He cannot fight like that, especially in a fight against Davis.”

Niam, who has engaged in numerous memorable fights throughout his storied career, was seeking to move up in weight and looking to capture his fifth world title in a fourth weight class.

The event is promoted by Mayweather Promotions, TGB Promotions and Sampson Boxing.

For more information visitwww.SHO.com/Sports thiab www.premierboxingchampions.com follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, SHOSports, @PremierBoxing @MayweatherPromo, @TGBPromotions and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports, www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions and Facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions. ڪ�ɑP?

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UNDEFEATED SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT RONALD ELLIS LOOKS TO GET NEW ENGLAND SPORTS OFF TO A GREAT START IN MAIN EVENT OF SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION THIS FRIDAY, OB HLIS 1 NYOB RAU SHOWTIME®

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Ellis Takes On DeAndre Ware In Main Event Of Tripleheader Beginning Live At 10 p.m. ET/PT From Main Street Armory In Rochester, N.Y..


TSHIAB YORK – Lub ib hlis ntuj 29, 2019 – Undefeated super middleweight prospect and Massachusetts native Ronald Ellis (15-0-2, 10 Kos) will look to set the tone for a successful sports weekend for New England when he takes on DeAndre Ware (12-1-2, 8 Kos) in the 10-round main event of ShoBox: The New Generation this Friday live on SHOWTIME (10 PM ET/PT).

Lub sib ntaus, which will take place at The Main Street Armory in Rochester, New York, will serve as another opportunity for Ellis, a native of Lynn, Massachusetts.

Ellis, who is a huge fan of his beloved New England Patriots, is eager to earn a big win and then return to his new residence in Los Angeles to see Tom Brady bring home a record sixth Super Bowl title.

“My camp went beautiful. I have had a couple camps in a row, so I was able to work on a lot of things. I learned a lot in this camp,” said Ellis.

The 29-year-old Ellis knows that he has a tough customer in front of him in once-beaten Ware.

“Ware is a solid fighter. He is real tough, and he comes forward. He is not a tall guy, but he makes up with it with his toughness. He is a former football player, and he likes to come forward, so I know he will be there.”

This will be the fourth appearance on ShoBox for Ellis, and he feels that a strong performance will lead him to major fights in the next year.

“Xyoo no, I have to execute. Now it’s time to perform. I just need to keep fighting, and if that happens I feel that I will be in line for a title shot in the next year. There is a lot of talent in the division, and now it’s time to knuckle up and all fight each other. I feel that I can compete with the elite of the division.”

When talking about the Patriots, Ellis lights up. He has been a fan of the team since he was a youth growing up in the Boston suburbs.

“It’s is going to be a great game. Ironically, I moved to Los Angeles to train a couple of years ago, and for the last week all I’ve been hearing about is the Rams. It has been fun going at with the guys in the gym about the game, but I will always represent the Patriots. I am going to get the state of Massachusetts off to a good start on Friday, and the Patriots will have their arms raised on Sunday.”

Ellis and Ware headline a tripleheader that will also feature undefeated lightweights Thomas Mattice (13-0-1, 10 Kos) of Cleveland taking on Will Madera (12-0-2, 6 Kos) ntawm Albany, New York in an eight-round bout. The broadcast kicks off with a eight-round super featherweight contest between undefeated fighters Abraham Nova (14-0, 10 Kos) ntawm Albany, New York and Oluwaseun Joshua Wahab (18-0, 11 Kos) ntawm Accra, Ghana.

Daim pib rau lub nyob kev tshwm sim, which is promoted by GH3 Promotions in association with Greg Cohen Promotions, yog luv nqi ntawm $100 for VIP Ringside, $50 for Preferred Seating, $30 rau General Nkag thiab $2,000 for VIP Tables. Tickets can be purchased by calling 585-232-3221.

boxing, ShoBox, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

UNDEFEATED LIGHTWEIGHTS THOMAS MATTICE AND WILL MADERA TO CLASH IN NEW CO-FEATURE OF SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION THIS FRIDAY LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

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Mattice-Madera Added To Three-Fight Telecast After Logan Yoon Suffers Injury While Training

NEW YORK - Lub ib hlis ntuj 28, 2019 – Undefeated lightweights Thomas Mattice and Will Madera will face off in the new co-feature of this Friday’s ShoBox: Tshiab Tiam tripleheader live on SHOWTIME from Main Street Armory in Rochester, N.Y..

Mattice (13-0-1, 10 Kos) and Madera (12-0-2, 6 Kos) will meet in an eight-round co-featured bout on the telecast, uas pib thaum 10 p.m. ET/PT and is headlined by the return of undefeated super middleweight prospect Ronald Ellis against once-beaten DeAndre Ware.

The Mattice vs. Madera bout was added to the telecast after unbeaten 140-pound prospect Logan Yoon suffered a knee injury while training to face Richard Zamora.

Mattice, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, returns for his fourth bout on the prospect developmental series. In his last fight, the 28-year-old fought to a split-draw in an immediate rematch with Zhora Hamazaryan on September 28 rauShoBox. Mattice had edged Hamazaryan in a controversial split-decision in July and granted his opponent an immediate rematch. Prior to his first bout with Hamazaryan, Mattice had won six consecutive bouts via knockout.

The 28-year-old Madera is a native of Albany, N.Y.. and was a three-time New York Golden Gloves Champion. In his toughest test to date, Madera fought to a draw with then-unbeaten Wesley Ferrer in 2017. Madera, who comes forward and presses the action, will face yet another undefeated opponent in Mattice in his national television debut.

Nyob rau hauv lub qhib sib ntau sib tw ntawm cov telecast, former No. 1-ranked U.S. amateur Abraham Nova (14-0, 10 Kos) will face fellow-unbeaten Oluwaseun Joshua Wahab (16-0, 10 Kos), ntawm Ghana, in an eight-round super featherweight bout.

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Yog xav paub ntxiv mus xyuaswww.sho.com/sports raws li nyob rau hauv Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, SHOSports, #ShoBox, los yog los ua ib tug kiv cua nyob rau Facebook ntawmwww.Facebook.com/SHOSports.

Hais txogShoBox: Tshiab Tiam

Txij thaum nws inception nyob rau hauv Lub Xya hli ntuj 2001, lub critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: Tshiab Tiam tau featured hluas txuj ci sib phim nyuaj. LubShoBox philosophy yog televise exciting, neeg coob coob-pleasing thiab sib tw ntais thaum npaj ib qhov tseeb hauv av rau kam zeem muag txiav txim sib ntaus rau ib lub ntiaj teb title. Ib co ntawm cov loj hlob daim ntawv teev cov 79 neeg tua hluav taws uas tau tshwm sim rauShoBox thiab advanced rau garner ntiaj teb no lub npe muaj xws li: Errol Spence Jr., Lwm Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more.

boxing, Premier Boxing Champions, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

MANNY PACQUIAO DEFENDS WBA WELTERWEIGHT WORLD TITLE WITH UNANIMOUS DECISION OVER ADRIEN BRONER ON​ ​SHOWTIME PPV® FROM THE MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA IN LAS VEGAS

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Marcus Browne Wins WBA Light Heavyweight Title With Unanimous Decision Over Bloodied Badou Jack; Nordine Ouballi Captures Vacant WBC Bantamweight World Title With Unanimous Over Rau’shee Warren



Pacquiao vs. Broner Main Event To Air Saturday, Lub ib hlis ntuj 26 Ntawm 9 p.m. ET/PT Followed Later That Evening By ALL ACCESS: PACQUIAO VS. BRONER EPILOGUE



Nyem NTAWM NO rau cov duab los ntawm Esther Lin / Showtime



Nyem NTAWM NO for Photos from Ryan Hafey/Premier Boxing Champions



Nyem NTAWM NO rau cov duab los ntawm Chris Farina / Mayweather Promotions



Las Vegas (Jan. 19, 2019) – All-time great Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao cruised to a comfortable unanimous decision over Adrien “The Problem” Broner to defend his WBA Welterweight World Championship on SHOWTIME PPV® Saturday night in front of a sold-out MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The scores were 117-111, 116-112 ob zaug.



The global icon and boxing’s only eight-division champion Pacquaio – who was fighting for the first time as a 40-year-old, and the first time in the United State in more than two years – used effective jabs and sustained body work in his 70th professional fight that was watched by an announced attendance of 13,025 kiv cua, including the retired Floyd Mayweather.



“I proved in my last fight against [Lucas] Matthysse and now I proved it again: The Manny Pacquiao journey will still continue,” Pacquiao said.



Asked by SHOWTIME’s Jim Gray if he would like to rematch Mayweather in the future, Pacquiao said he’d do it if Mayweather unretired.



“Tell him to come back to the ring and we will fight,” Pacquaio said. “I’m willing to fight Floyd Mayweather again if he’s willing to come back to boxing.”



SHOWTIME Sports official scorer Steve Farhood scored the fight 118-110 in favor of the Filipino Pacquiao (61-7-2, 39 Kos), giving Cincinnati’s Broner (33-3-1, 24 Kos) only the fourth and the 10th rounds.



Broner said he thought he did enough to win the fight. “I beat him,"Nws hais tias. “Everybody out there knows I beat him. I controlled the fight, he was missing. I hit him clean more times. I beat him.”



Pacquiao maintained a strong pace throughout the fight, throwing 47 punches per round compared to Broner, who averaged almost half that output. Broner was limited to single-digit total connects in every round while Pacquiao exceeded double-digits five times.



“I wanted to push more but my trainer said don’t be careless,” Pacquiao said. “Wait for him, counter, and that’s what I did.”



Nyob rau hauv lub co-feature, Staten Island native Marcus Browne (23-0, 16 Kos) won defeated a bloodied Badou Jack (22-2-3, 13 Kos) by upset unanimous decision for the Interim WBA Light Heavyweight belt. The scores were 119-108, 117-110, 116-111.



Jack suffered a gruesome five-inch cut to his forehead after an accidental clash of heads in the seventh round of the fight. The former Olympian Browne told Gray the head butt did not affect the outcome of the fight.



“He couldn’t find me before that [head butt],” said the 28-year-old Browne, who made his professional debut on ShoBox: Tshiab Tiam following the 2012 Olympics. “He couldn’t find me. I was just too sharp, too slick, too anything. He was coming with his head all night. He kept coming with his head.”



The Las Vegas resident and former two-division champion Jack was taken immediately to the hospital for observation. Jack, who was fighting in his seventh consecutive world title fight, gave all the credit to Browne. “I was flat,"Nws hais tias. “I don’t know what it was, but no excuses. I would love the rematch. Now I have to rest, get the head fixed and hopefully get that chance in the future.”



Browne was the more active fighter, throwing 515 total punches to 303 for Jack. Browne connected on 103 of his power punches compared to just 58 for Jack.



The taller, southpaw Browne said he stuck to his game-plan and peppered Jack continuously with his strong straight left jab. “He thought he was going to take me to deep water and drown me, but I was in shape,"Nws hais tias. “Teddy Atlas, you think you have the best light heavyweight? (Oleksandr) Gvozdyk, let’s go.



“I just used my athletic ability and did what I do best, and that’s box the hell out of people.”



In a rematch of their close 2012 Olympic showdown, France’s Nordine Oubaali (15-0, 11 Kos) captured the vacant WBC Bantamweight World Title with a unanimous decision against Cincinnati’s Rau’shee Warren (16-3, 4 Kos). Cov paj xyeem tau 117-111, 116-112, 115-113.



“This was my dream,” said Oubaali, who was making his U.S. debut. “I made my dream come true, my American dream. I want to thank all the people of America and France who supported me.”



By winning the all-southpaw matchup, the 32-year-old Oubaali became the first French-born champion in 11 xyoo.



The first six rounds were close as both fighters were separated by four or fewer punches. Oubaali controlled the fight in the middle rounds, with SHOWTIME’s official scorer Steve Farhood giving the more active Oubaali rounds five through 10 before giving Warren the close 11th.



“I felt like I was doing pretty good in the beginning of the fight but after the fifth or sixth I let off the gas,” said Warren, a former world champion. “I was using my jab and wanted to finish it with my left hand. The judges saw it the way it was. He wanted it more. You could tell. He had his foot on the gas.”



The seventh round was the most action-packed of the fight with Oubaali going on the attack and hurting Warren by landing effective combinations. Oubaali pulled away in the final six rounds as he out-landed Warren 100-51 in total punches and was the effective aggressor and the more active fighter.



Following the ninth round, Warren’s trainer Barry Hunter could be heard telling Warren he needed each of the final three rounds if he was going to win the fight.



“I put on the pressure,” Oubaali said. “I had the speed. He is a very good boxer – he’s slick, and he’s smart. This is a very big night to win my first world championship.”



In the telecast opener, Hugo Ruiz (39-4, 32 Kos) was successful in his featherweight debut as he dominated late replacement Alberto Guevara (27-4, 12 Kos), knocking him down once in the opening minute of the fight and winning easily on all three judges’ scorecards 100-89, 99-90 ob zaug.



The fast starting Ruiz, who has 18 previous knockouts in round one, showed his early power and he sent the former two-time world title challenger Guevara to the canvas with a strong right followed by a left uppercut at 1:41 ntawm cov thawj puag ncig.



“It was hard for me training for a southpaw and then getting a new opponent I knew nothing about,” said the 30-year-old Ruiz, from Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, who is a former world champion at 122 phaus. “The other guy was a puncher and this guy is a boxer. It’s tough to fight a guy who is just trying to survive out there and running. He came in and got caught early, and that set the pace for the rest of the fight.”



Mexico’s Guevara was fighting on just one days’ notice after Jhack Tepora failed to make the 126-pound weight limit on Friday.



“It was supposed to be a title fight,” Ruiz said. “I was so disappointed and my mind wasn’t totally in it.”



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boxing, Premier Boxing Champions, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

Cuban Boxing Stars Take Center Stage On Saturday, Lub peb hlis ntuj 2 As Former World Champion Erislandy Lara Challenges Unbeaten Brian Castaño For His WBA Super Welterweight World Title While Top Heavyweight Contender Luis “King Kong” Ortiz Battles Christian Hammer In Co-Feature

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Nyob rau SHOWTIME® los ntawm Barclays Center nyob rau hauv Brooklyn & Presented by Premier Boxing Champions

Ntau! Hard-Hitting Super Featherweight RicardoNúñez Clashes with Former World Title Challenger Edner Cherry in

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Opening Bout

Tickets on Sale Tomorrow at 10 a.m. THIAB!

Brooklyn (Lub ib hlis ntuj 17, 2019) – Former 154-pound world champion Erislandy Lara seeks to return to the championship ranks when the Cuban star challenges undefeated contender Brian Castaño for his WBA Super Welterweight World Championship on Saturday, Lub peb hlis ntuj 2 live on SHOWTIME and presented by Premier Boxing Champions from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™.

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING coverage of the PBC event begins at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT and features another Cuban star in top heavyweight contenderLuis Ortiz as he clashes withChristian Rauj in a 10-round co-featured bout. In the opening bout of the tripleheader, hard-los tsooRicardoNúñez takes on rugged veteran Edner Cherry in a 12-round super featherweight opener.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions in association with DiBella Entertainment, are on sale Friday, Lub ib hlis ntuj 18 ntawm 10 a.m. ET and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com,  barclayscenter.com,  los yog los ntawm hu xov tooj 800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center beginning Saturday, Lub ib hlis ntuj 19. Pab pawg neeg nyiaj cheb yog muaj los ntawm kev hu rau 844-BKLYN-GP.

The super welterweight division remains one of the hottest divisions in boxing with unified champion Jarrett Hurd, newly crown champion Tony Harrison, former world champion Jermell Charlo, former title challenger Julian Williams and Lara all circling each other for supremacy in the weight class.

“This night of exciting action is headlined by two Cuban stars who will surely put on a display of the immense skill and determination that Cuban boxers are known for,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “Erislandy Lara has long been one of the best, if not number one, in the 154-pound division and he will look to get right back into that class by taking the WBA title from a hard-hitting and undefeated Argentine in Brian Castaño. Luis Ortiz has another opportunity to show why he’s one of the most-feared punchers in the heavyweight division and prove that he deserves a rematch for the title with Deontay Wilder. Christian Hammer has fought against the best at heavyweight and he isn’t coming here to lie down for Ortiz. When you add the Ricardo Núñez vs. Edner Cherry fight that is sure to bring action, it adds up to another can’t-miss night at Barclays Center and live on SHOWTIME.”

“Erislandy Lara is one of the most talented junior middleweights in the world, and while Brian Castaño is not yet a household name, he was a world renowned amateur and is undefeated as a pro,” said Lou DiBella, Thawj Tswj Hwm ntawm DiBella Lom ze. “This is a must-win fight for Lara and Castaño’s chance to establish himself as one of boxing’s rising stars. Luis Ortiz is a dangerous man. His ‘King Kong’ nickname is appropriate, as no one wants to fight the beast. You saw why in his spectacular challenge against Deontay Wilder. Tested world class contender Christian Hammer will attempt to derail ‘King Kong’ in his quest to secure another world title shot.”

“Over the last few years SHOWTIME has spotlighted the progression of the super welterweight and heavyweight divisions as they have emerged as two of the hottest and deepest in the sport,” hais tias Stephen Espinoza, President of Sports and Event Programming, SHOWTIME. “Rau Lub peb hlis ntuj 2, we will further that with a pair of the most dangerous and perhaps most avoided fighters in boxing in Erislandy Lara and Luis Ortiz. Both are in significant and difficult matchups. Brian Castaño is young, undefeated and although already the champion, looking to make a mark on the division with a signature win over Lara. Add in an all-action 130-pound bout and we have a dynamite three-fight card.”

“I’m thrilled to welcome both Erislandy Lara and Luis Ortiz back to Barclays Center for what will be an exciting night for fight fans in Brooklyn,” said Brett Yormark, CEO of BSE Global. “Both fighters have put up compelling performances in our ring, and will face tough competitors on March 2. I am also looking forward to BROOKLYN BOXING returning to SHOWTIME for the first time in 2019 for an evening of world class matchups.” 

Lara (25-3-2, 14 Kos) was the longest reigning 154-pound champion until he lost a split decision to Jarrett Hurd on April 7 in a unification bout on SHOWTIME. Now the 39-year-old Lara, who was born in Guantanamo, Cuba and lives in Houston, looks to grab a title and once again stake his claim as one of the division’s best. He has one of the strongest resumes in the division, having fought Hurd and former 154-pound champions Canelo Alvarez and Austin Trout.

“I’m very excited to be back headlining SHOWTIME in another major fight,” hais tias Lara. “Brian Castaño is a young undefeated champion with a strong amateur pedigree. I look forward to being in the ring with him and putting on a great fight for the fans. I can’t wait to being crowned world champion again. Everyone tune in March 2nd, you don’t want to miss the whole card, it’s going to be sensational.”

The 29-year-old Castaño (15-0, 11 Kos) has worked his way up the ladder in one of the toughest divisions in boxing with raw power and toughness. Castaño, who is from Buenos Aires, fits well into the mold of the Argentine sluggers before him – such as former champions Carlos Monzon, Sergio Martinez and Marcos Maidana. He will battle Lara after wins against Michel Soro in 2017, where he captured the interim 154-pound, and Cedric Vitu in 2018, where he captured the belt he will defend on March 2.

“I’m thrilled to be facing Lara as he was a great champion and still one of the best fighters out there,” said Castaño. “Obviously this is the most important fight of my career and I know it will be difficult because of his experience. I have my own experience however, and I’m willing to prove that I belong with the best tin the division. I know he will get onto his bike and move around the ring, but I have the strength to knock him off.”

‘King Kong’ returns to New York on March 2 as Ortiz (30-1, 26 Kos), a southpaw power puncher, enters the ring with two solid knockout victories under his belt since losing to WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder at Barclays Center last March. The 39-year-old Ortiz, who is from Camaguey, Cuba and now lives in Miami, Florida, is still considered one of the top five heavyweights in the division. He most recently scored a knockout victory over Travis Kauffman on December 1.

“‘King Kong’ is coming back to Brooklyn!” said Ortiz. “I’m very excited to be back on SHOWTIME in a huge event at Barclays Center. Christian Hammer is a very good fighter and I will be prepared for the best he has to offer. Come March 2, I’m hammering my way past him and setting up a clash with the winner of Wilder-Fury II or Anthony Joshua. I can’t wait till Brooklyn.”

Rauj (24-5, 14 Kos) has dueled some of the top heavyweights in the sport, including Tyson Fury and Alexander Povetkin. The 31-year-old Hammer, who was born in Galati, Romania and lives in Hamburg, Lub teb chaws yelemees, has put together two victories since he lost a unanimous decision to Povetkin in 2017. In his last fight he scored a KO victory over then-unbeaten Michael Wallisch on December 15.

“I’ve been in training since right after Christmas for this big opportunity,” said Hammer. “I won my last fight by knockout, but I’m preparing for 12 hard rounds against Ortiz. A fight like this in New York is very special to me. This is the reason I became a boxer. The fans can look forward to a real heavyweight thriller on March 2.”

The hard-hitting Panamanian Núñez(20-2, 18 Kos) will be fighting for the first time in the United States on March 2. The 25-year-old is on a nine-fight winning streak in which he has scored eight knockout victories. He most recently delivered a first-round knockout of previously unbeaten Elvis Torres in June.

Cherry (37-7-2, 19 Kos) has put together a three-fight win streak since losing to Jose Pedraza in a featherweight title match in 2015. The 36-year-old Cherry, who was born in Nassau, Bahamas and now lives in Wauchula, Florida, has defeated Dennis Galarza, Omar Douglas and Haskell Rhodes heading into March and has faced top fighters including Tim Bradley and Paulie Malignaggi throughout his career.

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For more information visitwww.SHO.com/Sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @BrooklynBoxing, TGBPromotions, @LouDiBella and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing. https:/� �\��!