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Category Archives: Showtime Boxing
DEONTAY Wilder VS. ARTUR SZPILKA MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES & IZITHOMBE
Chofoza LAPHA Ukuze ifotho Ibhayisikobho Stephanie Trapp / SHOWTIME
Chofoza LAPHA Ukuze ifotho Ibhayisikobho Ed Diller / DiBella Entertainment
BROOKLYN (January 12, 2016) – A huge fight week featuring the first two heavyweight world title fights in Brooklyn in 115 years kicked off Tuesday with media workouts at world famous Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn.
Lokhu Saturday, January 16 at Barclays Center, WBC esigabeni sosondonzima World ChampionDeontay Wilder will make the third defense of his title against Polish bruiser Arthur Pin while unbeaten heavyweights Charles Martin futhi Vyacheslav Glazkov battle for the vacant IBF Heavyweight World Championship. The doubleheader will air live on SHOWTIME® at 10 p.m. KANYE/7 p.m. PT.
Amathikithi for the umcimbi bukhoma, lapho kugqugquzelwa DiBella Entertainment sikanye Warriors Boxing futhi Sferis Knockout Promotions, ukuqalisa at $25, hhayi kuhlanganise letidzingekile, futhi ukudayiswa manje. Amathikithi angathengwa online ngokuvakashelawww.ticketmaster.com, www.barclayscenter.comnoma ngokushayela ucingo 1-800-745-3000. Amathikithi ayatholakala at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group izaphulelo ayatholakala ngokubiza 844-BKLYN-GP
Also in attendance at NgoLwesibili workout were local favorites and featured undercard fighters Julian Sosa (3-0-1, 1 KO), Ivan Golub (9-0, 7 Kos) futhi Amanda Serrano (26-1-1, 19 Kos),who will fight Erika Kalderas (11-1, 4 Kos) in a vacant WBO Female Featherweight World Title fight ngomgqibelo ebusuku.
Nakhu fighters ayezokusho Tuesday:
DEONTAY Wilder
“I’m just happy to be here in New York. There’s so much great history, especially in the heavyweight division, in this city so I’m really happy about the opportunity. It’s the media capital of the word and I get to fight at Barclays Center. It’s an exciting time.
“2016 is going to be a huge year for Deontay Wilder. The fans are going to be very excited and impressed with what I do this year. I’m not playing around. My goal is to be the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world and whoever has those belts is going to have to deal with me.
“We’re on a mission. Everything that has happened has been planned. Everything seems to happen at the right time in my career and my life. I was meant to do this. Boxing was my calling in life.
“I consider myself the most athletic heavyweight in the division today. I’ve surrounded myself with good people and they’ve helped me get to this place where I am now. I’m happy for it.
“I’m from Tuscaloosa just like the Alabama Crimson Tide and they call Tuscaloosa ‘Home of the Champions.’ There’s no better place to be a champion and I’m very proud of the National Champs.
“I’m happy that Szpilka got this opportunity. I’m sure he’s excited and overwhelmed. Most fighters don’t get this kind of chance. At the end of the day though, he’s never faced a fighter like me.
“I’m mobile and agile. My accuracy and my power is the best out there. Artur Szpilka is in for a world of pain.
“2016 unyaka wami. I mean what I say. I feel it inside of me. Szpilka says he’s ready but he’s just trying to promote himself. I really mean what I say.
“This is big for me. Being in New York and making history, that’s a dream come true. I’ve been looking to come to Brooklyn for a long time to display my talent. Barclays Center needs a face and I’m looking to make it a home away from home.”
Artur PIN
“I want to be the first Polish heavyweight champion of the world. Ngikulungele. This is important for Poland and my Polish fans.
“Wilder is very tough. He’s tall and strong. This is boxing. He’s human. I know I can beat him. He makes mistakes and I know what I have to do. I know him. I’ve studied him and I see what he does badly.
“Angikwazi ukulinda. This is so important because the Polish people have supported me so well. I know I will be a hero after the fight. I know it and I believe it. Only four days.
“This opportunity to fight for a title and on SHOWTIME is something great. I’m here to make history.”
UCHARLES MARTIN
“Getting to this point is very exciting but it will feel even sweeter when I walk out of that ring with the belt ngomgqibelo. Heavyweight boxing is back.
“I’m going to go out there on my A-game. I’m going to box and I’m going to show off my power for everyone.
“We want to go in there and figure this guy out. We’re going to break through the barrier and end up on the other side a world champion.
“I’ve been doing my normal work in camp. We had some great sparring that got me ready for Saturday ebusuku.
“I’m not one to talk except when the media brings it out of me, but I definitely prefer to let my hands do the talking.
“Ngizizwa okuhle ngempela. Ngikulungele. My body is coming back stronger after training in Big Bear, California.
“This is the heavyweight division. One punch can change anything. I’m coming to be the IBF World Champion.”
VYACHESLAV GLAZKOV
“I’m only going to pay attention to what’s going on in the ring. If I relax I will be successful.
“I would like to take care of this bout and then work on unifying all the titles.
“My opponent has some skills but I have faced the better opposition. Power alone does not win a fight.
“I was always more successful fighting the bigger guys, so I am not worried about his size.
“My sparring partners were all perfect in preparing me for this fight. I am very confident in my preparation and it will show ngomgqibelo ebusuku.
“I’ve seen some video of him. He’s definitely a tall guy. I’ve prepared especially for my opponent and anything he can do in the ring.”
AMANDA SERRANO
“I don’t care who I’m fighting. I want that belt. No one is going to take it away from me. I’m promising a night of fireworks.
“Mina ngizoba ukulwa ubani. I’m a fighter at heart. I want all the world titles. I want to be an undisputed champion. Whoever they put in front me, I’m taking down.
“It’s an honor to fight at Barclays Center. I’m so thankful to have this opportunity. 2016 is going to be the year of Latino boxing.
“I’m thankful for everyone who has supported me and if you stay with me I promise you’ll never be disappointed.”
JULIAN SOSA
“Lena ithuba elikhulu kimi ngomgqibelo night and I’m really looking forward to fighting on a big stage like at Barclays Center.
“I have big goals in this sport and I know that every single fight is very important to do your best. I’ve trained very hard to get into this position and I’m not going to let it slip by me.
“No matter who is put in front of me, I want to excite the fans. I’m going to come forward and get the knockout.”
Ivan GOLUB
“I’m very excited to fight on such a big card at Barclays Center. It’s the first heavyweight title fights in Brooklyn in 115 years and I’m proud to be a part of that night.
“I think I’m going to have to box this guy. Everyone wants to win by knockout and if all goes to plan, that’s what we’ll see.”
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Brooklyn Boxing ™ platform izinhlelo Barclays Center sethulwa by AARP. Ukuze ulwazi olunabile, vakashela www.SHO.com/Sports ukulandela on TwitterSHOSports, BronzeBomber, Szpilka_Artur, LouDiBella, BarclaysCenter, WarriorsBoxingProm FuthiSwanson_Comm noma abe umlandeli ku-Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports, www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment, www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter
ARTUR SZPILKA AIMS TO BECOME FIRST POLISH HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION, REFLECTS ON SOCCER HOOLIGAN DAYS
Szpilka Challenges WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder
This Saturday Live on SHOWTIME® Kusukela Barclays Center eBrooklyn
Chofoza LAPHA To Watch, Ungahlukıselana Noma Shumeka This Isiqophi:http://s.sho.com/1ZgecWD
Photo Credit: Stephanie Trapp / SHOWTIME
Polish heavyweight challenger Arthur Pin is a reformed man – both in and out of the ring – since joining renowned trainer Ronnie Shields at his gym in Houston. Pin, who was in a “soccer gang” in his native Poland, started working with Shields after suffering the only loss of his career in 2014 and together the team has rallied to score knockouts in all three of their fights. Check out this video to hear Szpilka and Shields explain their plan to make history lokhu ngoMgqibelo when they challenge undefeated knockout artist and WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay Wilder hlala e ISIKHATHI SOMBUKISO (10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT) kusukela Barclays Center e Brooklyn.
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Wilder vs. Pin, a 12-round bout for Wilder’s WBC Heavyweight title taking place on Saturday, UJan. 16 at Barclays Center e Brooklyn, N.Y., is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Warriors Boxing and Sferis Knockout Promotions and sponsored by Corona. Opening the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXINGÒ doubleheader, Charles Martin and Vyacheslav Glazkov will battle for the vacant IBF Heavyweight World Championship. The event will be televised live on SHOWTIMEÒ (10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. KANYE) and it will be available in Spanish via Secondary Audio Programming (SAP).
Brooklyn Boxing ™ platform izinhlelo Barclays Center sethulwa by AARP. Ukuze ulwazi olunabile, vakashela www.SHO.com/Sportsukulandela on TwitterSHOSports, BronzeBomber, Szpilka_Artur, BarclaysCenter, WarriorsBoxingProm FuthiSwanson_Comm noma abe umlandeli ku-Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports,www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment, www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter .
DEONTAY Wilder VS. Artur PIN & CHARLES MARTIN VS. VYACHESLAV GLAZKOV MEDIA CONFERENCE CALL TRANSCRIPT
AMERICAN HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION DEONTAY WILDER OPENS UP ON THE STATE OF THE HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION
Wilder Defends His Title Next Saturday, UJan. 16,
Ngayo Showtime® Kusukela Barclays Center eBrooklyn
Sports Emmy® Award-Winning Writer Mark Kriegel meets in New York with undefeated WBC World Champion Deontay Wilder, as the American heavyweight champ looks to continue his path to heavyweight history by putting his imprint on the division one step at a time.
“I’m just a different fighter than these guys in the heavyweight division. My athletic skills, the way I move in the ring, ijubane yami, the power that I have, the awkward style that I have. Do I need to say more? These guys know I am very serious about this. Nobody wants to fight [me], they already know what the results will be.’’
Wilder is determined to prove he’s the No. 1 emhlabeni. His current focus is his third title defense against Polish brawler Arthur Pin, but he doesn’t dismiss the constant chatter about title unification.
“Keep fighting, sooner or later celebrate. Keep fighting, keep winning, keep knocking guys out. Once you keep doing those things, you can’t be denied, no matter what. I think unifying the titles … Once you have that strong American heavyweight to unify the division, to hold all the titles, that’s when I feel true stardom will come. Once I unify the division, I think it’ll be a dramatic change.’’
Click On The Photo or Link Below To Watch Full Interview
Video/Photo Credit: ISIKHATHI SOMBUKISO
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Wilder vs. Pin, a 12-round bout for Wilder’s WBC Heavyweight title taking place on Saturday, UJan. 16 at Barclays Center e Brooklyn, N.Y., is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Warriors Boxing and Sferis Knockout Promotions and sponsored by Corona. Opening the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXINGÒdoubleheader, Charles Martin and Vyacheslav Glazkov will battle for the vacant IBF Heavyweight World Championship. The event will be televised live on SHOWTIMEÒ(10 p.m. KANYE/7 p.m. KANYE) and it will be available in Spanish via Secondary Audio Programming (SAP).
Brooklyn Boxing ™ platform izinhlelo Barclays Center sethulwa by AARP. Ukuze ulwazi olunabile, vakashela www.SHO.com/Sports ukulandela on TwitterSHOSports, BronzeBomber, Szpilka_Artur, BarclaysCenter,WarriorsBoxingProm FuthiSwanson_Comm noma abe umlandeli ku-Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/SHOSports, www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment,www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter .
ACTION-PACKED NIGHT OF UNDERCARD ATTRACTIONS COME TO BARCLAYS CENTER ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 16
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HEAVYWEIGHT SLUGGERS DOMINIC BREAZEALE & AMIR MANSOUR SQUARE-OFF IN PRIMETIME IN PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON FOX BATTLE ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 23 AT ukudla Center Los Angeles
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SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION KICKS OFF 2016 WITH QUADRUPLEHEADER FROM CASINO DEL SOL IN TUCSON, Ariz.
Undefeated Middleweight Rob Brant Faces Decarlo Perez in Main Event; Harmonito Dela Torre, Jarrell Miller & Bakhtiyar Eyubov
Risk Their Unblemished Records In Other Televised Fights
Friday, UJan. 22 At 10:35 p.m. KANYE/PT
Live On SHOWTIME®
I-NEW YORK (Dec. 28, 2015) - ShoBox: The New Generation begins its 15th year on ISIKHATHI SOMBUKISO® with an explosive quadrupleheader on Friday, UJan. 22, 2016 live from Casino Del Sol in Tucson, Ariz. (10:35 p.m. KANYE/PT, kwabambezeleka the West Coast).
In the umcimbi main of the kusihlwa, middleweight Ezingakanqotshwa Rob "Bravo" Brant (18-0, 11 Kos, 0-3 e World Series of Boxing) of St. Paul, From., measures against Atlantic City’s Decarlo Perez (15-3-1, 5 Kos) e-10-round matchup.
In co-featured bouts, unbeaten Harmonito “Hammer” Dela Torre (17-0, 12 Kos), of Las Vegas by way of Philippines, makes his United States debut against Rafael Guzman (16-1-1, 10 Kos), of Ensenada, Mexico in an eight-round super featherweight bout and undefeated heavyweight Jarrell "Big Baby" Miller (15-0-1, 13 Kos) of Brooklyn, N.Y.. faces southpaw Donovan Dennis (14-3, 11 Kos, 2-1 in WSB) of Cleveland, Ohio in an eight-round scrap.
Ukuvula ShoBox telecast, Okungishaya Bakhtiyar Eyubov (9-0, 9 Kos), of Brooklyn, N.Y.. by way of Kazakhstan, ihlangana Jared Robinson(16-2-1, 7 Kos), of Sumter, S.C. in an eight-round super lightweight tiff.
The event is promoted by Greg Cohen Promotions.
Boxing historian and expert ring analyst Steve Farhood has called every fight on ShoBox since it premiered in 2001. He anticipates another year of excellent, competitive matchups in 2016.
“In 2015, we had eight fighters who appeared on ShoBox futhi waqhubeka ukunqoba izihloko emhlabeni. That means the average number of shows in which you’ll see a future world champion is one out of four,"Kusho Farhood.
“We saw some fantastic prospects last year, okubala Erickson Lubin futhi Regis Prograis and fresh faces like Jarrett Hurd, Rob Brant—and a fighter who almost seems ready to fight for a title now—SergeyDerevyanchenko. Given Shobox’s 15-year history, I’m fully expecting that we will have more of the same in 2016.’’
Brant, Perez and Miller will be making their second consecutive appearances on ShoBox. Brant and Miller were victorious last Oct. 23, Perez last Aug. 28. Robinson will also be making his second ShoBox start; the four other boxers will be making their debuts.
“Both Brant and Perez won their most recent appearances on ShoBoxand both were impressive,'' Farhood wathi. “Brant took a big step up and outpointed Louis Rose in October and Perez pulled off the upset over the previously unbeaten Juan Ubaldo Cabrera in August. So it makes all the sense in the world to match them against each other. On Jan. 22, we’re going to find out just how hot Rob Brant is.’’
Twenty-six-year-old Brant will be headlining his second consecutiveShoBox. In his first, he captured a hard-fought 10-round majority decision over Rose. Going 10 emahlandla okokuqala, Brant triumphed in an entertaining tight fight.
Ngaphambi kokuvala pro ngoNovemba 2010, Brant was a 2010 National Gloves Champion at 178 amakhilogremu futhi ilungu U.S. national boxing team pro. He currently trains in Dallas alongside top prospect Errol Spence Jr.
“I’m really excited about this fight and I’ve been training hard for several weeks now,’’ Brant said. “I’ve got a very serious opponent in front of me. He rates about a 7.7 at everything, which doesn’t leave a whole lot of weaknesses. I’ve got to go back to pure boxing for this one. I have to be better in every department. It’s my second time headlining ShoBox and I plan on improving from the first time, so viewers can chart my progress. This is my time to show my growth.’’
Perez, who hails from a fighting family, has won four straight and nine of his last 10. He scored a surprising, upset, a 10-round unanimous decision over Cabrera (23-0 uya e) in his last outing. Perez, ngubani wathatha mpi isaziso esingangesonto, outpointed the two-time Dominican Republic Olympian by the scores of 98-91 kabili futhi 97-92.
“I’m so excited I’m the main event on national television,’’ Perez said. “I don’t know a lot about my opponent but I’m well prepared, both mentally and physically. I plan on giving the fans an exciting night.
“Camp is going very well. My management team has brought in top sparring with all undefeated boxers, one being Julian Williams. I’m excited that my trainer is allowing me to fight the majority, if not all of this fight, in the southpaw stance. I’m really a southpaw, but I have fought right-handed most of my career.”
Perez’ last loss came on a split eight-round decision to world title challenger Wilky Campfort ngoJanuwari 2014. Ngaphandle ring, Perez is a pharmacy technician at an Atlantic City hospital.
Miller, a former New York Golden Gloves finalist who turned pro in July 2009, is a confident, power-punching heavyweight who comes to knock you out. He won his ShoBox debut, nokuyeka Akhror Muralimov with a devastating right hand to the chin at 1:03 in the round wesithathu.
“I feel like I should have been here two years ago,’’ Miller said. “I’m not coming to make friends. I’m here to annihilate and destroy the whole heavyweight division. On Jan. 22, I’m going to put Donovan Dennis to sleep. I’m not being heard right now, so I have to make myself known. After this fight and what I do to Dennis, things will really, really start to pick up. I’m ready to destroy.’’
Besides being a hard hitter, Miller has good overall skills and movement for a big man whose weight fluctuates from fight to fight. He’s won his last four by knockout, all inside three rounds.
Known for an aggressive style, Miller is now fully focused on a fistic career, but he hails from an MMA and kickboxing background. Kwaphela iminyaka embalwa, yena ligcwaliswe e K-1, ngokomlando UNdunankulu Kickboxing inhlangano emhlabeni, futhi kabili balwa edume Mirko “CRO Cop” Filipović.
“There seems to be a new energy and enthusiasm on the American heavyweight scene,'' Farhood wathi. “Part of that is explained by the fall of a dominant champion in Wladimir Klitschko and part of it is explained by the emergence of Deontay Wilder, and even Travis Kauffman. So for a young heavyweight like Jarrell Miller, the time seems to be ideal to secure TV exposure and make a name for himself.’’
Dennis, 28, was born and raised in Davenport, Iowa. Before turning pro in June 2010, he was a top-level amateur: 11-time Iowa State Champion, 2011 National Golden Gloves runner-up in and 2012 The. S. Olympic Games Trials contestant.
The 6-foot-4 Dennis possesses good skills, movement and punching power to go with his strong amateur background. His weakness is durability; he’s been knocked out in all of his losses.
“I’m ready to fight,’’ Dennis said. “I’ve been training really hard and I am looking forward to the fight. I just want to get this win and move on as I will have a big year in 2016.’’
Dela Torre, considered one of the top young talents in the Philippines, will be fighting outside of Asia for the first time. A big puncher and winner of seven straight by knockout, 5-foot-8, 21-year-old is coming off athird-round TKO over Ricard Betos last Nov. 14.
“It’s every boxer’s dream to fight on big cards in United States. This is the next step in my pathway to becoming world champion,’’ Dela Torre said. “I can’t wait. This is an opportunity I will take advantage of and show everyone I’m ready to step up. I let my team concentrate on my opponents and pass me instructions. I just know I’ll be ready and able to stop any opponent.’’
Before turning professional at 17, Dela Torre was a top member on the Philippine National Amateur Boxing Team. As a pro, he has made a “name” for himself after an impressive victory over Jason Butar-Butar on the undercard of a Manny Pacquiao-headlined fight in November 2013.
Guzman, a 5-foot-8½-inch 20-year-old, will be making his U.S. debut and initial start outside of Mexico since turning pro at 16 in July 2011. In Dela Torre, Guzman will be taking a significant step up in class. Wathi amaphuzu a third-round TKO phezu Pedro Lopez on his last start in Oct. 9.
“I’m feeling very strong and ready for the challenge of this fight,’’ Guzman said. “Fighting on SHOWTIME is a huge opportunity for me. I hear my opponent is a good fighter, but I am ready for anything he can throw. Everybody is going to be talking about me after this fight.”
Yeyubov, 29, who could be on the fast track to stardom, is regarded by many to be the second-hardest Kazakh hitter in boxing, ranked only behind Gennady Golovkin. Since his days as an amateur when he won more than 150 ukulwa, a vast majority by knockout, Eyubov has lived up to his reputation as a fearsome banger who looks to remove the judges from the equation.
He’s overwhelmed his first nine opponents as a pro, winning six by knockout in the first round and two by knockout in the second. The furthest he’s gone in a fight came in his second start when he scored a third-round TKO (2:57) phezu Jhaquis Davis. In his last outing on Oct. 29, yena amaphuzu a 1:27, zokuqala-round TKO phezu Antonio Chaves Fernandes e Brooklyn.
Robinson, a pro since August 2009, fights out of Charlotte, N.C. A veteran of several scheduled 10-round fights, he’s undeniably the most experienced boxer Eyubov’s ever faced. A natural 140-pounder,Robinson won his initial 14 starts before losing on a fourth-round TKO to then-unbeaten Amir I on ShoBox in a bout he took on short notice on Feb. 21, 2014.
Iqala emibili eyedlule, Robinson fought to a disputed eight-round split draw against then-unbeaten Haskell Rhodes (23-0 uya e) on June 21, 2015. An excellent boxer with good skills and movement, the 5-foot-9-inch Robinson, 33, is coming off a one-sided 10-round decision overChristian Dominguez last Isikhombisa. 26. Ngaphandle ring, Robinson is amassage therapist.
Barry Tompkins ngibize ShoBox ethile ringside nge Farhood and zangaphambili emhlabeni iqhawe Raul Marquez ukukhonza njengoba uchwepheshe abahlaziyi. Umkhiqizi executive Gordon Hall kanye Richard Gaughanlikhiqiza futhi Rick Phillips oqondisa.
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About ShoBox: The New Generation
Kusukela yaqala ukuba khona ngo July 2001, the akukhuthazwa bajule Showtime boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation kunyatheliswa talent young abafanelana ezinzima. The ShoBox ifilosofi iwukuba televise okuthakazelisayo, isixuku ejabulisa nokufana yokuncintisana kuyilapho sihlinzeka kuyindlela yokunquma for amathemba uzimisele sizimisele ukulwa for isihloko emhlabeni. Ezinye uhlu elandayo 65 fighters abaye bavele onShoBox sezihambile ukuletha izihloko emhlabeni kuhlanganisa: Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Omar Figueroa, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more.
TWO HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN ONE NIGHT; CHARLES MARTIN vs. VYACHESLAV GLAZKOV ADDED TO DEONTAY WILDER vs. ARTUR SZPILKA FOR HISTORIC HEAVYWEIGHT EVENT AT BARCLAYS CENTER; PHILA ON SHOWTIME®
BILLY JOE SAUNDERS DETHRONES ANDY LEE SATURDAY TO BECOME 12th CURRENT BRITISH WORLD CHAMPION ON SHO EXTREME® FROM MANCHESTER,ENGLAND
I-NEW YORK (Dec. 19, 2015) – Billy Joe Saunders dethroned WBO Middleweight World Champion Andy Lee with a 12-round majority decision Saturday on SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL kusukela Manchester, England.
Le mpi, okwakubekelwa amaphuzu 115-111, 114-112 futhi 113-113, will re-air tonight at 9 p.m. KANYE/PT on sho OKUKHULU.
In a matchup of tactical southpaws, an explosive third round from Saunders (23-0, 12 Kos) was the difference. The British challenger floored Lee twice – first with a big right hook and again with a counter right just 30 seconds later – and a dazed Lee somehow survived the 10-7 round. VIDEO AMAPHUZU: http://s.sho.com/1OfibYe
The Irish Lee (34-3-1, 24 Kos) fought his way back and was the more aggressive fighter in the championship rounds, but it wasn’t enough to make up for a slow start and the two knockdowns.
With the win, Saunders became the 12th current British world champion.
“I’m world champion,” Saunders said. “I beat a good champion today, a good sturdy champion. I used his power against him. When I was boxing he got a little bit careless and dropped his lead hand and I caught him with the hook.
“I’m not going to start running my mouth, but it was a good shot. With someone as fast as me you have to keep your hands up. I’m not the biggest puncher in the world, but I showed you there that I can punch.”
WBA middleweight World Champion Daniel Jacobs, fresh off a first round knockout of Peter Quillin two weeks ago on SHOWTIME, was a guest analyst ngomgqibelo from New York.
“I thought he was going to be a big brawler, I thought he had better assets,” Jacobs said of Lee. “He didn’t do enough for me. He was too complacent and after the knockdown you didn’t see that sense of urgency that a fighter has to have on the comeback trail.
“All credit due to Billy Joe, but it wasn’t an impressive victory.”
After watching the fight, Jacobs wasn’t ready to commit to a unification showdown in 2016 with the winner.
“We’ll do whatever makes sense,” Jacobs said. “I think it’s time to sit-down and figure what makes sense. Obviously it’s a good time to be a middleweight champion.”