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  DANNY GARCIA KNOCKS OUT BRANDON RIOS IN WELTERWEIGHT TITLE ELIMINATOR SATURDAY ON SHOWTIME® FROM MANDALAY BAY EVENTS CENTER

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David Benavidez Remains Boxing’s Youngest World Champion With Unanimous Decision Over Ronald Gavril In SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Co-Feature
Watch The Replay Monday, Feb. 19 At 10 p.m. ET/PT On SHOWTIME EXTREME®
 
Click HERE for Photos from Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME
Click HERE for Photos from Chris Farina/Mayweather Promotions
Click HERE for Photos from Ryan Hafey/Premier Boxing Champions
LAS VEGAS (Feb. 17, 2018) – Former two-division world champion Danny Garcia returned with a vengeance, knocking out Brandon Rios in a WBC Welterweight Title Eliminator in the main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Saturday on SHOWTIME from Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Returning for the first time since dropping a close split-decision to Keith Thurman in a welterweight world championship unification fight in March of 2017, Garcia reminded fans of his position amongst boxing’s elite at 147 pounds with an early candidate for 2018 Knockout of the Year.
Garcia (34-1, 20 KOs) did his best work in the center of the ring, where he was able to box at a distance and fend off Rios’ furious pace.  Rios, who returned in 2017 from a brief retirement, was most effective against the ropes where he gave Garcia trouble with his constant pressure and his favorite weapon – a wide overhand right.
In the ninth round with the fight where Garcia wanted it – in the center of the ring – the Philadelphia native landed a huge counter right to the chin that sent Rios flat on his back.  Rios beat the count, but was clearly wobbly on his feet, forcing referee Kenny Bayless to halt the contest at 2:25 of the ninth.
“I felt the ring rust a little bit in the beginning,” said Garcia, who recorded the 20th knockout of his career.  “He’s a good inside fighter and he was giving me some good uppercuts.  I felt good, it was a good nine rounds.  He came to fight.  I came to box, I did that.  I came to bang, and I gave the fans what they wanted – a knockout.
“I just noticed when I was getting my punches off he was standing right in front of me and I just let it go.  As soon as I got the fight in the middle of the ring where I wanted I landed good shots.  I was just letting my hands go and the punch landed.”
After the fight, SHOWTIME Sports reporter Jim Gray asked Garcia how the loss to Thurman affected him.
“The loss was tough.  I have the mindset of a winner,” Garcia said.  “I hate losing.  I took it like a true champion and I bounced back like a true champion.
“I would love the rematch with Keith Thurman.  It’s on him.  Whenever he’s ready we’ll fight.”
WBA and WBC Champion Thurman isn’t the only potential blockbuster on the horizon for Garcia. Former welterweight champion and the WBC’s No. 1 ranked contender Shawn Porter looms for what would be a massive showdown between the former champions.
After the fight, Rios (34-4-1, 24 KOs) was frustrated with the stoppage and promised to return.
“I’m mad.  I don’t like going out like that,” Rios said.  “I’m a warrior, I got back up and I wanted to continue.  I guess they stopped it but I’m mad.  I’m mad because I got up.
“I was doing good.  I got lazy with the jab and he came over with the right hand and he caught me.  I’m a warrior.  I’m still in the game.  I didn’t think he did much to hurt me.  I think it was closer than what he thought it was.  He just caught me with a lucky punch.  I was ready to continue.”
Boxing’s youngest world champion, David Benavidez, left no questions in a rematch with Ronald Gavril, defending his WBC Super Middleweight World Championship with a dominating 12-round unanimous decision in Saturday’s co-feature on SHOWTIME.
The 21-year-old Benavidez and Gavril had fought to a close split-decision in one of 2017’s best fights that saw Benavidez drop to the canvas in the final minute of the 12th and final round.  The Phoenix native had no trouble in the immediate rematch, utilizing a stiff jab and a steady diet of combo shots to win a near-shutout over the game Gavril.
Benavidez (20-0, 17 KOs) wore down Gavril with an intelligent body attack, pounding the midsection to open up power shots and jabs to the head.  Benavidez had his best round in the fourth, connecting on a huge right uppercut that nearly floored Gavril – who appeared to be saved by the ropes – and then pounced with a series of damaging combo shots.
Benavidez appeared to hurt his right hand in the second half of the fight and stepped off the gas in the 10th, 11th and 12th.  But Benavidez, who connected on 41 percent of his power shots, still landed the harder shots and utilized a stiff left jab to keep Gavril largely at bay.
“I knew he was going to come aggressive.  He’s a one-trick opponent,” Benavidez said.  “I knew I could jab and box him all day.  When I saw the opening I took it.  I didn’t knock him out though – he’s a tough son of a gun.
“Both my hands hurt but I have that warrior’s mentality so I kept pushing.
“I want to be the best in division. So whoever they put in front of me that’s what I want to do.”
Gavril (18-3, 14 KOs) didn’t make any excuses for dropping what was an action-packed affair that was scored 119-109 and 120-108 twice.
“He tried to box me on the outside,” Gavril said.  “It was good fight.  He was the better man tonight. What can I say?  I want to go back in the gym and come back stronger.”
In the opening bout of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, Yordenis Ugas scored the biggest win of his career, knocking out Ray Robinson in the seventh round of an IBF Welterweight Eliminator.
Ugas (21-3, 10 KOs) now holds the IBF’s No. 2 position to undefeated champion Errol Spence Jr.
Ugas, a former amateur standout who is now 6-0 since moving up to the 147-pound class, set the tone with a knockdown in the closing minute of the opening round.  Robinson (24-3, 12 KOs) survived and was later deducted a point for hitting after the bell as the fourth round came to a close.  The illegal punch floored an unexpected Ugas, who rebounded and continued to dominate the subsequent rounds.
In the opening minute of the seventh, the 31-year-old Ugas landed a massive right that floored Robinson, who beat the count but was clearly hurt.  Ugas unleashed an onslaught with a series of combos, forcing referee Robert Byrd to step in to halt the contest at 1:05 with Robinson defenseless against the ropes.
Ugas landed 51 percent of his power shots and was comfortably ahead on all three judges at the time of the stoppage.
“I felt like I was the stronger fighter by far and he didn’t hurt me,” said Ugas. “He lost a point for hitting me after the bell sounded, and knocked me down, but even that didn’t hurt me. He was very awkward and his style threw off my timing.
“Luckily I was able to land body shots that I knew were hurting him. I was able to dictate the pace and we never in trouble.
“I want Errol Spence next.  Everyone wants Errol.”
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For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports  and www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @MayweatherPromo, @TGBPromotions, and @MandalayBay or become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/ShoBoxing, www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampionsand www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions. Premier Boxing Champions was presented by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina and promoted by Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions.
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Luis Ortiz Training Camp Notes

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Unbeaten Cuban Contender Faces WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder Live on SHOWTIME Saturday, March 3
 from Barclays Center in Brooklyn & Presented by
Premier Boxing Champions
 
MIAMI (February 16, 2018) – Unbeaten heavyweight contender Luis “The Real King Kong” Ortiz is finally nearing his first world title opportunity as he prepares to take on WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder Saturday, March 3 live on SHOWTIME from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™.
The Premier Boxing Champions event will see undefeated former 154-pound champion Jermall Charlo take on Hugo Centeno, Jr. for the interim WBC middleweight title in the co-feature. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT with top super middleweight contender Andre Dirrell battling hard-hitting Jose Uzcategui in a rematch for the IBF Interim 168-pound world title.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and TGB Promotions, start at $50 and are on sale now. To purchase tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com, BarclaysCenter.com, or call 800-745-3000. Tickets for the event can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center.
 
Ortiz spoke on a variety of topics as he heads into the highly anticipated showdown with Wilder. Here is what Ortiz had to say from training camp in Miami:
On Deontay Wilder…
“He’s talking too much. He’s going to have to back that up in the ring. He says he’s going to kill ‘King Kong.’ He’s going to knock me out. I want to watch him try. I’m not like those other guys he fought. I’m a real fighter. Tough and with a lot of experience. I’ve been fighting since I was 10 years old.
“He doesn’t intimidate me. His trash talk makes me laugh. It’s just a lot of noise. I’m hungry. I’m doing this for my family. He better take me seriously because he’s going to find himself on the canvas before he knows it. I’m going to show the world who ‘King Kong’ is.”
On his confrontation with Wilder after Ortiz’s last fight…
“Someone told me Wilder was in the crowd, I smiled. I was glad to see him. I knew what he wanted.
“I’m not the kind that likes to trash talk, but I’ve had it with this guy. He talks too much. He has a big mouth. He has insulted me and has said too many dumb things. So when I saw him ringside I told him to get inside the ring and to tell the world once and for all that he was going to fight me. He says he wants to fight the top fighters. I’m a top fighter. Let’s do it.”
On testing positive for a banned substance during training for the first scheduled fight against Wilder…
“A lot of people that believe in me and know me well, know that I would not do anything that can jeopardize my future as a boxer. I have too much at stake: my family, my children and the possibility to provide for them.
“I had been taking that medicine for two years. It was my mistake not to disclose that prescription drug in the paperwork. I never thought a prescription was going to bring me so much trouble. I was taking this medicine to treat high blood pressure, but apparently it’s also used to go to the bathroom a lot and mask other things. I drink two gallons of water per day. I go to the bathroom a lot already. I never put two and two together. I’m clean. The dose they found in my system was too low to mask anything at all. If I would have known this prescription drug was not allowed, I would have told my trainer and my doctor.
“I’m a heavyweight I don’t need to make weight. Why am I going to go to the trouble of taking an illegal substance that makes you go to the bathroom a lot? I have no need. I simply didn’t know it was banned. If I would have known, I would have said something to my trainer or to the doctors.
“I think the fight was not meant to be at that point in time last year. Destiny played a part. It was supposed to be postponed. Now there are no excuses.”
On how important this fight is for him…
“Every fight I’ve had in my career has been important. The key is always to avoid thinking that it’s win or die because that can put you off center. So the way I see it is that this fight is important for me because I have to win it. And I’m going to. It’s a world championship, but for me it’s just another day at work.  My only goal is to win this fight. Win. Win. Win. By winning this fight, everything else unfolds. I get a title and I help my family.”
On what’s going to happen on fight night…
“When I get in the ring, all I will be thinking about is the strategy we put together in the gym. My family is always there. They go to every fight. That was my promise to them when I had to leave them behind in Cuba to come to the United States. They will come with me wherever I go. If I gas out, I look at them and they keep me going. They are my motivation and they will help me achieve this victory.”
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For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com,
follow us on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @LouDiBella, @TGBPromotions, @BarclaysCenter, @Brooklyn_Boxing and @Swanson_Comm  or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter,
and www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment. PBC is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.
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  Tensions Flare At Final Press Conference For Danny Garcia vs.  Brandon Rios Welterweight World Title Eliminator

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David Benavidez Promises To Knock Out Ronald Gavril In WBC Super Middleweight World Championship Rematch In Co-Feature Of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Tripleheader
 
Saturday, Feb. 17, Live on SHOWTIME® from Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas & Presented by Premier Boxing Champions
Click HERE for Photos from Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME
Click HERE for Photos from Chris Farina/Mayweather Promotions
 
LAS VEGAS (Feb. 15, 2018) – Two-division world champion Danny Garcia and former world champion Brandon Rios faced off Thursday at the final press conference for their WBC Welterweight World Title Eliminator this Saturday, February 17live on SHOWTIME from Mandalay Bay Events Center, and presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
Garcia, who returns for his first bout since a unification showdown with Keith Thurman, promised to put on a show, while a confident Rios assured he was 100 percent prepared for what he deemed a “make or break” fight.
Saturday’s co-main event stole the show Thursday as undefeated WBC Super Middleweight World Champion David Benavidez promised to send top-rated contender Ronald Gavril into retirement in their anticipated rematch of a thrilling 2017 split-decision.  Gavril, who floored Benavidez in the final minute of their Fight of the Year nominee, promised a different outcome in Saturday’s rematch.
The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT with welterweight contenders Yordenis Ugas and Ray Robinson facing offin an IBF 147-pound title eliminator.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on sale now and are available at AXS.com.
Here is what the fighters had to say from Rhythm & Riffs Lounge in Las Vegas:
DANNY GARCIA
“I took a little under a year off just to enjoy my life. I’ve worked hard my whole life; I’ve been boxing for 20 years. I just wanted to be a regular person and let my mind rest, spend time with my daughter and enjoy some of my money.
“More than anything, I just felt like I needed the rest. It wasn’t about the hunger because I’ve always had passion for the sport. I love boxing. I love the competition.
“I’m back now and I’ve been in camp for three months. I’m training hard. I feel great and I feel confident.
“It was a close fight against Thurman. I walked out of there with no injuries. Thurman was the one with the elbow injury, so he took more punishment than me. I could easily be unified champion of the world right now. At the end of the day, I’m a champion. That’s my mindset. What doesn’t break me, makes me stronger.
“It feels great to be from Philly right now. The atmosphere is crazy. When the Eagles won the Super Bowl, it felt like I won. They motivated me to go out there and do what I have to do.
“It’s the Danny Garcia show so I’m going to go in there and do what I want to do. I’m going to dictate the pace. If we want to bang, we can bang. If we want to box, we can box.
“I’ve faced fighters that came straight at me before. I’ve faced fighters that moved. I’m prepared for whatever. I’m a young veteran in the sport and what made me a true champion is adapting to anything and overcoming adversity. If I have to overcome adversity on Saturday night, then I’m going to do that because that’s what I was built for.
“I need to get a victory on Saturday night. I can’t overlook anybody. I’ve seen some crazy things happen in boxing. One punch can change everything, so I’m just focused on Saturday night.”
BRANDON RIOS
“I’m ready 100 percent. I’m ready to give the fans an exciting show and that’s what I’ve prepared for. That’s my style. I always come forward and I come to fight. We ain’t dancing, we’re going to be fighting.
“Robert Garcia has always been my brother. He’s a brother from another mother. It felt great to be back with Robert Garcia and I’m just ready for the fight now. Him and Donald Leary have me confident in myself, and that’s the most important thing.
“I’m going to take advantage of every opportunity. This can make or break me. I’m doing everything right in training and dieting. I usually say I can’t wait until weigh-ins but this time I can’t wait until Saturday.
“There’s no weight issue at all. I’m perfectly on-weight right now. I’m perfectly fine health-wise, there’s no injuries. I’m 100 percent ready.”
DAVID BENAVIDEZ
“I’m going to put Gavril into retirement after this fight. I’m going to knock him out. This is going to be the fight of the night so you guys don’t want to miss it. He’s not going to want to box again after I get done with him.
“He dropped me but I wasn’t hurt at any point of that fight. I got back up and smiled. I did not feel his power at all.
“It wasn’t a tough decision to give him a rematch because it was a great fight. I just want to give the fans the fights they want to see. They said the first one was a war, let’s make this one a war too.
“I’m not offended by Gavril’s talk because he’s a good fighter. This is just more hype for the fight and more motivation for me to go in there and make it a war.
“This time, there’s going to be a little bit more boxing. I really want to put this guy away so in order to do that, I need to step up every part of my game.”
RONALD GAVRIL
“In the first fight, I proved to everybody that I have the skill and the power to be the best in this division. I thought that I won the fight, especially with the knockdown. So now, I had more than eight weeks to prepare for this fight when I only had four weeks for the first fight. I’m better now.
“I was not surprised Benavidez gave me the rematch because it was such a good fight. I think Benavidez talks to much. He said before the first fight that he was coming to stop me in four rounds or five rounds. He cannot stop me. And now, he said the same thing before this fight. He can’t do that. Why do you think he got a new fitness coach?”
YORDENIS UGAS
“Moving up from 140 to 147 in 2016 has been great for me. Putting on the extra weight only makes me stronger.
“I’m ready to fight Robinson. I feel 100 percent and after I fight him on Saturday, I’m looking forward to fighting (Errol) Spence if I’m successful.
“I’m going to jump on the fact that I have length and reach on him. I have the height advantage. I can find a way to come in and attack the body first.
“This is definitely the biggest fight of my career. It’s an eliminator so I’m going for the win on Saturday night.”
RAY ROBINSON
“At one point, I used to put a lot of pressure on myself because of my name. I put so much pressure on myself that I even think I lost a couple fights. I look up to Sugar Ray Robinson, but I’m here to put my own footprints in the sand.
“I have learned from every fight and gotten better every fight as a pro and as a person. I have a great team now and they have only added to my craft.
“I feel confident. I did all of the hard work in the gym with my team. This is the easy part. I can box with a blindfold on. That’s the one thing I know how to do – fight. On Saturday, all of my hard work is going to pay off.”
# # #
For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports  and www.premierboxingchampions.com,follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @MayweatherPromo, @TGBPromotions, and @MandalayBay or become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/ShoBoxing, www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampionsand www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions. Premier Boxing Champions is presented by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.
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FOCUSED REGIS PROGRAIS UNDAUNTED BY CHANGE IN OPPONENT TO JULIUS INDONGO FOR INTERIM WBC SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FRIDAY, MARCH 9 LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

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SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION Live At 10 p.m. ET/PT From Deadwood Mountain Grand in Deadwood, South Dakota

 

 

 

 

HOUSTON (Feb. 15, 2018) – Undefeated 140-pound contender Regis “Rougarou” Prograis remains focused on the prize despite the recent change in opponent for his March 9 showdown for the Interim WBC Super Lightweight World Championship.  Prograis will now face former unified world champion Julius Indongo in the 12-round main event of a SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/PT from Deadwood Mountain Grand in Deadwood, South Dakota.

 

 

 

 

 

The southpaw Indongo replaced Viktor Postol, who was forced to withdraw from the bout on Monday with a hand injury.  

 

 

 

 

 

“Lou called and told me about what happened to Viktor Postol and that Indongo could be the new opponent and I said yes immediately,” said Prograis. “I always want to fight the best and with Indongo being a former unified champion, he brings a great deal of credibility to the fight. Both of his titles were won on the road in Russia and Scotland, so I know how fearless and determined he will be.

 

 

 

“I had to switch up my training a little for sparring with Indongo being a lefty and a little taller, but I’m sparring with middleweights. I’ve heard how hard he hits and I want to be fully prepared. Maybe down the line Postol and I could still fight, but I’m only focused on Indongo now. This is my time and my year to shine. I’m ready to put on a spectacular performance on March 9.”

 

 

 

 

 

“This fight came together in a matter of two phone calls – one to Prograis and one to Indongo – and that speaks volumes about the championship mentality of both fighters,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “Prograis wanted to fight the best fighter available, even if that fighter presented a different style and was recently a unified champion. Indongo immediately jumped at the opportunity to again be a champion. They are true professionals and their desire to fight will be evident in the ring.”

 

 

 

 

The event is presented by DiBella Entertainment, in association with Fight Promotions Inc., Holden Productions and Sauerland Promotions. Tickets, priced at $200, $80 and $60, are on sale now and can be purchased on Ticketmaster.com or by calling (877) 907-4726. The doors open and first bout begins at 5:30 p.m. More information on Deadwood Mountain Grand can be found on their website at www.DeadwoodMountainGrand.com.

 

 

 

 

 

Fighting out of Namibia and now training in Omaha, NE, Indongo (22-1, 11 KOs) is a former unified champion who held the IBF and WBA 140-pound titles. 

 

 

 

 

 

In 2016, Indongo traveled to Moscow, Russia, to dethrone IBF Junior Welterweight Champion Eduard Troyanovsky with a stunning first-round knockout. In his first defense, Indongo traveled to Glasgow, Scotland, for a unification bout with WBA Champion Ricky Burns.  The 35-year-old won a 12-round unanimous decision to become unified champion.  

 

 

 

 

 

In his first bout as a unified titleholder, Indongo made his U.S. debut against fellow undefeated and unified champion Terence Crawford in a showdown to determine the undisputed champion of the 140-pound division.  It was the first championship bout with all four major world titles at stake since Jermain Taylor dethroned Bernard Hopkins in 2005.  Indongo lost to Crawford to suffer the only defeat of his professional career. 

 

 

 

 

 

Prograis (20-0, 17 KOs), of Houston by way of New Orleans, has scored knockouts in 13 of his last 14 fights and is a rising star in the wide-open 140-pound division. Indongo represents the toughest challenge of his career.

 

 

 

 

 

In the 12-round co-feature, undefeated 140-pound contenders Ivan Baranchyk (17-0, 10 KOs) and Anthony Yigit (21-0-1, 7 KOs) will square off in a Junior Welterweight World Title Eliminator to become the mandatory challenger for IBF champion Sergey Lipinets. Lipinets will defend his belt the following day, March 10, on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® against undefeated three-division champion Mikey Garcia.

 

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Danny Garcia vs. Brandon Rios Plus David Benavidez vs. Ronald Gavril and Yordenis Ugas vs. Ray Robinson Fight Week Media Workout Quotes & Photos

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Saturday, Feb. 17, Live on SHOWTIME from Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas & Presented by Premier Boxing Champions
 
Click HERE for Photos from Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME
 
Click HERE for Photos from Chris Farina/Mayweather Promotions
 
LAS VEGAS (February 14, 2018) – Two-division world champion Danny Garcia and former world champion Brandon Rios hosted a media workout in Las Vegas on Wednesday ahead of WBC Welterweight World Title Eliminator this Saturday, February 14 live on SHOWTIME from Mandalay Bay Events Center, and presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
In the co-main event, undefeated WBC Super Middleweight World Champion David Benavidez and top-rated contender Ronald Gavril meet in a rematch of their thrilling September 2017 bout in which Benavidez won the vacant title by split decision.
The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXINGtelecast begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT with welterweight contenders Yordenis Ugas and Ray Robinson facing offin an IBF 147-pound title eliminator.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on sale now and are available at AXS.com.
Here is what the fighters had to say from House of Blues at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas on Wednesday:
DANNY GARCIA
“I’m just hungry for this fight. At the end of the day I have the passion for boxing, and I love the competition. That’s what motivates me and that’s what has motivated me to get back in there and get back on top. It all starts on Saturday night.
“I can’t worry about what [Brandon] is doing. At the end of the day I know he trained his heart out for this fight and this is an opportunity of a lifetime for him. This is a big fight for me. I have to go in there and show that I’m one of the best fighters in the world. I just have to go in there and be Danny Garcia.
“It’s great to be back here in Vegas. This is a big-fight atmosphere and it just motivates me. I feel good and I can’t wait to go in there and fight.
“I’m going to do a little bit of everything, it just depends how I feel. I’m gonna bang, I’m gonna box. I’m going to back him up. I’m going to do everything.
“I try to knock everyone out in the first round. I’ll go and get that check. Twelve rounds or less. I’d like to get it done in under eight or six. But if not I’ll go 12 rounds. I have a great team and I’ve been training hard.
“I don’t blame Keith Thurman for not wanting to fight me again. I wouldn’t want to fight me two times in row. My journey and my superstardom start again on Saturday night. My job then is to show the work and that I’m still one of the superstars of this sport.
“I’m 29 years old and in the prime of my career. It starts now. I’m ready to get back on track.
“I represent Philly wherever I go. I represent all Latinos all around the world. When you’re a world champion boxer you represent everyone around the world.
“He likes to bang…let’s do it. I feel like I’m the stronger man and there’s no need to back up. If that’s what it takes to get the job done.”
BRANDON RIOS
“I’m ready. I’ve been training really hard and I’m focused and dedicated to the boxing game. In the past I was immature and just being a kid and being a dork and just going with heart and balls – that’s what I was doing it with. But now I want to get back to the top and I know what it takes to get there.
“I don’t care what the critics say because at the end of the day that’s what they are, just critics. It’s all good. I can tell you right now I’m in shape. I’m on weight already.
“Everyone knows the way I fight. Going all out is my style. I’ll walk through brick walls to get the victory. Everyone will see on Saturday night the new and improved Bam Bam.
“Think about why I looked like [crap] after my last fight. I’ve been through wars after wars and wars in my previous fights, and that takes a toll on your body. It happens. And I realized it and I took a step back and I wasn’t doing it right with dieting and training. I was doing it with heart and balls.
“Now I feel rejuvenated and fresh. So you will see the new and improved Brandon. I feel young and not war-shot, or whatever you guys want to call it. I want to go out there and prove everyone wrong. I’m going to prove every one of you wrong. There’s going to be a smile on my face when I win this fight and I will put up my middle finger to all of you.
“Danny’s a strong fighter and he has power in both hands. He’s a great counter-puncher. One thing I like is he doesn’t move or run, he likes to bang it out, and that suits my style better. But if he does run, we’ll be ready for that too. I sparred with young guys, so I’m ready.
“Thanks to all of you guys for calling me out, and calling me a cherry, or whatever. I love it. It’s all good. That’s the chip on my shoulder I got. I’m not a cherry, I might be a wild berry, but I’m not a cherry.”
DAVID BENAVIDEZ
“The preparation we had for this camp was amazing. Three months in training camp, we made a lot of changes for this fight and we’re ready to go in there and take care of business.
“Winning the title changed my confidence but it changed my work too. Now I know everybody is gunning for my title and I don’t want to let it go. All the work and sacrifice it took for me to get this – I’m not going to let it go.
“I feel very strong. The weight is good. I feel amazing and you guys are going to see it comeSaturday.
“I don’t think Gavril can do any better than he did in the last fight. He’s a one trick pony and he doesn’t have many tricks left, he’s getting old. We’ve been working on a lot of different styles for this fight and I feel more than ready.
“I’m very motivated. I stayed very dedicated to this training camp. I’m ready to go in there and play no games. I’m going to do what I say and I’m going to knock Gavril out.
“I feel I could have done better in the first fight. Having everybody tell me Gavril should have won and him talking a lot of smack, it’s the motivation and drive that I needed to train the way I did in this camp.
“The sickness during the first fight took a lot out of me but my mentality is that I’m a warrior and I’m always going to push through it no matter what. This time, we didn’t have any injuries or sickness so I can’t wait to put on a show on Saturday.
“This is the first time I’ve really had a chip on my shoulder. All the hard work it took for me to get this belt, and people say it was just given to me? No way, I’m going to go in there and show why I’m the youngest champion in the super middleweight division.
“I want to become the best in the division. I want to earn every victory and fight the best. I would love to fight the World Boxing Super Series winner. I’ll be ready for anybody. I worked so hard to get this, nobody can take it from me.
“I’m thinking it will be a knockout around Round 5. It’s going to be a combination of the body and chin. It’s not really looking for the knockout, it’s just setting it up. I’m not going in just throwing haymakers, but I’ll set it up and if it comes, it will come in spectacular fashion.”
RONALD GAVRIL
“I trained a little bit different this time. I had way more time than the first fight to prepare. Last time was four weeks, this time I had a full 10 weeks. I have done a lot of rounds of sparring and a lot of work related to this fight.
“I learn after every fight. From the first fight against Benavidez, I learned even more because it was a tough, tight fight.
“His people tried to make him a superstar before he fought me. I don’t know what people said after the first fight, but they should wait until after the rematch. I’m the stronger fighter.
“The difference in this fight is going to be who boxes smarter. I feel I’m the smarter fighter because if I need to box, I box; if I need to put pressure, I put pressure. I can adapt.
“I think this is going to be the fight of the year. It’s going to be special. The fans should all come see this fight because it’s going to be amazing with two warriors.
“I’m not looking for a knockout. I’m looking to win every round. But I also don’t want to leave it in the judges’ hands like last time, so we’ll see what happens Saturday.
“I’m ready to win. It would be a dream come true. This is why I came here to America from Romania.”
YORDENIS UGAS
“We are both good fighters. But I am ready to put on the fight of the night for the fans and I will be victorious.
“I’m more than ready to get back in the ring. I know what’s at stake. This is a title eliminator and it is the biggest fight of my career. I’m ready to get even better and show the world that I’m ready to be at that top tier of boxing.
“Because of the intensity of this fight, I think it has the potential to be the fight of the night. This is going to shine over all the other fights.”
RAY ROBINSON
“Training camp was perfect. My team did everything to prepare me for this fight. I dotted every ‘I’ and crossed every ‘T’ for this fight. This was one of the best camps I’ve had and I’m excited to get in the ring on Saturday.
“Carrying Sugar Ray’s name is obviously a pleasure. Growing up, I had a lot of pressure on myself with my name being Ray Robinson. Sometimes I think I even lost fights because I put too much pressure on myself having that name. So now, I make sure I don’t put too much pressure on myself.
“This is the type of fight that I roll out of bed for. You get tired of fighting regular guys. I’m an old school fighter – I love fighting guys that look good on paper and nobody knows who’s going to win and it’s up to his camp and my camp. I haven’t been this excited for a fight in a long time.
“I expect hell. That’s how I’ve been preparing. If it’s anything less than that, he’ll be sorry. That’s how I’ve been training – like we’re fighting for a world title. I’m going to bring all the hardship I’ve had in my life into this fight on Saturday night.
“I’m an old school fighter. I’ll fight people in their grandma’s back yard if I have to. It doesn’t matter who I’m fighting. I’ll just do it Kimbo Slice-style. Once we conquer Saturday, we are supposed to fight Errol Spence and even if that doesn’t happen, we’re looking for a world title. Errol Spence, (Keith) Thurman, I’m ready to rock.
“Every time we put the gloves on, we want to do something special. Especially with this fight being on SHOWTIME, we just made sure we prepared the right way. But it doesn’t matter if it’s on TV or not, we still have to put on a good fight.
“Each fight that I have is a stepping stone in my career. This is no different just because it’s in Vegas. I’m not going to put too much pressure on myself and blow this up and make it bigger than what it needs to me. Vegas, the crowds, the lights – that’s all cool and dandy but at the end of the day I still have to do my job.”
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For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports  and www.premierboxingchampions.com,follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @MayweatherPromo, @TGBPromotions, and @MandalayBay or become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/ShoBoxing, www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampionsand www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions. Premier Boxing Champions is presented by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.
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Action-Packed Deontay Wilder vs. Luis Ortiz Undercard Features Top Contenders, Former Heavyweight Champion, Prospect Showdowns & Rising Future Stars Saturday, March 3 from Barclays Center in Brooklyn

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Middleweight Contender Sergey Derevyanchenko Makes Barclays Center Debut;  2016 U.S. Olympian Gary Antuanne Russell in a Super Lightweight Attraction;  Patrick Day vs. Kyrone Davis – 10 Rounds Super Welterweights
 
Plus! Former Heavyweight World Champion Charles Martin, Middleweight Willie Monroe & Rising Local Prospect Richardson Hitchins All Enter the Ring!
 
BROOKLYN (February 14, 2018) – The heavyweight world title showdown between Deontay Wilder and Luis Ortiz will feature a stacked undercard of exciting attractions that includes top contenders, a former heavyweight champion, exciting prospects and more all entering the ring on Saturday, March 3 from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™.
Action inside the arena includes top middleweight contender Sergey Derevyanchenko facing Dashon Johnson in an eight-round fight, 2016 U.S. Olympian Gary Antuanne Russell in a six-round super lightweight showdown, and a 10-round matchup between super welterweight prospects Patrick Day and Kyrone Davis.
A 2008 Ukrainian Olympian now fighting out of Brooklyn, Derevyanchenko (11-0, 9 KOs) earned his top contender status in the IBF by stopping Tureano Johnson in the 12th round of their August 2017 showdown and will face California’s Johnson (22-22-3, 7 KOs) as he awaits his title shot.
One of featherweight champion Gary Russell Jr.’s younger brothers, the 21-year-old Russell (3-0, 3 KOs) represented the U.S. at the 2016 Olympic games in Rio and made it to the quarterfinal round. He turned pro in May of last year and has scored three first round stoppages as a pro.
The 25-year-old Day (14-2-1, 6 KOs) fights out of Freeport, New York and most recently won an exciting contest over then unbeaten Eric Walker last July to seize the WBC Continental Americas Super Welterweight Title. He takes on another prospect looking to leap to contender status in the 23-year-old Davis (13-1, 5 KOs) from Delaware who enters this bout on a three-fight winning streak.
The card continues with former heavyweight world champion Charles Martin (25-1-1, 23 KOs) in an eight-round fight, former world title challenger Willie Monroe Jr. (21-3, 6 KOs) in an eight-round middleweight affair and a pair of local welterweight prospects fighting at Barclays Center for the fourth time as Richardson Hitchins (3-0, 1 KO) and Kenny Robles (2-1, 1 KO) compete in separate six-round attractions. Rounding out the action is unbeaten prospectShynggyskhan Tazhibay (5-0, 2 KOs) in a six-round welterweight bout.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and TGB Promotions, start at $50 and are on sale now. To purchase tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com, BarclaysCenter.com, or call 800-745-3000. Tickets for the event can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center.
The Premier Boxing Champions event is headlined by the highly anticipated Wilder vs. Ortiz matchup and will see undefeated former 154-pound champion Jermall Charlo take on Hugo Centeno, Jr. for the interim WBC middleweight title in the co-feature. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins live on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT with
top super middleweight contender Andre Dirrell battling hard-hitting Jose Uzcategui in a rematch for the IBF Interim 168-pound world title.
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For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com,
follow us on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @LouDiBella, @TGBPromotions, @BarclaysCenter, @Brooklyn_Boxing and @Swanson_Comm  or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter,
and www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment. PBC is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.
boxing, Premier Boxing Champions, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

Premier Boxing Champions Presents a Bounty of Boxing With a Blockbuster Doubleheader Broadcast on Separate Networks From Two Sites Featuring Sensational Fights in The 147 & 168 Pound Divisions on Saturday, February 17

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Action Kicks Off With Victor Ortiz vs Devon Alexander In Primetime On FOX & FOX Deportes from Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT
 
The Nightcap Features a Thrilling Clash Between Former Champions Danny Garcia and Brandon Rios Plus Exciting Champion David Benavidez Battling Ronald Gavril In A Rematch in Las Vegas on SHOWTIME 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT
 
LAS VEGAS (Feb. 14, 2018) – Fans can enjoy a six-fight boxing feast this Saturday as Premier Boxing Champions presents two shows on separate networks from two locations, showcasing matches in the welterweight and super middleweight divisions – two of the hottest divisions in the sport – on February 17.
The evening will kick off with former welterweight world championsVictor Ortiz (32-6-2, 25 KOs) and Devon Alexander (27-4, 14 KOs) in a true crossroads battle live in primetime in the main event on FOX and FOX Deportes from Don Haskins Center on the UTEP campus in El Paso, Texas starting at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
Also in televised action on the show, Caleb “Sweethands” Plant (16-0, 10 KOs) will clash with Rogelio “Porky” Medina (38-8, 32 KOs) in a 12-round IBF super middleweight title elimination bout and sensational 2016 U.S. Olympian Karlos Balderas (3-0, 3 KOs), a first generation Mexican-American, will take on Jorge Rojas (4-2-1, 2 KOs) in a lightweight match.
Following that will be a spectacular tripleheader live on SHOWTIME that will be headlined by former two-division champion Danny Garcia (33-1, 19 KOs) battling former world champion Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios (34-3-1, 25 KOs). In televised undercard attractions, 168-pound champion David Benavidez (19-0, 17 KOs) will defend his title against Ronald Gavril (18-2, 14 KOs) in a rematch and Yordenis Ugas (20-3, 9 KOs) takes on Ray Robinson (24-2, 12 KOs) in an IBF 147-pound title elimination bout.
“Boxing fans are in for a real treat on February 17 as six exciting bouts will unfold in two shows on two separate networks. There are no NFL games, no NBA games and no MLB games. So get ready to binge watch boxing all night,” said Tim Smith, Vice President of Communications for Haymon Boxing. “These shows include something for every boxing fans – crossroads battles, championship clashes, contenders climbing the ladder to titles and a sensational prospect embarking on a brilliant career. It should be a fun night for the fans.”
Both shows hold significance in the 147-pound and 168-pound divisions. Garcia, Alexander and Ortiz are all seeking to return to the welterweight championship ranks and Rios wants to stay in contention for his first welterweight crown. The 21-year-old Benavidez, the youngest current world champion, looks to be spectacular in the rematch with Gavril and continue on his ultimate goal of unifying the titles at 168 pounds, while Plant, Medina and Gavril are seeking to get to where he is now.
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UNDEFEATED 140-POUND CONTENDER & SAN ANTONIO NATIVE MARIO BARRIOS TO FACE EUDY BERNARDO ON SHOWTIME BOXING ON SHO EXTREME® SATURDAY, MARCH 10 FROM FREEMAN COLISEUM

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Undefeated Lightweight Alejandro Luna To Face Former World Title Challenger Richard Commey In IBF Welterweight Title Eliminator In
Opening Bout On SHOWTIME EXTREME Live At 8 p.m. ET/PT
Plus! Unbeaten Prospect Brandon Figueroa Takes On Jonathan Aguilar
 in Super Bantamweight Attraction
SAN ANTONIO (Feb. 12, 2018) – Undefeated 140-pound contender and San Antonio-native Mario Barrios will face Eudy Bernardo in a 10-round bout on SHOWTIME BOXING on SHO EXTREME Saturday, March 10 from Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio.
The SHO EXTREME telecast begins live at 8 p.m. ET/PT and features undefeated Alejandro Luna facing former world title challenger Richard Commey in a 12-round IBF Lightweight Title Eliminator.  The IBF champion is Robert Easter, who Commey fought to close-split decision for the vacant IBF belt in 2016.
Also in undercard action at Freeman Coliseum, unbeaten prospect Brandon Figueroa takes on Mexico’s Jonathan Aguilar in an eight-round super bantamweight bout that, time permitting, will round out the SHO EXTREME telecast.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Ringstar Sports and TGB Promotions in association with Leija-Battah Promotions, are priced at $250, $150, $75, $50 and $20 and are on sale now. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000 or 210 556-7390.
The Premier Boxing Champions event is headlined by a showdown between three-division world champion Mikey Garcia and unbeaten IBF 140-pound champion Sergey Lipinets and also features two-division world champion Rances Barthelemy taking on Kiryl Relikh in a rematch of their thrilling fight last May, this time for the vacant WBA 140-pound world title.
Barrios (20-0 12 KOs), who is trained by Virgil Hunter, returns for his first professional bout in San Antonio since he scored a 2015 knockout over Manuel Vides at AT&T Center in 2015. The 22-year-old has won three straight fights by stoppage since moving up to the 140-pound division last year.
“I haven’t been back home in a while, and I’m looking forward to putting on a tremendous performance in front of my family and hometown fans,” Barrios said. “If the knockout comes, early or late, I’ll take it. If not, we’re going in there to do what we do best, and that’s win. I’m trying to show that I’m on the level where I can get one of those titles either later this year or early next year.”
Fighting out of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Bernardo (23-2, 17 KOs) enters this fight having scored knockout victories in his last two contests. The 31-year-old, who appeared onShoBox: The New Generation in April 2016, has fought professionally since 2009 and was unbeaten in his first 21 pro fights.
“I hope that Barrios isn’t underestimating me, because I am full of confidence and positive that I’m going to win,” said Bernardo. “I have a great plan that I’m going to use to catch him by surprise. I don’t care if it’s by knockout or decision, I will win.”
Luna (22-0, 15 KOs) and Commey (25-2, 22 KOs) enter this fight ranked 11th and 3rd respectively by the IBF. The 26-year-old Luna, fighting out of Bellflower, Ca., most recently dominated Andrey Klimov on his way to a unanimous decision last April and faces his toughest competition to date on March 10. Commey rebounded from the narrow defeat to Easter and a subsequent close loss to Denis Shafikov with a unanimous decision victory last March in his native Ghana.
“Commey’s a tough competitor whose losses were very close, disputable fights that could have gone either way, so I’ll go in being smart, using my jab and sticking to our game plan,” said Luna. “We’re both boxer-punchers who like to mix it up, throw bombs and brawl if we have to. There’s going to be a lot of action and we might steal the show. We’ll give the fans their money’s worth, either way.”
“I think this is a good fight where neither of us are the favorite,” said Commey. “After losing two close decisions there is natural pressure to go for the knockout. But I believe that the judges will be fair and reward me if it goes the distance so I can earn another shot at the title. This is my first fight with Andre Rozier and I’m inspired working in his gym with guys like Daniel Jacobs and Sadam Ali. I’m 100 percent focused on clearly beating Luna and earning my rematch with Robert Easter Jr.”
Figueroa (14-0, 9 KOs), the younger brother of former lightweight champion Omar Figueroa, will make his 2018 debut against the 24-year-old Aguilar (20-7, 17 KOs), after picking up four wins in 2017.
“I’m happy to be on such a big card. San Antonio is like my second home,” said Figueroa, who is 5-0 with four knockouts in San Antonio. “I’m getting a lot of exposure fighting on this world class event that is headlined by Mikey Garcia. It’s the kind of step-up I need. Little by little I’m becoming well-known, not only in the United States, but by people from around the world.”
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For more information visit www.sho.com/sports , www.premierboxingchampions.com,
follow us on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @Ringstar @TGBPromotions, and @Swanson_Comm  or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing and www.Facebook.com/RingstarSports. PBC is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.
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UNDEFEATED REGIS PROGRAIS TO FACE FORMER UNIFIED WORLD CHAMPION JULIUS INDONGO FOR INTERIM WBC SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FRIDAY, MARCH 9 LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

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Indongo Replaces Viktor Postol, Who Withdrew With A Hand Injury

 

SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION Live At 10 p.m. ET/PT

From Deadwood Mountain Grand in Deadwood, South Dakota

 

 

 

NEW YORK (Feb. 12, 2018) – Undefeated 140-pound contender Regis Prograis will now face former unified world champion Julius Indongo for the vacant Interim WBC Super Lightweight World Championship on Friday, March 9, in the 12-round main event of SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/PT from Deadwood Mountain Grand in Deadwood, South Dakota.

 

Indongo replaces the previously announced Viktor Postol, who was forced to withdraw from the bout with a hand injury.  

 

Born in Namibia and now fighting out of Omaha, NE, Indongo (22-1, 11 KOs) is a former unified champion who held the IBF and WBA 140-pound titles. 

 

In 2016, Indongo traveled to Moscow, Russia, to dethrone IBF Junior Welterweight Champion Eduard Troyanovsky with a stunning first-round knockout.  In his first defense as champion, Indongo traveled to Glasgow, Scotland, for a unification bout with WBA Champion Ricky Burns.  The 35-year-old won a 12-round unanimous decision to become unified champion.  

 

In his first bout as a unified titleholder, Indongo made his U.S. debut against fellow undefeated and unified champion Terence Crawford in a showdown to determine the undisputed champion of the 140-pound division.  It was the first championship bout with all four major world titles at stake since Jermain Taylor dethroned Bernard Hopkins in 2005.  Indongo lost to Crawford, suffering the only defeat of his professional career. 

 

“I’m very excited to fight Regis Prograis on March 9,” said Indongo. “This is a great opportunity for me toward becoming a world champion again. I know how good Prograis is, but come March 9, I’ll be victorious.”

 

“While it’s unfortunate that Viktor Postol suffered this training injury, we’re thrilled that Julius Indongo jumped right at the opportunity to face Regis Prograis for the interim WBC title,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “Regis wanted to prove himself against the best, and he will still be afforded that opportunity when he meets former champion Indongo in what promises to be a sensational clash of styles.”

Prograis (20-0, 17 KOs), of Houston by way of New Orleans, has scored knockouts in 13 of his last 14 fights and is a rising star in the wide-open 140-pound division. Indongo represents the toughest challenge of his career with his lone loss to one of the top fighters in boxing, Terence Crawford.

 

In the 12-round co-feature, undefeated 140-pound contenders Ivan Baranchyk (17-0, 10 KOs) and Anthony Yigit (21-0-1, 7 KOs) will square off in a Junior Welterweight World Title Eliminator to become the mandatory challenger for IBF champion Sergey Lipinets. Lipinets will defend his belt the following day, March 10, on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® against undefeated three-division champion Mikey Garcia.

 

The event is presented by DiBella Entertainment, in association with Elite Boxing, Fight Promotions Inc., Holden Productions and Sauerland Promotions. Tickets, priced at $200, $80 and $60, are on sale now and can be purchased on Ticketmaster.com or by calling (877) 907-4726. 

 

The doors open and first bout begins at 5:30 p.m. More information on Deadwood Mountain Grand can be found on their website at www.DeadwoodMountainGrand.com.

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Andre Dirrell & Jose Uzcategui Clash in Rematch for IBF Interim 168-Pound World Title Live on SHOWTIME Saturday, March 3 from Barclays Center in Brooklyn & Presented by Premier Boxing Champions

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Heavyweight Champ Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder
Defends His Title Against Luis “The Real King Kong” Ortiz
in Main Event & Undefeated Former 154-Pound Champion
Jermall Charlo Battles Hugo Centeno, Jr. for the Interim WBC
Middleweight Title in the Co-Feature
 
BROOKLYN (February 12, 2018) – Top super middleweight contender Andre Dirrell clashes with hard-hitting Jose Uzcategui in a rematch for the IBF Interim 168-pound world title live on SHOWTIME Saturday, March 3 from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™, as part of a tripleheader presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
Heavyweight champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder will defend his title against Luis “The Real King Kong” Ortiz in the main event of a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING tripleheader. The telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and also features undefeated former 154-pound champion Jermall Charlo taking on Hugo Centeno, Jr. for the interim WBC middleweight title in the co-feature.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and TGB Promotions, start at $50 and are on sale now. To purchase tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com, BarclaysCenter.com, or call 800-745-3000. Tickets for the event can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center.
The hotly contested first match between Dirrell and Uzcategui, which was also for the IBF interim world title, ended in controversy after Uzcategui was disqualified for landing a punch after the bell sounded to end the eighth round.  Dirrell was dropped and knocked out by the punch. The referee ruled that the punch was intentional and disqualified Uzcategui. In the IBF mandated rematch, Dirrell and Uzcategui will look to put themselves in position to fight for the super middleweight title that Caleb Truax recently earned via a majority decision over James DeGale.
Dirrell (26-2, 16 KOs), a bronze medal winner for the 2004 U.S. Olympic boxing team, continues his quest for a world championship. The 34-year-old southpaw from Flint, Michigan lost a split decision to Carl Froch in his first attempt in 2009 and dropped a narrow unanimous decision to DeGale in his next attempt in 2015.
“I’m extremely excited to be a part of one of the most dynamic tripleheaders this year,” Dirrell said. “This time around I’ll be phenomenal and leave no doubt who the better fighter is. I’m 100 percent focused on dominating Uzcategui on March 3 and getting another shot at the title.”
The 27-year-old Uzcategui (26-2, 22 KOs), who is from Venezuela and now lives in Tijuana, Mexico, worked his way up to the match against Dirrell with a string of four straight stoppage victories, including a stunning upset of Julian Jackson in 2015. Uzcategui dropped Jackson four times on the way to a second round technical knockout victory.
“I’m very excited to go get what’s mine,” said Uzcategui. “I feel I won the last fight. I didn’t feel I did anything wrong. What happened in the last fight is in the past. I’m going to get what belongs to me. The world will see what ‘Bolivita’ can do and they’ll want to see more of me.”
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For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com,
follow us on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @LouDiBella, @TGBPromotions, @BarclaysCenter, @Brooklyn_Boxing and @Swanson_Comm  or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter,
and www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment. PBC is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.