Category Archives: Spike TV

“BELLATOR KICKBOXING: BUDAPEST” SET TO AIR ON SPIKE TV THIS FRIDAY, SEPT. 23

 

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WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION KARIM GHAJJI, RAYMOND DANIELS, DENISE KIELHOLTZ RETURN TO ACTION

 

 

SANTA MONICA, CALIF (September 19, 2016) – Bellator’s world tour continues this Friday, September 23 when Bellator Kickboxing brings top-flight action to SPIKE TV all the way from Budapest, Hungary. The event will be headlined by Bellator Kickboxing’s welterweight champion Karim Ghajji (96-12) defending his belt against Zoltan Laszak (10-2).

 

In addition to this welterweight world title bout, the always-exciting Raymond Daniels(11-3) will return to action against Zsolt Benedek (15-3) of Hungary. Following her controversial defeat at “Bellator: Dynamite 2,” Denise Kielholtz (44-3) will also compete, when she takes on Renata Lantos (5-4).

 

The must-see kickboxing event will also feature the man who upset Melvin Manhoefearlier this year, Alexandru Negrea (9-3), who meets Ali El Ameri (42-10-2) at a catchweight of 189-pounds.

 

“Bellator Kickboxing: Budapest” will air on Spike Friday, September 23 at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT.

 

Fresh off winning his championship at Bellator’s inaugural kickboxing show in Turin, Italy, Ghajji will defend the title he won at the expense of Mustapha Haida when he meets world-renowned Hungarian champion Zoltan Laszak in five, three minute rounds.

 

Raymond Daniels is never involved in a boring fight; look no further than his first two Bellator Kickboxing bouts, which have produced highlight-reel stoppages. This go-round, the showman will face the Hungarian Zsolt Benedek at 170-pounds. While Daniels will enter the ring as the favorite, Benedek will have the advantage of the home-town crowd, who he hopes will help propel him towards upsetting the American Superstar.

 

Arguably the most important fight of Denise Kielholz’s career, the talented Dutch Kickboxer will face another fighter of Hungarian descent when she meets Renata Lantos in a flyweight encounter. After dropping a decision Gloria Peritore, Kielholtz has been hell-bent on earning a rematch against the Italian, but will have to get through Lantos first.

 

Complete “Bellator Kickboxing: Budapest” Card:

 

Welterweight World Title Main Event: Karim Ghajji (96-12) vs. Zoltan Laszak (10-2)

Welterweight Co-Main Event: Raymond Daniels (11-3) vs. Zsolt Benedek (15-3)

Flyweight Feature Bout: Denise Kielholtz (44-3) vs. Renata Lantos (5-4)

189 lb. Catchweight Feature Bout: Alexandru Negrea (9-3) vs. Ali El Ameri (42-10-2)

CHEICK KONGO TAKES HOME MAJORITY DECISION IN MAIN EVENT OF ‘BELLATOR 161’

 

 

AUSTIN, TEXAS — (September 16, 2016) — It took 15 minutes of heavyweight action during the main event of “Bellator 161: Kongo vs. Johnson” to decide a winner between Cheick Kongo (25-10-2) and Tony Johnson (10-3), but in the end, it was “The Darkness” who emerged victorious via majority decision on Friday night.

The action between the two sluggers varied between heavy punches and elite wrestling, but the grappling of Kongo won out, as the 41-year-old got the better part of the action in the final ten minutes and began his newly signed extension with Bellator MMA on a high note.

The heavyweight title picture remains unclear, but if one thing’s certain, it’s that Kongo will have a claim to the strap when the promotion decides to put the title back on the line.

 

Guillotine Choke Fuels Joe Warren to Victory in Co-Main Event

 

Joe Warren (14-5) and Sirwan Kakai (12-5) traded blows for over ten minutes of heart pounding action in the evening’s co-main event, but it was Warren who finished on top after delivering a neck crank submission just 1:04 into the third round. After the win, the self-proclaimed “Baddest Man on the Planet” is now tied for second all-time in Bellator MMA victories with 12. The former two-division champion Warren has now won seven of his last nine contests and has once again proven why he belongs among the division’s elite. The loss marks the first time over Kakai’s eight-year career that he has been finished by an opponent.

Anastasia Yankova Outlasts Veta Arteaga in Flyweight Marathon

 

In a highly-anticipated women’s flyweight battle,  undefeated Russian Anastasia Yankova (4-0) came out on top against Veta Arteaga (2-1) via split decision. With the win the 25-year-old Yankova continued along her brisk path to stardom with a comeback performance that two out of three cage side judges saw in her favor. Yankova impressed in her first ever fight in the US, recording her fourth career victory and second with the Scott Coker-led promotion. The win is the first to go the distance for Yankova, with each of her initial three coming by way of submission. For Arteaga, the difficult judges’ decision leaves her with the first loss of her professional career.

Compelling Lightweight Opener Ends in Unanimous Decision win for Lubbuck’s Campos

During the opening contest at “Bellator 161: Kongo vs. Johnson,” Texas’ own Derek Campos (17-6) scored a come-from-behind unanimous decision (29-28 x3) win over Dutch knockout artist Djamil Chan (12-3). After absorbing a devastating blow that sent him to the canvas early in the opening round of action, “The Stallion” quickly recovered and responded in a big way in rounds two and three. The 28-year-old Campos scored his second straight win and sixth since joining the Bellator MMA fray. For Chan, the loss ends an impressive run of seven consecutive victories over a dominant four-year stretch.

Preliminary Card Results:

Armando Villareal (1-0) defeated Tommy Burghardt (0-1) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:08 of round one

Sean Clements (1-0) defeated David Ramirez (0-1) via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27 2x)

Matt Mazurek (4-4) defeated Jose Guerra (0-3) via split decision (29-28, 30-27, 28-29)

Daniel Pineda (22-12) defeated Mark Dickman (11-3) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:07 of round three

Emily Ducote (4-1) defeated Kenya Miranda (2-3) via submission (armbar) at 4:37 of round two

Rey Trujillo (21-15) defeated Deuce King (15-18) via submission (reverse arm triangle) at 1:20 of round one

Garrett Scott (2-0) defeated Waylon Bronstrup (0-1) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 0:50 of round one

Nick Gonzalez (19-13) defeated Warren Stewart (11-23) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

BELLATOR MMA RETURNS TO WINSTAR WORLD CASINO & RESORT ON DECEMBER 2

 

 

A.J. MCKEE-EMMANUEL SANCHEZ WILL COMPETE DURING MAIN CARD IN FEATHERWEIGHT ACTION

 

SANTA MONICA, CALIF. (September 16, 2016) – Bellator MMA will return to WinStar World Casino & Resort in Thackerville, OK., on December 2with a night of must-see mixed martial arts action, and the first confirmed bout on the Spike-televised portion of the card will feature undefeated prospect A.J. McKee (5-0) taking on Emmanuel “El Matador” Sanchez (13-3).

Tickets for “Bellator MMA in Thackerville” start at just $45 and go on sale this coming Monday, September 19 at 10 a.m. CT. You can purchase tickets at the WinStar World Casino & Resort Box Office, as well as Ticketmaster and Bellator.com.

The event airs live and free on SPIKE at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, while preliminary bouts will stream live on Bellator.com and The Bellator Mobile App.Additional bouts will be announced in the coming weeks.

Fighting out of Long Beach, Calif., McKee enters this fight following the quickest finish of his budding career, a 32-second guillotine choke submission at“Bellator 160: Henderson vs. Pitbull.” A 5-fight veteran of Bellator MMA, McKee has a knack for finishing fights early and often, spending a grand total of10:25 inside the cage over the course of his five scraps. Trained by his father, Antonio McKee, the Team Bodyshop product will try to protect his unblemished mark and fufill his goal of becoming the youngest champion in MMA history when he enters the cage on December 9.

“El Matador” will be making his eighth appearance under the Bellator MMA banner, a promotion with which the 26-year-old has had much success to date. A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he trains at Roufusport, Sanchez is riding a recent string of success, having won nine of his last 11 contests, including three of the past four. Six of Sanchez’s 13 career victories have come by way of knockout or submission, with five of the finishes ending in the opening frame. Since signing with Bellator MMA, “El Matador” has competed against a who’s who of talent, facing names the likes of Pat Curran, Justin Lawrence, Henry Corrales, and Daniel Weichel.

Updated “Bellator MMA in Thackerville” Main Card:

Featherweight Feature Bout: A.J. McKee (5-0) vs. Emmanuel Sanchez (13-3)

‘THE AMERICAN GANGSTER’ CHAEL SONNEN ENDS RETIREMENT, SIGNS WITH BELLATOR MMA

 

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (September 15, 2016) – Bellator MMA is elated to announce the signing of Chael Sonnen (28-14-1), to an exclusive multi-year, multi-fight contract.

 

By signing with the Scott Coker-led promotion, Sonnen effectively ends his retirement from professional mixed martial arts and he will now enter the 205-pound division championed by Liam McGeary, amongst others.

 

“I’m consistently blown away by the product and presentation that Bellator is bringing to the fans,” said Sonnen. “I’m not nearly done competing and I’m coming after everyone, everywhere. I’m not sticking to one weight class either, I fight at ‘Gangster Weight’ and nobody is safe.”

 

Sonnen has spent a vast majority of his 43-fight career with the UFC, a run where he competed against names the likes of Jon Jones, Anderson Silva (2x), Rashad Evans, “Shogun” Rua, Demian Maia, Brian Stann, and current middleweight champion Michael Bisping. In addition to his exploits inside the cage, the West Linn, Ore., native has mastered the art of being in front of the camera, doing major broadcasting work for both ESPN and Fox Sports.

 

“Chael is an incredible athlete that has competed at the very highest levels of the sport,” Bellator MMA President Scott Coker said, “I know that he is going to continue to do just that here at Bellator. When we were in the process of signing him, Chael was adamant that he wants to compete in three divisions here. He already has unfinished business with Wanderlei Silva, but he also wants to fight guys like Tito Ortiz, Fedor Emelianenko and even Rory MacDonald at middleweight. These are all fights that I’d be very inclined to watch, so hopefully we can put some, if not all of these matchups together starting before the end of the year.”

JAMES ‘THE STRABANIMAL’ GALLAGHER-KIRILL MEDVEDOVSKY BOUT ADDED TO BELLATOR MMA EVENT IN ISRAEL ON NOVEMBER 10

 

SANTA MONICA, CALIF (Sept. 12, 2016) – A featherweight contest between budding Irish star James Gallagher (4-0) and Kirill Medvedovsky (6-1) has been added to the main card of the promotion’s first ever card at Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv on November 10.

The fights join a main event that features a Welterweight World Title bout between current title holder Andrey Koreshkov (19-1) and the man who he took it from over a year ago, Douglas Lima (27-6). In addition, one of the newest members of the Bellator MMA family, Noad Lahat (9-2), will challenge fellow featherweight Scott Cleve (15-5) in the evening’s co-main event. Additional fights will be announced in coming weeks.

The event will air in America on SPIKE Friday, November 11 at 9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CT. Bellator has partnered with Ananey Communications, an Israeli television conglomerate boasting 14 channels, several of which showcase Viacom content including the EGO and EGO TOTAL channels which have broadcast Bellator in Israel since 2012.

Tickets for the event are on sale now and can be purchased at Bellator.com or Eventim.co.il/mma.

A native of Northern Ireland, the undefeated Gallagher will make his second appearance since joining the Scott Coker-led promotion earlier this year. In a unanimous decision victory, Gallagher discarded of opponent Mike Cutting at “Bellator 158: Daley vs. Lima,” paving the way for a potentially bright future for the 19-year-old featherweight prospect. The win was the fourth of his professional career and first to go past the opening frame, being that the previous three victories all came by way of first round submission. Fighting out of the highly-acclaimed gym SBG Ireland, Gallagher has begun his career training alongside well-known teammate Conor McGregor, as he continues to grow and learn from one of the game’s best.

Born on November 14, the recently signed 23-year-old Medvedovsky hopes to unwrap an early birthday present inside Menora Mivtachim Arena. The Netanya, Israel native enters his bout with a record of 6-1, with one knockout and a pair of submission finishes. Coming off of back-to-back first round victories, Medvedovsky hopes to make quick work of his younger opponent Gallagher and give his hometown fans exactly what they came to see.

“Bellator MMA in Tel Aviv” Main Card:

Welterweight World Title Main Event: Andrey Koreshkov (19-1) vs. Douglas Lima (27-6)

Featherweight Feature Co-Main Event: Noad Lahat (9-2) vs. Scott Cleve (15-5)

Bantamweight Feature Bout: James Gallagher (4-0) vs. Kirill Medvedovsky (6-1)

Preliminary Card:

Welterweight Feature Bout: Joaquin Buckley (6-0) vs. Jackie Gosh (6-0)

Daniel Jacobs Retains Middleweight World Title by Dominant Seventh Round TKO Victory Over Former World Champion Sergio Mora In Main Event of Premier Boxing Champions On Spike Friday Night from Santander Arena in Reading, Pa.

 
Robert Easter Wins Vacant Lightweight World Title with Thrilling Split Decision Victory Over Previously Unbeaten Richard Commey
 
Click HERE for Photos from Andy Samuelson/
Premier Boxing Champions – (Photos to be added shortly)
 
Click HERE for Highlights from Jacobs vs. Mora and
HERE for Highlights from Easter vs. Commey
 
READING, PA. (September 10, 2016) – Middleweight world champion Daniel “The Miracle Man” Jacobs (32-1, 29 KOs) retained his title and knocked down former world champion Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora (28-5-2, 9 KOs) five times on his way to a seventh-round TKO in the main event of Premier Boxing Champions on Spike Friday night from Santander Arena in Reading, Pa.
The bout was a rematch of their championship fight last August that saw Jacobs win by TKO despite being dropped in the first round. Mora suffered an ankle injury on the punch that ended the last fight but he was not able to capitalize on his second chance.
Jacobs was in control early and often, attacking the body of Mora and switching between orthodox and southpaw styles to stay in control throughout. Mora was evasive and used good head movement to frustrate Jacobs early but could never get his own offense going.
The champion from Brooklyn stayed the course and in round four he broke through with a left hook to the head that sent Mora crumpling to the mat. Mora recovered but again had a knockdown scored against him in round five.
Sensing his moment, Jacobs came out aggressive in the seventh round as he clearly sought an end to the fight. A left right combo dropped Mora in the corner early in the round before he was dropped from a body shot moments after getting back on his feet.
Referee Gary Rosato let the fight continue but Jacobs put a quick end to the night by smothering Mora and dropping him for the fifth and final time, forcing the referee to stop the bout at 2:08 into the round.
In front of a raucous and supportive crowd, undefeated rising star Robert Easter (18-0, 14 KOs) earned a narrow split-decision victory over previously unbeaten Richard Commey (24-1, 22 KOs) in a thrilling contest that saw both men grab momentum at different points throughout the 12-round bout.
Easter used his jab and length advantage in round one and appeared to have more success throughout the night when he fought from a distance. The fight vacillated between a tactical battle and a toe-to-toe war by the round and even by the minute.
The Ghanaian Commey was aggressive throughout the fight and had success pushing Easter to the ropes and catching him with big right hands. In round eight, Commey scored a knockdown on one of those right hands, as referee Benjy Esteves ruled that Easter’s glove hit the canvas as a result of the punch.
Easter and Commey both came out firing in round nine, engaging in one of the many exchanges that put the lively crowd on its feet. Easter had great success throughout the night with his right uppercut that consistently caught Commey coming in, but never deterred him completely.
Both men reached the 12-round limit for the first time in their careers but it was Easter who took advantage of the final stanza by rocking and wobbling Commey with a big overhand right just seconds into the round.
Commey was able to survive on the ropes and by consistently wrapping up his opponent. Both men were lifted to the air in triumph by their trainers after the final bell rang as the crowd cheered the two combatants. In the end the judges scored the fight 114-113 for Commey and 115-112 and 114-113 for Easter.
Here is what the fighters had to say Friday night:
DANIEL JACOBS
“I have to take my hat off to Sergio Mora. There was a lot of talking before this fight, but this is boxing. I respect any man who gets inside of this ring.
“I want to prove to the world that I’m the best middleweight. If GGG gets the victorytomorrow, that’s who we want.
“I wanted to go in there to hurt him and keep my knockout streak alive. I did what I said I would.
“I didn’t expect to knock him down as much, but I did see the fight ending in a knockout. It took a while because he’s so tricky. I wasn’t able to jab the way I wanted to. That’s what happens when you fight guys who have been in the game for a long time.
“The support of my city means a lot. There are guys here that I’ve known since kindergarten. People showed me love across the board and it was tremendous. For them to be on this journey with me, it means everything. I’m living my dream.
“This one’s for Brooklyn. We have to spread the love around but I’ll be back home in December headlining at Barclays Center.”
SERGIO MORA
“The guy punches really hard. I was trying to catch him like I did in the first fight but I couldn’t do it today.
“We expected him to fight the way he did. He’s big and powerful. I knew I would have to catch him with a few shots and take him into the later rounds. I think I was doing that until my legs couldn’t recover.
“I’m not going to take anything away from his victory, but I never recovered from a shot to the back of the head. They counted it as a knockdown so I’ll have to take a look at the video, but it felt like the back of the head.
“This guy is a big overwhelming figure. When he got on top of me I could feel his weight. You really need those legs to wake up when you get buzzed.
“The fight was close in my heart. Daniel finally gave me credit. I didn’t feel like I got beat up, he just caught me with good shots. I have a lot left in me. I’m going to look at the tape and see where I’m at.”
ROBERT EASTER
“It’s been a long training camp. We had an amazing training camp. This fight wasn’t easy at all. We knew it wasn’t going to be easy. Richard Commey is a tough, tough competitor. He made me fight each and every round, but we did it.
“The game plan was to go out there and box him and use my length and reach. I made a few mistakes tonight. One of them was not fighting him early enough. It wouldn’t have been close. In the last round, when I needed the round, I went out and got it.
“I took everything that I had, all 16 years in the sport, and I used it to go get that belt.
“You always have to stay composed as a professional. I wasn’t hurt at all on the knockdown. I know what happened in there. He threw a shorter right hand and I stumbled. I finished the round tough.
“Early in the fight I thought I hurt him with a hook and right hand combo. In the last round I caught him right on the chin. That wobbled him. He held on for dear life.
“I knew it was going to come down to a split decision. I felt in my heart that I did enough. He missed a lot of shots.
“I want more straps. I want belts. This is huge for my city. It means a lot. It’s bigger than me. I wanted to give them something to believe in.
“All this hard work we had to put in for this fight, we had to dig in deep. I did this for my city and Toledo came out for me tonight.”
RICHARD COMMEY
“I feel like I won this fight. I did everything that I could. I landed the more accurate shots. I come from very far and it’s hard to win here versus an American. I deserve a rematch.
“I was very devastated when I heard the scores. I knew it was a close fight. He went down and I didn’t.
“I want to be a world champion. Even if he doesn’t want to fight me, I want another opportunity. I can fight at the highest level in the world. We worked so hard to get to this stage. I want to stay at this level. I’ll keep improving.”
For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com and www.spike.com/shows/premier-boxing-champions. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @DanielJacobsTKO, @TheLatinSnake_, @SpikeTV, @SpikeSports @KingsBoxing_ and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions.  PBC on Spike is sponsored byCorona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

Daniel Jacobs vs. Sergio Mora & Robert Easter vs. Richard Commey Final Press Conference Quotes & Photos

 
Premier Boxing Champions on Spike Friday, September 9 Live
From Santander Arena in Reading, Pa. – 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT
 
Click HERE For Photos From Jeff Julian/King’s Promotions/
Premier Boxing Champions
 
READING, PA. (September 8, 2016) – Middleweight world champion Daniel “The Miracle Man” Jacobs and former champion Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora went face-to-face at the final press conference Wednesday before their world championship rematch that headlines Premier Boxing Champions on Spike Friday, September 9from Santander Arena in Reading, Pa.
Also in attendance at Wednesday’s event were undefeated lightweights Robert Easterand Richard Commey, who fight for a vacant world title Friday night on Spike. Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT and features local contender Travis “My Time” Kauffman in a 10-round heavyweight bout.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions, start at $20 and are on sale now via Ticketmaster.
Here is what the fighters had to say Wednesday:
DANIEL JACOBS
“It’s an honor to be up here as the main event with these young fighters and future champions. I’m excited to be back in the ring. It’s been too long but I’ve been training hard and I feel great.
“I’m going to do what I do best. People talk about my power, but I get my skills from the amateur system and from proving that I have the goods. I have the power in addition to the skill set. I’m planning on proving that Friday night.
“I’ll be ready every round to give it my best and he better come in ready to fight. I’m excited to be here and display my skills in a new place.
“The fans are looking forward to a good fight so I hope Sergio is ready to make this an exciting battle. I’m going to show everybody my full arsenal.”
SERGIO MORA
“Our last fight was on the way to being a ‘Fight of the Year,’ but I busted my ankle in the second round and I couldn’t continue. I’ve been waiting 13 months for this opportunity and I’m completely ready. This has been a fantastic training camp.
“It’s time for business. People don’t know what’s going to happen. He has big power and I have a lot of experience and tricks up my sleeve. The later the fight goes, the better off for me.
“I’m ready for any way this fight can go. I’m excited about this fight and the fans should be excited about this fight. We’re proud fighters and I can’t wait to get in there.”
ROBERT EASTER
“This is a big opportunity and something I’ve wanted for my whole life. Ever since I was nine-years-old. All the hard work I’ve put in since I was a kid, everyone will see. I will put on a great performance
“We already were working hard before we knew we had this title shot. Someone has to pay for the work I’ve been putting in for 16 years in this business. On Friday night it will be another victory and another man down.”
RICHARD COMMEY
“I’m very happy to be here and I’m thankful for this opportunity. When I first started boxing this is what I hoped for.
“This is all that I have had on my mind. This is what has motivated me for many years.
“Come Friday night I’m going to be ready to fight and I’m going to be a world champion.”
For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com and www.spike.com/shows/premier-boxing-champions. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @DanielJacobsTKO, @TheLatinSnake_, @SpikeTV, @SpikeSports @KingsBoxing_ and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions.  PBC on Spike is sponsored byCorona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

Undefeated Prospect Earl Newman Battles Once-Beaten Leo Hall In Undercard Action on Friday, September 9 From Santander Arena in Reading, Pa.

 
Plus! Middleweight Contender Jorge Sebastian Heiland, Former World Champion Kermit Cintron, & Local Contender Frank DeAlba Featured On Stacked Undercard
 
READING, PA. (September 7, 2016) – Unbeaten prospect Earl Newman (9-0, 7 KOs) takes on once-beaten Leo Hall (8-1, 7 KOs) in light heavyweight action that highlights an exciting undercard on Friday, September 9 from Santander Arena in Reading, Pa.
The September 9 event is headlined by middleweight world champion Daniel “The Miracle Man” Jacobs defending his world title in a rematch against former world champion Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora in the main event of Premier Boxing Champions on Spike. Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT and features undefeated lightweights colliding for a vacant world title as Robert Easter takes onRichard Commey. Also on the card, local contender Travis “My Time” Kauffmanwill be featured in a 10-round fight against heavyweight Josh Gormley.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions, start at $20 and are on sale now via Ticketmaster.
Also featured on the stacked undercard of fights is Argentine middleweight Jorge Sebastian Heiland (27-4-2, 14 KOs) in an eight round bout, former world champion Kermit Cintron (37-5-2, 28 KOs) in an eight round welterweight fight against Florida’s Manny Woods (15-5-1, 5 KOs) and local junior lightweight Frank DeAlba (19-2-2, 8 KOs) taking on Arkansas’ Kiun Evans (12-2-1, 6 KOs) in an eight round bout.
The action continues with a pair of prospects from Philadelphia as super middleweight Christopher Brooker (10-1, 5 KOs) takes on tough contender Elvin Ayala (28-7-1, 12 KOs) in an eight-round fight and unbeaten Thomas Velasquez (5-0, 4 KOs) enters the ring in a four-round super featherweight battle.
Rounding out the night are a trio of local Reading prospects as super welterweight Erik Spring (7-1-1, 1 KO) battles unbeaten Simon Henriksson (4-0, 1 KO) in a six-round affair, junior welterweight Kashon Hutchinson (1-0, 1 KO) taking on Jordan Morales(1-1, 1 KO) in a four-round bout and junior lightweight Miguel Martinez (2-2) against Nicholas Hernandez (4-1, 1 KO) in six-rounds of super welterweight action.
A former New York Golden Gloves champion, Newman has shown impressive power in stopping seven of his first nine opponents since turning pro in 2014. The 25-year-old out of Brooklyn is coming in off of a stoppage victory over Dustin Craig Echard in April. He faces his toughest opponent to date in the 21-year-old Hall out of Detroit. Hall knocked out seven of his first eight opponents before losing for the first time in December 2015.
Fighting out of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Heiland will be making his U.S. debut when he steps into the ring on Friday night. The 29-year-old has won six straight fights heading into bout, including a sensational knockout of Matthew Macklin in 2014. Heiland most recently defeated Martin Fidel Rios in April in a 10-round matchup.
Cintron is a former welterweight world champion who owns victories over Alfredo Angulo, Lovemore Ndou and Ronald Cruz. The Puerto Rican fighter who lives in Reading fought Argentine great Sergio Martinez to a draw and has battled top fighters from Canelo Alvarez to Antonio Margarito. He enters this bout on a four-fight win streak including two victories so far this year. He takes on the 29-year-old Woods out of St. Petersburg, who has also picked up two wins in 2016.
The 29-year-old De Alba had a 19 fight unbeaten streak snapped in December 2015, when he dropped a narrow majority decision to unbeaten Omar Douglas, but he has rebounded with back-to-back stoppage victories in 2016. Originally from Bayamon, Puerto Rico but now fighting out of Reading he’ll battle Little Rock’s Evans, who started off his pro career in 2012 with eight straight wins.
For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com and www.spike.com/shows/premier-boxing-champions. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @DanielJacobsTKO, @TheLatinSnake_, @SpikeTV, @SpikeSports @KingsBoxing_ and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions.  PBC on Spike is sponsored byCorona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

BELLATOR TO HOST THE FIRST MAJOR MMA EVENT IN TEL AVIV, ISRAEL ON NOVEMBER 10

 

WELTERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION ANDREY KORESHKOV TO FACE DOUGLAS LIMA IN MAIN EVENT

 

ALSO: ISRAELI ARMY VETERAN NOAD LAHAT SET FOR BELLATOR MMA DEBUT AGAINST SCOTT CLEVE

 

 

SANTA MONICA, CALIF (Sept. 7, 2016) – Bellator MMA Welterweight Champion Andrey Koreshkov (19-1) will make the second defense of his belt against the man he took it from more than a year ago, Douglas Lima (27-6), in the main event of the promotion’s historic debut at Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv on November 10.

 

In addition, the card will feature one of Israel’s own in the co-headliner, when newly signed Bellator MMA featherweight Noad Lahat (9-2) meets Scott Cleve (15-5). Additional main card and preliminary fights will be announced in coming weeks.

 

The Viacom-owned fight promotion’s historic event will air in America on SPIKE Friday, November 11 at 9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CT. Bellator has partnered with Ananey Communications, an Israeli television conglomerate boasting 14 channels, several of which showcase Viacom content including the EGO and EGO TOTAL channels which have broadcast Bellator in Israel since 2012.

 

Tickets for the event are on sale now and can be purchased at Bellator.com or Eventim.co.il/mma.

 

Currently sitting atop Bellator MMA’s welterweight division, the 26-year-old champion Koreshkov most recently dismantled former world champion Benson Henderson for 25 minutes in his first-ever title defense. 19-1 as a professional, “Spartan” hasn’t tasted defeat since 2013 and has finished 13 of his opponents by either knockout or submission. It’s worth noting that Koreshkov trains under the leadership of former middleweight championAlexander Shlemenko.

 

Coming off of a dominant victory over top contender Paul Daley, “The Phenom” Lima has earned the right to challenge for the promotion’s 170-pound title, which he once held. The American Top Team standout has a knack for winning fights in spectacular fashion before reaching the judges’ scorecards, which he has accomplished in 23 of his 27 wins as a professional. Born in Brazil, the 28-year-old has secured victories over top competition since starting his career in 2006, tallying wins against Ben Saunders (2x), Ryan Ford, Steve Carl and Olympic competitor Rick Hawn. Now fully healthy, Lima looks to fight twice in a calendar year for the first time since 2013.

 

A black belt in Jiu-Jitsu, Lahat made his professional debut in 2008, where he began an impressive streak of seven consecutive victories. The 32-year-old “Neo” then decided to take his talents to the UFC, where he tacked on two more wins, rounding out his current professional record of 9-2. Hailing from Alfei Menashe, Samaria Israel, Lahat was also a soldier in the Israeli Defense Forces before transitioning to his now promising MMA career. He will look to compete in a strong Bellator MMA Featherweight class that includes current titleholder Daniel Straus, Pat Curran, Patricio “Pitbull,” Daniel Weichel, and Georgi Karakhanyan.

 

At 34 years of age, Scott Cleve is set for his fifth appearance under the Bellator MMA banner, the Colorado native has a knack for ending fights early, stopping his opponent in 11 of his 15 victories. Notable victories on the “Pariah MMA” standouts resume include wins over UFC veteran Abel Trujillo, along with Bellator competitors Derek Campos and Matt Bessette.

 

“Bellator MMA in Tel Aviv” Main Card:

Welterweight World Title Bout: Andrey Koreshkov (19-1) vs. Douglas Lima (27-6)

Featherweight Feature Bout: Noad Lahat (9-2) vs. Scott Cleve (15-5)

Daniel Jacobs, Sergio Mora, Robert Easter & Richard Commey Media Conference Call Transcript

For Immediate Release
Marc Abrams
Okay.  Welcome to the Daniel Jacobs/Sergio Mora conference call.  The rematch will take place Friday night, September 9th, at the Santander Arena in Reading, Pennsylvania, and live on Spike TV.  It’s a championship double header, a great show that will also feature the IBF lightweight championship of the world between undefeated Robert Easter and undefeated Richard Commey of Accra, Ghana.  The show is promoted by Kings Boxing.  And to make some opening statements, the President of Kings Boxing Mr. Marshall Kauffman.  Marshall?
Marshall Kauffman
Hello, everybody.  It’s a pleasure to be able to host such an exciting fight comeSeptember 9th.  I’m looking forward to fireworks between both these–with both of these bouts.  You have–with Richard Commey and Robert Easter, Jr., and of course, Daniel Jacobs and Sergio Mora, it’s going to be an exciting night.  I’m really looking forward to it.  And the [unintelligible] town of Reading as well is really excited about such a big event coming to our town.
Abrams  
Well,  we’ll start with Robert Easter–would like to make an opening comment.
Robert Easter
Yeah, I’ll all very excited to come to Reading, PA, and fight for the IBF world title.  Hopefully, Richard Commey will bring his A game to the table because I’m definitely bringing my A-plus game to the table.
Abrams
And, Richard, would you like to make an opening statement?
Richard Commey
Oh, yeah, I’m very excited to have this opportunity to fight for the IBF lightweight world title.  I’ve worked so hard to get this opportunity.  And I know Robert Easter, Jr., has also.  So, it’s going to be a great fight.
Q
Robert, basically, he hasn’t faced anyone with your height, reach, power, and speed.  Is that accurate?  Can you give an assessment of your thoughts on that?
Easter  
Yes, no, he hasn’t faced anyone like me and my agility, my power, my length, my reach.  He hasn’t faced a guy like me.  So, that’s where I come in and take over this fight.
Q
On the other hand, who would you say that you have faced that is either comparable or better than him in ways that you think he need–he would need to be able to compete against you?
Easter
It was–Mendez, he was a speedy, speedy guy, fast, and could move a lot.  But, what I’m hearing, Commey brings pressure I guess.  That’s probably the only thing Mendez didn’t have.  He came–he definitely came to fight, though, but he was a speedy guy, a slick guy, to move his hands.
Q
I guess the last question, is there anything that is different or unique about Richard that you haven’t seen in an actual fight?  I know you’ve been in sparring with guys like [Lamont Peterson] and Anthony Peterson, Adrian Broner, guys like that.  But, in an actual fight, is there anything about him that you respect to the level that you’re really going to have to be on your P’s and Q’s about?
Easter
Every opponent you step in the ring with you have to respect.  But, it’s nothing unique I see coming from him.  It’s nothing I haven’t seen or faced.  So, like I said, this should be a walk in the park for me, and I say that with confidence.
Q
Okay.  Richard, I wonder what tradition you know when you talk about Azumah Nelson   Have you talked to any of those guys or heard from any of those guys ?
Commey  
Yes.  And I’m going to use the advice Azumah gave me over the last few weeks here in Ghana.
Q
Richard, how does Robert stack up to  left hander went the distance with both those guys.  Have you seen anything like what you’re going to see out of Robert in terms of reach and–?
Commey
I’ve inspired a lot of people with a lot of heart.  I need this opportunity. His height really won’t matter. I’m coming there to win and that’s what I’m coming to do.
Q
The last question, what do you think you’ve–that he hasn’t fought anyone like?  What do you think is unique about you that he hasn’t seen before?
Commey
Well, I’m a tall guy.  And no matter what he does, I can win. I’m strong.  And I can take punches and I can punch as well.  I can do all that.  If he can’t–he will lose.  I respect the height and his reach and his skills as a boxer.
Q
I’ll start with you, Easter.  Welcome to the fight, and good luck to you.  You mentioned that you’re ready, and Commey has not fought anybody of your caliber.  But, if you look at both records, you guys are both undefeated with a nice double figure of knockouts.  And he’s already a champion is his country and all that.  Now, and you are an ex-Olympian.  Are you telling me, or as I understand, that you’re minimizing what he has, taking in consideration that he is undefeated, just like you, and somebody’s always got to go?  So, what do you–how do you assess that?
Easter
Seeing the few rounds I did watch is the skills, and I wouldn’t say they were that good, but he–like I said, he’s just very strong.  They say he’s strong.  But, you’re only strong to somebody you can hit.
When you got to–boxing out there, like me, I’m using my rank, my length, and  what I’m throwing [can be] hard as well, how you going to be able to get past that?  So, like I said, the skills are not much there.  But, I don’t like to get hit that much.  I won’t get hit that much.  So, I’m going to take all that away, and then whatever he’s bringing and adjust to have him adjust to me.  Once I get him in my game plan, the fight is going to go my way the whole few rounds it’s going to last.
Q
Do you feel that your Olympic experience is an advantage over him because, after all, when you get to the high heights of Olympic experience and international amateur fighting, you’re almost like a pro?  It’s almost like stepping into the living room when you turn pro.  So, that has–you have an edge on that?
Easter
I wouldn’t pretty much focus on the amateur side because the transition from the amateur to pro is way different.  You know patience.So, I’ll transition pretty quickly like Lamont Peterson, Anthony Peterson, Adrien Broner, guys like that..
Q
Are you hoping to–just to name two guys to follow the tradition of African champions, like Ike Quartey and the great Azumah Nelson, to bring another title back to Africa?  Is this what–not only to win, of course, but is–this is your direction, your crusade, when you were saying that, “Finally, I got a chance at a world title,” and your heart of hearts, this is what you want to do, to bring another title to Africa?
Commey  
Yes, that’s exactly what I want to do. Like you said, the likes of Ike Quartey, Azumah Nelson, to bring a championship back to my country.
Q
Knowing that this is for the vacant IBF world title, of course, what have you–without giving out trade secrets, what have you done in camp to–different or with a high acceleration to make sure that your hand is raised in victory over Easter?
Commey
Well, of course, I spar a lot of big guys like Joshua Clottey, and I have the kind of power to excel in the gym and on fight night. I want to follow the tradition of Ghanaian boxing. So, I’m coming there to make sure, once I get my game plan underway, then I’ll victorious.
Q
Do you run at all the risk of being a little overconfident against another opponent who is also undefeated and has traveled all over, fought a lot of different type of fighters in all different countries and certainly has no fear of coming here?  Are you a little overconfident in those remarks?
Easter
No, not at all.  Not at all.  I believe in my skill.  And I know what I’ll come and do, just like my last fight and fight before that and a few fights before that.  Once I got my game plan, when I come in the ring, I know how to make the fighter try to adjust to me.  Once I get a fighter try and adjust to me, then the fight is already won.
The skills, you can see the skills, mine and his.  He’s a straight coming-forth fighter, try to hard punch and all that.  But, when got boxing and you can punch as well and you can move, don’t matter.  It speaks for itself.
Q
So, how surprised were you that Barthelemy did give up the title and that you ended up getting this title shot?  Seems to me probably about maybe around a year or so or at least in the IBF 9 or 10 months sooner than maybe you had expected.
Easter
I knew after the Mendez fight I was going to have a big fight coming up.  So, either way, I was going to train like it was a championship fight, like I do always.  So, it is surprising that it came up this soon.
Q
Do you think, when you face him, you’re going to have to use your height and length and box him because you mentioned how aggressive he is, or is this going to be similar to Argenis Mendez, where you can drop that big shot at any moment and knock the guy out?
Easter  
Yeah, I’m going to and I will have to box.  That’s the plan for every opponent I fight.  I box and use my length.  So, as long as I do that and see a weakness–wherever I see a weakness, that’s when I go for it.
Q
I count six different countries that you’ve fought in between your home country, United States, throughout Europe.  Can you talk about what that experience has done in terms of giving you confidence to come again to the United States and take on an American fighter in a pretty significant fight for a world title?
Commey
Like you said, I’ve been fighting all over the world. I’m very comfortable fighting in the U.S. I don’t really think about where I’m going to fight, just do my best, and whatever happens, I take it because, as a boxer, I need to prepare.  I need to be ready to go wherever to fight.  I’m ready to go anywhere to fight to so wherever I go as a boxer.  So, I’m all good
Q
Richard, can you just give me your opinion about the kind of fighter and what you think about the style of Robert Easter, if you’ve seen him fight?
Commey
What I’ve seen of him, I know he’s a great boxer, a skilled boxer, and he tries to move a lot.  But, likewise, I can box.  I can come forward.  So, on the night of the fight, definitely, I know what I’m going to do.
Q
Did you have a preference of fighting Barthelemy, who was the reigning champion, or taking on another undefeated fighter for the vacant title, or did it not make a difference to you?
Commey  
Well, at the end of the day, that’s you want.  Once you got a chance to fight for it, whatever comes, it doesn’t really matter who you’re supposed to fight.   It’s the title I want.  So, for me, I don’t really feel much disappointed.  I’m there to fight for the title.  That’s what I want.  So, I’m not disappointed.   It’s all good as I’m really looking forward for the title.  And once I’m fighting for the title, I don’t mind.
Abrams
Okay.  We’re going to wrap up this part of the call.  I know we’ve got–Sergio is on the line.  And I think Daniel will be on the line in a second.  Just a quick final comment from both, we’ll start with Robert.
Easter
Just be ready September 9th.  I’ll come bring a lot of fireworks and a lot of action and another short bout, September 9th, and will be the IBF champion.
Commey
Come on the 9th of September.  I’m coming to put my life on the line.  And I’m going to be the world champion, IBF lightweight world champion.
Abrams
Thank you, guys.  We’ll see you in Reading September 9th.  And, Danielle, I think we’re ready now with the–I believe Sergio is on the line. I know Daniel going to be in, in a second.  I guess, while we wait for Daniel, Marshall, I don’t know if you want to introduce Sergio?
Kauffman
Sergio Mora, a very exciting fighter.  His last fight was fireworks.  And I’m looking forward to fireworks once again.  Danny Jacobs dropped him first, and Sergio came back and took advantage of Danny’s mistakes.  And then the third knockdown was something that’s still a question mark, whether it was from a knockdown or a twisted ankle.  So, there are question marks–there are questions that are left to be spoken for.  And I believe Sergio is in shape.  And we’ll see, come September 9th.  How about it, Sergio?
Sergio Mora
It was no knockdown.  I always–I’m the one getting punched, by the way.  So, I didn’t feel the punch, and it was definitely just me twisting my ankle.  It was Jacobs pushing me down as well.  Yeah, the referee kept warning Jacobs also that he was pushing me down with his elbow.  I normally go down low like that.  So, it’s not the first time it happened.  So, it’s a mix of a lot of things.  But, it wasn’t a punch to knock me down.  It was all my ankle.  And if was a punch, then why didn’t I stay down?  I was up at the count of two or three on one foot.  So, it definitely wasn’t a punch.
Abrams
And I believe the WBA middleweight champion Daniel Jacob on the line.  Daniel, you want opening statements and maybe a response to that?
Daniel Jacobs
Well, I came in briefly.  And from what I hear, he’s saying that that last shot wasn’t a punch that put him down.  I don’t know what my eyes were seeing, or I don’t know what my fists felt, but in my opinion, and I think, if you clearly go to the video, the replay, it was a punch that put him down.  It was the uppercut that started–which had him back–withdraw and back up.  And then it was the overhand right that put him down.  So–.
Mora
The overhand right grazed the back of my head.  Yeah, the overhand right grazed the back of my head, but my ankle was already twisted.  It was a tricky shot.
Jacobs
It could be a graze.  It could be whatever you want to say it could be, but it put you down.  Listen, let me give my opening statement, please.  I just got on the line.
Mora
But, it didn’t keep me down.  If I was hurt, –I wouldn’t have gotten up.
Jacobs
Okay.  Allow me to have my opening statement, Sergio, please.  I just got on the line, brother.  Show some respect.  I just got on the line.  So, my opening statement, ladies and gentlemen, it is the honor to be back into the ring.  I’ve been out for quite some time.  The reason we’ve actually been out for so long was because we were trying to get a better opportunity at fighting B.J. Saunders.  Obviously, that fight took a little longer than anticipated.  And this is the reason why this fight is happening.  It isn’t because I’ve been avoiding Sergio Mora.  I just understand that this fight for my career at this particular point isn’t really going to do anything for me.  It’s more going to do anything–more for Sergio than it would do for me.  But, me and him have the same management in Al Haymon.  So, I can understand why this fight is being made.
But, the reasons why he’s saying this fight is being made as far as me ducking him and not wanting to fight him, I mean, that’s absurd.  That’s absurd.  But, I’m just excited nevertheless to be back into the ring.  It’s a good time for me to be able to get back in there and have some fun again.  I look forward to a very good matchup again I hope.  But, one question that I do have for Sergio is, in previous interviews, he said that he was going to have a more exciting style and he was tired of being the born fighter he used to be that wasn’t appealing to fans, and he wasn’t going to do much running, this other stuff, stuff that he’s been getting criticized before, he wasn’t going to do that.  And now that he says he’s felt the power of myself, he says he’s going to completely switch the game plan.  So, my question is, what–why the sudden change?  I mean, what’s the difference now?  Why are you not going to be more exciting and more appealing now, like you said before?
Mora
I said I was going to be exciting and more aggressive.  I didn’t say I was going to be stupid.
Jacobs  
Oh, yeah, that is stupid to come and–that will be stupid to come and actually go toe to toe and bang with me.  You’re absolutely right.  So it’ll be interesting to see the game plan that you have for this coming fight because I just hope it’s not a stinker, man.  You’re getting a second opportunity at a world–at my world title shot.  Please let’s not make it a snoozer.  It’s bad enough we’re both receiving a lot of criticism for this fight, but dude, please let’s just make it exciting.
Mora
Hey, listen, I’m the king of criticism.  If you can’t take criticism, you don’t belong to be a champion.  You don’t belong in the top like that.  That’s part of being a world champion is taking all the bullshit from critics and media and everyone else.  And if you’re thin-skinned, then you’re not going to hang very much as the world champion.
Jacobs
Okay.  Yes, sir.  Ready for some questions.
Q
Sergio, after that first fight, you said that you felt that, because it was so early in the fight, it was going to be called-be a no contest.  Turns out it ultimately ended up being a loss on your record.  Do you feel like the fact that it’s been so–that the fight ended in that way, do you feel like an extra layer of motivation to try to win this second fight?
Mora
No, that blemish on my career is–it’s already there.  I tried to contest it with the New York Commission.  But, it got me nowhere.  The New York Commission is a mess as we’re all finding out when it comes to the fights and boxing and MMA and everything else.  So, I went that route.  It didn’t go anywhere.  So, I’m going to have that TKO on my record for the rest of my career and the rest of my life.  And it’s sad because I don’t want it to be on a technicality.  So, does it irk me?  Absolutely.  But, am I past it?  Yes.  I just want an opportunity to clear whatever happened.  Jacobs said that he dropped me twice.  I only fell once.  I dropped him once.  Round of the year, Sports Illustrated.  Second round, I feel I was in control and winning.  With 5 or 10 seconds left, the injury happens, and I bust my ankle.  So, there’s a lot of unanswered questions.  And for whatever reason this fight is happening again, I’m going to–I’m fully prepared for whatever comes.  And I just want to–I just want my opportunity.  And I’m thankful that I got it.
Q
Daniel, in that–in the first round, Sergio did knock you down.  You said after the fight ended that you were a little bit careless in that first round.  Are you taking a more conservative approach, or are you being a little more careful knowing that Sergio has the capabilities of knocking you down?
Jacobs
Listen, there’s always opportunities to learn and grow in the sport of boxing.  Even with a light-punching guy like Sergio Mora, I learned a valuable lesson that, after I knocked him down and I was going in for the kill, that you still have to be defensive minded, even when you have a guy hurt because I was on the verge of stopping this man.  There’s no way around that.  I was definitely on the verge of stopping him.  But, in my mind, I got a little careless.  And the way I had my feet spread, I mean, I just got caught with a real clean shot.  It’s nothing I can take away from him.  He definitely earned that.  But, it was a valuable lesson to me and a lesson that I’m sure I won’t make again.
Q
Sergio, how was the rehab in trying to get back and healthy?  Was there anything that, during that time, you looked at yourself as a fighter and wanted to improve upon for this rematch?
Mora
No, not as a fighter.  The only thing I had in mind was to heal up 100 percent.  I did everything in my power, in my capability to heal up properly.  I did all the–I got the best treatment.  I tried to go with the best physical therapist and with ice and do all the remedies, all the Mexican remedies that my mom would tell me to do.  And I tried to do everything possible to do it.  So, finally, I–after 6 to 7 months, I started–little by little started putting pressure on it.  And I started feeling good and taking it–taking Aleve.  And sometimes, I have to take cortisone shots in order for me to go harder and faster.  So, I just did everything in my ability, plus prayer.  And thank God I’m back.
Q
I don’t know who’s best fit to answer this question, but is there a rubber match clause in the event that Sergio pulls the upset?
Mora  
I’m the king of rematches.  So, I’ll answer that.  I’ve had four rematches.  This is going to be my fifth.  And I’ve never had a rubber match.  I probably deserved a rubber match with Brian Vera.  But, Texas is just too big and strong for me to beat.  So, rubber matches, I don’t know.  We’ll see.  I got to get the win first.
Q
Are you confident, Sergio, in your ability to plant on your ankle?
Mora
Absolutely.  Now, I am.  There were times within the year that I’ve been off that I questioned it.  And I’m 35 years old now.  So, everything heals up slower.  I can’t fool myself.  So, sometimes, I question it.  But, now, I’m not anymore.  I did everything.  I put all the pressure, sprinting uphill, sprinting downhill, stopping on a dime, pivoting, twisting.  And I feel an ache here and there.  But, as far as me doing, I’ve done it.  So, mentally, I’m there.  I’m ready.
Q
Daniel, do you feel this fight is a backwards step?
Jacobs  
I absolutely do.  I mean, I think it’s just–to me, this is kind of like a just-stay-busy fight because we weren’t able to get the fight that we actually wanted, for whatever reason.  But, to me, I don’t think this does anything for my career.  Like I said before, we’ve always wanted to move up to bigger and better opposition each time out.  This is kind of a step back.  And I understand that it left a bitter taste in certain people’s mouths because of the way Sergio Mora lost.  But, in my opinion, he was on the verge anyway.  So, that’s how I look at it.  But, this is for me an opportunity to kind of quiet the critics and just make the final statement once and for all that I am the better fighter, better boxer.
Hell, I’m better in general inside that square ring.  Sergio Mora has nothing in there to stop me, especially come September 9th.  I’m in the best shape that I’ve ever been in my life.  And he said before that I don’t like to go 12 rounds.  I mean, I’ve never said that.  I mean, just because I’ve knocked guys out doesn’t mean I don’t like to go 12 rounds.  With the Caleb Truax fight, I wanted to go 12 rounds, and I did, and then I stopped him in the 12th round.  So, it’s not like I’d just like to go out there and have this false identity like I’m this super big knockout artist.  I’m a superb boxer.  I learned the fundamentals from the amateur USA boxing.  I’ve gone internationally and performed on an international level.  I know how to box.  Sergio Mora is extremely awkward.  That’s what allowed him to get where he is now.  Take nothing away from him being a world champion.  Yeah, I have to give him credit for that.  But, as a–.
Mora
About time you give me some credit.  And guess what?  I–and hey, listen, man.  Sorry to interrupt you, but that’s the first time you’ve ever given me credit.
Jacobs
Oh, I’m sorry.  I thought I was answering the question.  Okay.  I’m going to let you go ahead.
Mora
That’s the first time you’ve ever given me credit, man.  Thank you very much.  Thank you, Danny.  Thank you.
Jacobs  
Oh, okay.  You’re very welcome.  But, as I was saying, yes, this is definitely a setback.
Q
It didn’t take long for you to get acquainted the first time around.  What are your mindsets?  Are you looking to pick up where you left off, or you taking a completely different approach this time around?
Mora
I’m still in shock that he gave me credit.  Look, the first time around, he downplayed and downgraded me as a former world champion.  And he said that he wanted to move onto bigger and better things.  I just want to touch on something.  I’m the best name on Daniel Jacobs–no, let me take that back.  I’m the most accomplished name on Daniel Jacobs’s record.
So, how is he down–how is he going backwards?  How is he regressing by fighting me?  I’m the best–I’m the most accomplished on his resume.  He’s not even top three on mine.  I’ve got hall of famers on my resume.  I had to beat a world champion, a five-time world champion to become champion.  He had to beat a guy Jarrod Fletcher Jacob–I don’t even know what the hell his name is, Fletcher Jones or whatever it is.  So, the bottom line is you’ve got to give me my credit, man.  So, thank you for giving me that credit.  Now, what was your question, again?  I’m sorry.
Q
Are you looking to pick up where you left off, or are you coming in with a totally different mindset?
Mora
Well, look, I know that I got dropped.  I’ve been dropped before.  I can get up, and I’m pretty resilient that way.  Jacobs took a little longer to get the cobwebs off.  So, he–now, he knows that I can punch.  I don’t think he’s going to come in as aggressive as he was the first time.  If he does, maybe we’ll leave off.  That’s going to be up to the champ.  The champ wants to start if off, I’m good.  If not, if I see him–fighting behind a jab, then I’m going to have to go and put the pressure on a little bit.
Q
And, Daniel?
Jacobs
So, I just–I totally feel like he’s just full of it right now.  I don’t think he’s going to come forward.  He’s even said it in the interview.  Now, he understands and he knows how much power I possess.  He’s going to change the game plan.  And he’s going to try to take me into what he quotes are deep waters.  So, he’s going to try to take me in later rounds, which in my opinion, he has to box, and he has to be on the back foot to do so.
So, in my opinion, I think he’s going to try to make it a snoozer.  He’s not going to try to make it exciting and come forward.  And it’s just my–it’s just up to me to make it an exciting.  And I’m going to do what I’ve always done.  I’m going to come forward, and I’m going to adjust if I need to make adjustments.  And that’s simple.  I want to hurt this man.  There’s no way around it.  I want him to feel and eat his words, clearly.  So, I’m going to come in there, and I’m going to try and punch you in your face.  It’s plain and simple, Sergio.  That’s my game approach.  But, if you want to box–.
Mora
That’s all good.  You try to reach my–.
Jacobs
If you want to go on the back foot–.
Mora
I’m going to be touching that body.
Jacobs
Hold on, sir.  Hold on, baby.  Hold on, baby.  I’ll let you answer your question.  Hold on now.  Be respectful.  If you wanted to be on the back foot, that’s the game that I can play, too.  I have an extreme amateur and professional boxing resume, brother.  Like, we can do this.  But, the game plan for me, to answer your question, is to go in there and hurt this man, period.
Q
Sergio, given the fact that Danny has said that this is a backwards step for him, he looks at it as a tune-up fight, didn’t really want to have the rematch, why–what do you think it was that actually got you this rematch and I know you wanted very badly?
Mora
Al Haymon, plain and simple, Al Haymon.  I think no one was campaigning for this rematch, Dan.  And I think a lot of people were surprised that it happened.  I certainly was surprised that I got the phone call because, even though I was promised by Al a big fight my first fight back, I didn’t expect it to be for world title versus Daniel Jacobs in a rematch.  So, I’m very, very thankful to Al Haymon.  And honestly, just to–I mean, not to be funny or anything, but if I really have to thank another person, another thing, it’s Twitter because it gives me a voice when I was injured.  And I never had that before.  I just wish I would’ve started it earlier and had more of a following.  So, yeah, I’ve got to thank Twitter, too.
Q
Do you think–I mean, you’ve had your ups and downs.  You fought a lot of good names.  But, you mentioned a little earlier 35 years old.  Do you think this maybe this could be your last chance at a world title?
Mora  
Yeah, probably.  I mean, I can’t be foolish and say that I can move–I can beat Bernard Hopkins.  I can’t.  I’m not Bernard Hopkins.  There’s only special people that could fight in their mid-30s and so on and still be fighting the best.  So, even though, if my body hasn’t taken a beating, I’ve been in the game a long time.  And the wear and tear from sparring and from running and from the dieting and from all the other stuff, all that takes effect.
But, even though I am well preserved, I’m still the age that I am.  And the hunger’s still there.  So, number one, if the hunger’s still there, everything else falls into place.  So, we’re going to find out in two weeks exactly if the hunger and my body is at the same level.
Q
Were you anxious to just go right back in with Danny in a second fight if you could get the fight, or did you consider a tune-up?
Mora
No, no.  Great question, Dan.  Me and my team did have that discussion.  And we did think about fighting someone else.  And I think Alfredo Angulo was a name they offered and were considering.  But, we know Angulo very well.  And we just didn’t feel right taking that fight, especially watching the fight–his last fight.  But, the ankle feels good.  And we decided to go straight into this title fight because we weren’t sure we were going to get it again.  I think the stars lined up perfectly for it to happen.  And Jacobs admits that, too, that he didn’t want to fight me for whatever reasons, and I got this fight thanks to Al Haymon.  And that’s it.
Q
What was it that made you decide that, ultimately, you would in fact give him the rematch, even though it’s clear that it’s not a fight that you want?
Jacobs
It’s just I understand how it left a bad taste in people’s mouths.  So, with the options that we were given, with talking to Al and talking with my team, I guess it just kind of made–not sense, but it just was the right thing to do at the very–at that moment.  And I won’t say we looked at it as, like, hey, this is an easy win or this is an opportunity to make easy money.
Like, we don’t look at it like that.  But, we kind of just–and we definitely wasn’t forced into the fight.  So, that’s another thing that I want to make clear.  Al Haymon didn’t say, “Hey, this is going to be what you’re going to do.”  So, me and my team came together.  And for whatever reasons, we allowed this fight to happen, but we definitely wasn’t forced into it.
Q
So, you mentioned you had some other options that were brought to your attention.  What were those other options?
Jacobs
They just wasn’t–like, it wasn’t guys in my opinion at that level that were bigger and better.  Like I said before, we looked at the whole scene of the middleweight division, and Andy Lee and a couple other guys that names were thrown out there. We were trying to make that fight happen with Lee.  I think that fight kind of fell through maybe once or twice.  So, we were just like, “Hey, let’s just go with Sergio Mora.”  The way we–the way it looked and the way we won kind of left a little bit bad taste in people’s mouths.  So, it just makes sense to do it.
Q
What is the big fight out there?  You are–as the WBA’s regular champion, you are the mandatory for Gennady Golovkin.  I want to know if that’s a fight that you’ll consider after this?
Jacobs
Absolutely.  That’s the fight that I want.  I want the best out there.  We tried to make the fight with B.J. Saunders.  We tried to make the fight with a couple other guys.  But, it just didn’t work.  Chris Eubank, Jr., was another opportunity for us to fight.  But, he didn’t want no part.  So, even after winning the–forgot what title he won because I know I was his mandatory at some point, and he declined.  And so, we want to fight the best, point blank, period.  Triple G is the best, and that’s the guy that we want.
Q
What kind of particular stylistic problems you think you’d give Golovkin that he hasn’t seen yet?
Jacobs
I definitely believe I would be the toughest test because I believe I would be the victor in that fight.  I definitely believe in my skills and my ability.  At one point in my career, the only reason why I said I wanted to wait was so I could get 12 rounds so we can go the full distance and know how we can actually feel in a tough fight for 12 rounds.  I’ve accomplished that.  And then the only thing that was kind of keeping me from making this fight happen earlier was the finance.  So, people saying I was ducking or I was doing a whole bunch of this and a whole bunch of that, that’s far from the truth.  I just wanted to be compensated accordingly.  And that was it.  If we can make these fights happen sooner than later, I’m all for it.  But, in the same token, I still would like to be compensated accordingly.
Q
Are you confident that you could get a deal done that would be good for the finances?
Jacobs
I don’t really know too much about that.  I mean, I have a great team.  And I leave all those things up to my team.  My thing is to stay ready, to be ready, and to perform at my best when I’m inside the ring.  So, whatever the logistics is outside the ring, all I have to do is say, “Yes, I’m comfortable with that.  And let’s make the fight.”
Q
Now, I know you’re a pretty even-keeled guy, but has Sergio got under your skin with all the trash talk?
Jacobs
Oh, hell yeah.  I mean, not under my skin to where it would affect my game plan or it’ll affect me inside the ring.  No, it’s just some of the things that he’s said or from the pictures that he’s posted, and that’s what he’s supposed to do.  And he’s landed an opportunity at fighting me again. But, this is an opportunity that I’m looking forward to.  And this is probably for me the first personal fight that I’m entering in with mean intention.
Q –
And a question for Sergio.  You’ve been around for a long time.  You’ve fought a lot of top guys, like Sugar Shane and so forth.  Where–how would you compare Danny to those guys?  And how do you think you’ll–a guy like you who has such a high boxing IQ, how do you think a rematch would help you?
Mora
Sugar Shane and so forth, and Vernon Forrest, two great fighters.  Look, Danny has his amateur pedigree.  And he can fight behind the jab, like he says.  And he could be–and he can fight on his back foot, as he claims.  He says he’s gone 12 tough rounds.  I only seen him go 12 one-sided rounds against a guy named Caleb Truax.  Those weren’t tough.  He doesn’t know what tough is yet.  And he isn’t really–he hasn’t experienced what it is to be in there with an all-around championship caliber fighter for 12 rounds.  I have.  That’s the difference.  That’s the difference.
And I feel that, until he experiences that, he still doesn’t know what it is to be an all-around champion, a champion that’s had to deal with getting knocked down, getting up, bad cuts, being down behind them cards, losing on cards going through the final championship round.  These are the experiences you can only dream of and hope of.  So, until you experience that, you can’t really say he’s done that.  Right now, he still needs to learn.
Q
Sergio, do you relish having the kind of opportunity to, as you said, teach somebody to be a fighter?
Mora
Absolutely.  I relish the opportunity to do great things, man.  And I think that, if you look back at my career, every time I get a big opportunity, I conquer it, or something like the Shane Mosley thing happens where, actually, I won, and it was a draw.  But, the big opportunities, I shine, man.  And this is just something that always needs to happen, always have to take the hard route.  That’s been my career, man.  I’ve never been the A side.  I’ve always been the B side that could compete with the A side.
And this is just another example of that.  Danny, the young champion looking down on me, subordinating me, making me feel like I’m lucky to get this opportunity, I’ve dealt with that my entire career, man.  It’s nothing new.  I know I’m here over and over, time after time for a reason because I’m that fucking good.  And so, people recognize and realize that.  I’ll never get the credit for it.  And that’s fine, as long as I keep getting the opportunities and as long as I become a three-time two-division champ.
Q
Tell us about that, how you approach the fight, what you expect to take place, especially in light of the last two fights ending quickly.
Jacobs
Well, I don’t really anticipate or expect anything.  Boxing is one of those things where anything can happen at any given moment.  My thing is I just want to be ready.  And when I prepare inside the gym and I’m in tip-top shape, I’m prepared and ready for anything that will come my way inside that ring, whether it’s the first round or whether it’s the last round.  It just so happens that these last couple of fights I’ve had been very exciting first rounders.  So, my thing is, as long as I’m able to adjust, I can come and be prepared for anything that comes my way.
Q
What was key in those two fights–to both of those fights starting off with so much activity and so much action?
Jacobs
I think just getting warmed up properly and the backstage, making sure that the flow was going and that you don’t have to kind of warm up in those first couple rounds.  Me and my team do a great job–and shout out to my team, by the way, who do such a great job with making sure that we’re prepared and ready for each round from the very first to the very end.
Q
And is that going to affect at all your game plan because people have seen those two previous fights, and they’re talking about it.  They say, “Maybe this is a guy who is just going to destroy people in the beginning.”  Is that weighing on your approach at all for this rematch?
Jacobs
Absolutely not.  My MO as a fighter is to be a fluent boxer first.  It just so happened that the speed and the power that I possess as well kind of hurt guys, and I’m a really great finisher, where actually, my mentality is to go in there and show my skills.  That’s what I love about the [sweet science].  I actually love to get behind my jab and put my combinations together and start to get good movements and good angles.  Like, I love that stuff.
But, it just so happens that, when I’m in there with guys and I’m starting to land good shots, and they get hurt, we just have rounds of the year and first round stoppages and early stoppages, so on and so forth.  So, I’m just happy I’m able to get the victory and finish strong.
Q
And, Sergio, what do you expect?  Do you expect this rematch to have this same type of electric start, or how do you prepare for this?
Mora
Well, we’re going to go back to Danny’s power.  He does have power.  And you’re born with power.  You can’t teach power.  You can’t go in the gym and work on power, or else I would’ve done that 20 years.  So, he’s blessed with an ability to punch hard with both hands.  And he’s always going to make for exciting fights.  Now, he’s also vulnerable because he’s been dropped before.  And that’s also on the exciting side.  So, whenever it comes to a guy like Danny Jacobs, you never know what you’re going to get.  It’s kind of like fighting a guy like Victor Ortiz, even though I think he’s better all around than Victor.  Victor’s exciting.  He’s a former champion.  He’s a power puncher.  But, you never know what Victor you’re going to get.
So, I think that’s the same thing with Danny, only Victor’s fought better opposition than Danny.  So, that’s the difference.  I think, for this fight, I don’t know, man.  I really don’t know what I’m going to expect.  I didn’t expect to go down in the first round.  I was surprised by the punch.  It was an awkward punch in from a southpaw angle.  I believe his right foot was in front.  I took a picture a little too long and held the position, expecting a left hook to come, and instead a right uppercut came, which is awkward.  And he calls me awkward.  That was an awkward punch.  So, yeah, you know what?  He stunned me.  I got up.  I shook it off.  And he came for the kill, like I knew he would.  And I was able to catch him.  I think we both learned that we can hurt each other, and we both learned that we both can be sneaky from certain sneaky positions.  So, I don’t think it’s going to start off with fireworks, like it did the first time.  But, I think it’s going to end up fireworks.  I don’t know if it’s the second, third, or further down the fight.  But, that’s what I’m expecting.
Q
And would anybody like to make a prediction for this fight, Danny?
Jacobs
I don’t make predictions.  I don’t like to go in there and have any type of thing going in my head where I have to live up to it.  I just like to win.  And however I win, however it comes, I’m grateful for it.
Mora
If I’m ready, I go in there to win.  And I’m ready for this fight.  I’m confident.  I expect a great performance from both of us.  And I expect to become a world champion, a two-time world division champion by the end of this fight.  So, I’m expecting to win.  I don’t know.  But, I’m going to win.
Marc Abrams – Okay.  Well, that’s going to wrap it up.  I just want to get every–Daniel and Sergio, just a quick final comment.  And after that, we’ll see you on fight week.  Daniel?
Jacobs
I just have a lot of people to thank that I would take this time to thank.  First off, I would like to thank my team and everyone involved for allowing me to have such a great camp.  They’ve put in the necessary work, everyone, team Jacobs, the necessary work that we need to be 100 percent prepared for this fight comeSeptember 9th.  I will be proudly representing my Brooklyn Boxing apparel as I’m sporting my trunks and finessing my moves inside the ring.
I want to give a big shout out to Brooklyn Boxing, have been supportive of my whole career. And me being an ambassador, I definitely have to big them up.  And Al Haymon, most importantly, Al has been taking care of me.  I’ve been the first guy that Al has had directly out of the amateurs to a world championship.  So, I have to give my hat–take my hat off to Al and everyone in our team Haymon.  And that’s pretty much it, all the promotors and managers involved with this as well, everyone who has made this possible, and thanks for all the fans for all the continued support.  Thank you very much.
Abrams
And, Sergio?
Mora
I got to start with Al Haymon because he’s given me not only a second opportunity, third, I’ve already had four opportunities to come back and reinvent myself.  And Al Haymon gave me that opportunity.  So, I thank Al Haymon.  I’ve got to thank my loyal team, my trainer Dean Campos, who’s been with me since the amateurs, [John Montillado], the rest of my team, my cut man Carlos, and [Panda Martinez].  And I want to thank my sponsors, [Snac].  Victor Conte’s onboard for this fight.  And I’ve never been a fighter that takes supplement.  I’m a guy that just tries to eat right and hydrate.  And I notice a difference with supplements.  And I do it the scientific way.  So, I want to thank the Snac System and Victor Conte.  And I want to thank my sponsor Spy Optics.  And that’s about it.  I want to thank the fans as well for–my day-one fans and even my critics, they keep me alive, so thank them, too.
Jacobs
Yeah, you forgot one more person, brother.  You forgot one more person, Sergio.
Mora
I want thank, what, Danny Jacobs?
Jacobs
That’s it.  That’s my man.  That’s my man.
Mora
Go fuck yourself.  I see you in two weeks, old boy.
Jacobs
Well, let’s do it on September 9th.  You already know, Sergio, I’m coming for you, brother.  I’m coming for you.
TICKETS:        Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions,
                        start at $20 and are on sale now via Ticketmaster.