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Category Archives: women’s boxing
All-Time Boxing Great Thomas Hearns Visits Claressa Shields in Training at Berston Field House in Flint
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Two-Time Olympic Gold Medalist Claressa Shields to Face Dominican’s Mery Rancier for WBC Silver Super Middleweight Championship at Salita Promotions’ Detroit Brawl on Friday, Lub rau hli ntuj 16, at Masonic Temple in Detroit
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Four-Division World Champion Amanda Serrano Seeks Record Fifth World Title Against Former World Champion Dahiana Santana in Vacant Bantamweight World Title Matchup Live on SHOWTIME EXTREME® Saturday, Plaub Hlis Ntuj 22
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Undefeated Heavyweight Contender Luis Ortiz Battles Long Island’s Derric Rossy Saturday, Plaub Hlis Ntuj 22 in Premier Boxing Champions Event from Barclays Center in Brooklyn
Ntau! Brooklyn’s Amanda Serrano Looks to Make History When She Fights for a World Title in a Fifth Weight Class
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Undefeated Prospects Jose Miguel Borrego & Jonathan Alonso Battle While Unbeaten Julian Sosa & 2016 Haitian Olympian
Richardson Hitchins Enter the Ring
Nyem NTAWM NO for Press Conference Photos from Rosie Cohe/SHOWTIME
Nyem NTAWM NO for Press Conference Photos from Ed Diller/
DiBella Lom ze
Brooklyn (Lub peb hlis ntuj 30, 2017) – Unbeaten heavyweight contender Luis “The Real King Kong” Ortiz (27-0, 23 Kos) will return to the ring to take on Long Island’s Derric Rossy (31-12, 15 Kos) in a 10-round showdown Saturday, Plaub Hlis Ntuj 22 in a Premier Boxing Champions event live from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™.
Also competing in undercard action is four-division world champion Amanda “Real Deal” Serrano (31-1-1, 23 Kos) who will look to make history by becoming the first woman and the first Puerto Rican fighter to win a fifth world title in five different weight classes. Both the Ortiz vs. Rossy and Serrano bouts were announced at a press conference in New York City rau hnub Thursday.
SHOWTIME Boxing coverage of the Ortiz vs. Rossy and Serrano bouts will be announced in the coming days.
lub Plaub Hlis Ntuj 22 event is headlined by former world champions Lwm yam Berto thiab Shawn Porter battling in a welterweight world title eliminator. Televised coverage of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, presented by Premier Boxing Champions, pib thaum 9 p.m. THIAB/6 p.m. PT on SHOWTIME and also features unbeaten super welterweight world champion Jermell Charlo defending against top contender Charles Hatley.
Additional undercard attractions feature a group of unbeaten prospects as Mexico’s Jose Miguel Borrego (11-0, 10 Kos) battles 2012 Spanish Olympian Jonathan Alonso(12-0, 4 Kos) in an eight-round junior welterweight showdown, Julian Sosa (7-0-1, 2 Kos) entering the ring in a six-round welterweight fight and 2016 Haitian Olympian Richardson Hitchins (1-0, 1 KO) in a four-round junior welterweight bout.
Daim pib rau lub nyob kev tshwm sim, uas yog nce los ntawm DiBella Lom ze, pib ntawm $50 (tsis xws li siv cov nqi) thiab yog muag tam sim no. Daim pib yuav raug muas hauv internet mus saib tau www.ticketmaster.com, www.barclayscenter.com los yog los ntawm hu xov tooj 1-800-745-3000. Daim pib no kuj muaj nyob rau ntawm lub American Express Box Office ntawm Barclays Center. Pab pawg neeg nyiaj cheb yog muaj los ntawm kev hu rau 844-BKLYN-GP. The Charlo vs. Hatley fight is co-promoted by TGB Promotions and Don King Promotions.
One of the most feared heavyweights in the world, Ortiz has worked his way into the WBA’s mandatory position to fight the winner of the Anthony Joshua-Wladimir Klitschko, who fight for Joshua’s IBF and the vacant WBA Super World Championship. The Cuban-born fighter had previously picked up the interim title in 2015 with a stoppage of Matias Ariel Vidondo and defended the title with a dominant knockout of former title challenger Bryant Jennings later that year. Last year saw Ortiz continue to run through heavyweight contenders as he earned TKO victories over Tony Thompson and David Allen plus a victory over Malik Scott.
Fighting out of Medford, New York, Rossy was a 2004 Golden Gloves champion and a defensive end for Boston College before turning pro in October 2004. Rossy owns victories over Axror Muralimov, Ray Mercer and Carl Drumond in addition to challenges top heavyweights Eddie Chambers, Vyacheslav Glazkov and Bermane Stiverne. This will be the ninth undefeated fighter that Rossy faces in his pro career.
Raised in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn, Serrano gravitated toward boxing from watching her older sister Cindy, also a professional fighter. She picked the sport up quickly, amassing ib tug 9-1 record during a brief amateur career in which she won the New York Golden Gloves title in 2008. The 28-year-old would go on to fight all over the world, seizing her first world title in 2011 when she defeated Kimberly Connor to grab a super featherweight belt. Nyob rau hauv 2014, she went to Argentina and defeated Maria Elena Maderna to become a world champion at lightweight. Her world title climb continued in 2016 as she stopped Olivia Gerula in the first round to capture her featherweight championship and followed that up with a victory over Alexandra Lazar to add a super bantamweight title to her collection. She most recently put on a show at Barclays Center in January when she defeated two-division champion Yazmin Rivas by unanimous decision.
Ntawm no yog dab tsi tus neeg koom yuav tsum tau hais Thursday from Gallagher’s Steakhouse in Manhattan:
LUIS ORTIZ
“I’m not a man of many words, but yesterday was my birthday, so with that extra year of experience, I’ll speak a little bit more.
“I’m ready to fight right now. I’m waiting for the opportunity to fight the winner of Anthony Joshua vs. Wladimir Klitschko. They better get ready, because ‘King Kong’ will be waiting for them.
“I work very hard to stay in shape. All year round I am in the gym and staying ready. When the time comes and I have a fight offered, I will always be ready.
“My plan is to become the heavyweight champion of the world. I feel like I’m with the right team now that will open those doors for me. Whoever they put in front of me, I will take care of them.
“I love fighting in New York because there are such smart fans here who really love boxing. They love the knockout and I’m excited to be here to do my job.
“I’ve been working hard and waiting to get a victory on Plaub Hlis Ntuj 22. Once I get past this bout, it’s on to bigger and better things. I’ll find out everything about Rossy that I need to know on Plaub Hlis Ntuj 22 and put on a great show.
“Age is nothing to me. So many fighters have competed into their late age. I still have a lot left in the tank.
“I would love to fight Deontay Wilder. We’re both big, tough fighters. These are the kind of fights that people want to see. I know that my time will come.
“We’re looking forward to this new relationship and this first fight on Plaub Hlis Ntuj 22. I can’t wait to get out there in front of the fans and show my skills. I believe it will finally be time for ‘King Kong’ to come out of the jungle.”
DERRIC ROSSY
“When they brought the fight to me, I said let’s do it. We’re doing it right by fighting at Barclays Center.
“This is a real fight. Kuv yeej ib txwm npaj txhij. The fans are who pays us and they want to see a legitimate fight. This is going to be a quality matchup on Plaub Hlis Ntuj 22.
“I think our styles will match up well. He throws his hands well and I think I do the same. I sometimes try to be more evasive and I’m anticipating him bringing it. There might be some bull in a China shop, but then it could turn. We both adapt well in the ring.
“You can’t ask for anything better than this kind of fight. We’re both top-notch heavyweights and we’re going to go at it. It’s a thrill for me to be there regardless, but I think the fans are really going to be the winners.
“I’ve fought a lot of really good heavyweights. I won’t know how he stacks up until I get in there with him. All I know is that he’s tough, rugged and good.
“My situation is that I always have to stay ready in the gym. I happened to be ready when the call came and I said yes as soon as I could.
“I’m going to win this fight and it’s going to set up some big things. I’m in this business to get a world title. I have to go through Luis Ortiz to get there.”
AMANDA SERRANO
“I can’t wait to get back in the ring and put on a show in front of the fans. That’s what I love to do and it’ll be great to do it at Barclays Center.
“I’m motivated to make history. This would be my sixth world title in five weight divisions. This is a goal that my whole team has had. We want me to be the first Puerto Rican fighter to conquer five divisions. I want to be known as the girl who made history.
“I think every fighter wants to be known as the best in the world. If I’m not the best, I want to be one of the best. I want to be remembered and open the door for girls around the world.
“I’m very thankful for everyone who came out here today. This is a great opportunity for me on Plaub Hlis Ntuj 22. I’m going for history. I want this so badly. I train hard and I have a great team taking care of me.
“What better place to make history than at Barclays Center in Brooklyn? No matter who they put in front of me, it’s going to be a night of fireworks. I’m doing this for female boxing. I’m going to show how much talent we have. This is the one that I want more than anything. I always put on a show for my fans in Brooklyn and my eyes are on the prize.”
Lou DIBELLA, Thawj Tswj Hwm ntawm DiBella Lom ze
“I’m really happy today to announce some great additions to a terrific card on Plaub Hlis Ntuj 22 in Brooklyn and live on SHOWTIME. Everyone knows the main event is a great fight in the welterweight division. We also announced a 154-pound matchup as the co-main event with Jermell Charlo vs. Charles Hatley.
“The biggest announcement is that a very big man, is going to be on this card. All Luis Ortiz has done as a professional fighter is knock guys out. He’s one of the most feared and avoided men in the heavyweight division. Ortiz and his team want the biggest fights out there. He knows that being seen on a card of this magnitude is a tremendous opportunity.
“I know that Luis Ortiz has a big victory in mind on Plaub Hlis Ntuj 22 that will propel him to a bigger fight and eventually to the biggest fights in the world. This guy deserves the opportunity.
“Amanda Serrano is a great champion. She’s one of the best pound-for-pound female fighters I the world today. No female fighter in history has ever won five titles in five weight classes. But it’s even more amazing, given the long history of the sport on the island, that no Puerto Rican fighter has ever become a five-division world champion. Rau Plaub Hlis Ntuj 22 Amanda Serrano will attempt to make history.
“Amanda has won titles as heavy as 135-pounds and now she’ll be fighting at 118-pounds. That’s an amazing achievement. She’s always fought the best out there and she’s always proven that she is the best. She deserves the attention she’s getting. She may be the best fighter I promote, lub sij hawm. This woman stands should-to-shoulder with any of them.”
“I know that Derric Rossy is going to give a test to Ortiz. But he’s never been predicted to win. Every time I watch his fight against Bermane Stiverne, I saw him winning the fight. This guy is a real professional and he deserves this opportunity.
Stephen ESPINOZA, Executive VP & General Manager, SHOWTIME kev ua si
“We’re thrilled to be here announcing such a fantastic undercard from top to bottom. Amanda Serrano is looking to become the first woman and Puerto Rican to win world titles in five weight classes. A card this deep, you know that it is a SHOWTIME card.
“These are the kind of cards that SHOWTIME, Lou DiBella and Barclays Center are working on every day. This was a good event and now it is a great event.”
Brett YORMARK, CEO of Brooklyn Sports & Lom ze
“It’s been a special start to the year for Brooklyn Boxing. You think about Lub ib hlis ntuj 14 and March 4 and what great nights those were. Now we have Plaub Hlis Ntuj 22 and it has become a special card. We’re excited about what we’re building in Brooklyn. We’re making great strides.
“I want to welcome Luis Ortiz to Barclays Center for the first time. I’m sure it will be a special night. We’re thrilled to welcome back Amanda Serrano as well for what should be a historic night.
“We’re going to continue to put on the biggest and best events we can. It’s been a great start to the year and we’re looking forward to more to come.”
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ABOUT BERTO vs. PORTER
Andre Berto vs. Shawn Porter is a WBC welterweight world title eliminator between former 147-pound world champions. The 12-round bout headlines SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, presented by Premier Boxing Champions, Saturday Plaub Hlis Ntuj 22 los ntawm Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™. Nyob rau hauv lub co-ntsiab kev tshwm sim, undefeated super welterweight world champion Jermell Charlo battles top rated challenger Charles Hatley, nrog televised kev pab them nqi pib thaum 9 p.m. THIAB/6 p.m. PT.
Yog xav paub ntxiv mus xyuas www.SHO.com/Sports raws li nyob rau hauv Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, AndreBerto, ShowtimeShawnP, LouDiBella, BarclaysCenter ThiabSwanson_Comm los yog los ua ib tug kiv cua nyob rau Facebook ntawm www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing, www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment, www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter.PBC is sponsored by Corona, finest Beer.
News From Gleason’s Gym, Upcoming Events
White Collar/ Master’s Boxing show in London, Hais
Lub peb hlis ntuj 31, 2017
Tag nrho cov poj niam Clinic
Plaub Hlis Ntuj 13-15, 2017
Gleason’s Gym will host the seventh annual All Female Clinic and a boxing show.
Yog hais tias koj xav thov hu rau Bruce Silverglade ntawm (718) 797-2872los yog email bruce@gleasonsgym.net.
The boxing show will be at Gleason’s Gym on Plaub Hlis Ntuj 15
6:00PM
6:00PM
Personal Trainers Certification Clinic
Tej zaum 4-7, 2017
Personal Trainers-Get your Boxing Certification and earn more money. Tell your friends and co-workers. Spread the word.
Sign up now for this clinic.
This clinic is not for USABoxing Certification. It is not for USABoxing trainers and is not recognized by USABoxing.
If you are interested contact Bruce Silverglade at Gleason’s Gym. The telephone number is: 718 797 2872 and the email address is info@gleasonsgym.net.
Gleason’s Fundrasier Show
Tej zaum 10, 2017
BB Kings Times Square NYC
Neeg tua hluav taws 4 Life is a 501C3 nonprofit organization that raises money by hosting amateur boxing shows.
Our Ninth Charity Boxing Show, The Night of Charity Boxing, will take place on Wednesday May 10th 2017 at BB Kings 42nd Street.
We are looking for interesting, exciting participants that are up for the physical challenge of a lifetime.
GLEASON’S INTERNATIONAL MASTER TOURNAMENT
Lub rau hli ntuj 15-17, 2017
15th Annual Gleason’s Fantasy Camp
Lub yim hli ntuj 10 los ntawm 13, 2017
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CLARESSA SHIELDS KNOCKS OUT SZILVIA SZABADOS IN FIRST WOMEN’S MAIN EVENT IN PREMIUM TELEVISION HISTORY FRIDAY ON SHOWTIME®
Nikolay Potapov Outpoints Antonio Nieves, Wesley Tucker Defeats Ed Williams & Joshua Greer Jr. Knocks Out James Gordon-Smith On ShoBox: The New Generation From MGM Grand Detroit
Tsis txhob nco Lub Replay Tuesday, Lub peb hlis ntuj 14 Ntawm 10 p.m. THIAB/PT Nyob SHOWTIME huab®
Nyem NTAWM NO Rau cov duab; Credit Tom Casino/SHOWTIME
DETROIT (Lub peb hlis ntuj 11, 2017) – Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Claressa Shields shined in her television debut, knocking out the durable Szilvia Szabados in the fourth round (1:30) to advance to 2-0 as a professional in the main event on ShoBox: Tshiab Tiam Friday on SHOWTIME at MGM Grand Detroit.
Shields (2-0, 1 Kos) put on a show less than an hour from her hometown of Flint, Mich., landing nearly 50 percent of her power shots in the first women’s boxing main event in premium television history.
Szabados (15-9, 6 Kos), of Hungary, didn’t touch the canvas but never really stood a shot against an opponent that has been billed as the future of women’s boxing. Shields came out blazing in the opening round, backing up Szabados with crisp, clean punches as she out-landed her opponent 31-4 in the first.
Shields was a bit more patient and settled in the second and third, but the onslaught continued against a relatively defenseless Szabados. After a flush right hand, left hook combo in the fourth, referee Harvey Dock had seen enough and stepped in to halt the contest with Szabados still on her feet.
“It was about respect,” Shields said of her performance. “I wanted to go out there and show I had power and I wasn’t scared of her. I knew she was tough coming in. That’s why I started going to the body. I was going to get the clean shot in one round and she was going to go, but the ref stopped it in the fourth. A knock out is a knockout. It was exciting.
“I’m glad everyone came. I took advantage of this great opportunity once again. It’s another step toward winning a world title.”
Szabados said she was disappointed with Dock’s decision to stop the fight when he did. “I’m very sad and heartbroken right now because it only went four rounds and I could have kept going,” she said. “Her hits were not painful. Her right hook got me a lot, Kuv paub. I could feel that one.”
Nyob rau hauv lub ShoBox co-feature, Nikolay Potapov narrowly edged Antonio Nieves in a close, 10-round split decision scored 96-94 Potapov twice, 96-94 Nieves.
The technical match between undefeated top-10 bantamweight prospects was close from the opening bell. Nieves was the more active fighter, tsaws 64 punches per round to Potapov’s 50, but the round-by-round breakdowns reveal that Potapov prevailed in total connects as well as in landed power shots.
“Kuv xav tias nws yog ib tug nyob ze sib ntaus, but I came on strong at the end,” Potapov said. “I had more and finished stronger. That made the difference. I am much more aggressive now and I sit down on my shots. That’s the difference training at Kronk has done for me.
“I knew I won the fight. I wasn’t surprised when I got it. I wasn’t happy about the judging in my last big fight, but I thought this time I had done more than enough to win.”
Nieves did impressive work to the body, txuas rau 59 total body shots compared to just 14 for Potapov, but it wasn’t enough to earn him the decision.
“Kuv xav tias kuv yeej. I thought it was a bad decision,” Nieves said. “I don’t even think it should have been a spilt decision. I thought I was up clearly. He didn’t really score like he wanted to. I was making him miss and landing all the sharper punches. Everything he was hitting me with I was blocking and coming back.
“I don’t know why close fights don’t go my way. From here I go back to the drawing board. My whole team and a lot of the crowd felt like I won. I would love to fight him again.”
In a featured matchup between undefeated welterweights, Wesley Tucker (14-0, 8 Kos) edged Ed Williams in an eight-round unanimous decision scored 77-73, 79-71, 78-72 Tucker.
The foul-filled fight featured little action. Toledo’s Tucker landed 31 feem pua ntawm nws lub hwj chim txhaj tshuaj piv rau xwb 19 percent for Detroit’s Williams (12-2-1, 4 Kos), who was deducted two points for hitting to the back of the head on separate occasions. Tucker (14-0, 8 Kos) didn’t land a jab the entire fight, but his heavier shots and accuracy with his power shots seemed to be more impressive to the judges.
“He was an awkward, long fighter, who knew how to move very well,” Tucker said. “I’m not disappointed it turned out like that. Not every fight can be pretty, so I came out with the win and that’s what matters most.
“I was really frustrated in there, but I’m an action kind of fighter, so when he was running it kind of was pissing me off. He was all over the place. He ran the whole fight.”
Williams landed only 17 feem pua ntawm nws tag nrho punches.
“He didn’t show me anything I didn’t expect,” Williams said. “This week was a great experience for me, but you want to come out with a win and I wasn’t able to get it done.”
Nyob rau hauv lub televised opener, Joshua Greer Jr. handed bantamweight prospect James Gordon-Smith his firstloss with a brutal one-punch sixth-round knockout (2:06).
After a blazing first round that saw over 50 power shots landed, Greer pepped his opponent with a steady diet of counter rights as Gordon-Smith continued to charge forward and fight largely off-balance. Chicago’s Greer floored Gordon-Smith with a perfectly timed right uppercut in the opening seconds of the fifth and, despite looking dazed, Gordon-Smith rallied to survive the back-and-forth round.
In the sixth, Greer (12-1-1, 5 Kos) knocked Gordon-Smith out cold with a huge straight right that sent the Detroit native falling face forward as referee Harvey Dock immediately waved off the bout.
“I guess he blinked. That was the problem,” Greer said. “I told everyone when I got here I didn’t have that pillow for no reason. I said don’t blink and I wasn’t playing. I knew I was going to get him. The pillow is just my trademark. It’s nothing personal. You have to stand out somehow. That’s just what I do. Nothing personal to him.
“I knew what I came to do. I’m excited but I’m not shocked. My team knew what would happen and they had confidence in me. I knew it was only a matter of time.”
Gordon-Smith (11-1, 6 Kos) yog lub 160th fighter to suffer his first defeat on the prospect developmental series. And Nieves would later become the 161st.
Friday tus quadrupleheader will replay on Tuesday, Lub peb hlis ntuj 14 ntawm 10 p.m. THIAB/PT rau SHOWTIME huab. The telecast will also be available on SHOWTIME on DEMAND® thiab SHOWTIME txhua lub sij hawm®.
“Detroit City Gold,” was promoted by Salita Promotions.
Barry Tompkins called the ShoBox txiav txim los ntawm ringside nrog Steve Farhood thiab yav tas los lub ntiaj teb champion Raul Marquez pab raws li cov kws muaj txuj tshuaj ntsuam. The executive producer was Gordon Hall with Rich Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.
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ABOUT SALITA PROMOTIONS
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 los ntawm Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, ESPN, Ntsia hlau loj TV, Universal Sports Network and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.
“DETROIT CITY GOLD” FINAL WEIGHTS, QUOTES & DUAB
Two-Time Olympic Gold Medalist Claressa Shields Faces Szilvia Szabados In First Women’s Boxing Main Event On Premium Television
Friday, Lub peb hlis ntuj 10 Nyob rau SHOWTIME® From MGM Grand Detroit
Nyem NTAWM NO Download Weigh-Nyob rau hauv cov duab; Credit Tom Casino/SHOWTIME
DETROIT (Lub peb hlis ntuj 9, 2017) – All eight fighters participating in “Detroit City Gold”, lub ShoBox: Tshiab Tiamquadrupleheader which includes headliner and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Claressa Shields, ua hnyav rau hnub Thursday in advance of Friday tus telecast from MGM Grand Detroit.
Shields (1-0) will face former world title challenger Szilvia Szabados (15-8, 6 Kos) in just her second fight since winning gold at the 2016 Olympics and in the first women’s boxing event in premium television history, nyob rau SHOWTIME ntawm 10 p.m. THIAB/PT.
“Detroit City Gold,” which takes place less than an hour from Shields’ hometown of Flint, Mich., is promoted by Salita Promotions. Shields vs. Szabados is a six-round middleweight bout.
Nyob rau hauv lub ShoBox co-feature, top-10 ranked bantamweight contenders Antonio Nieves (17-0-2, 9 Kos), ntawm Cleveland, thiab Russia lub Nikolay Potapov (16-0-1, 8 Kos) will put their undefeated records on the line in a 10-round matchup for the NABO bantamweight belt.
In an eight-round televised bout, Welterweight Wesley Tucker (13-0, 8 Kos) ntawm Toledo, Ohio, faces Detroit’s Ed Williams (12-1-1, 4 Kos) in a matchup between two former amateur standouts. Nyob rau hauv lub televised opener, Detroit-based bantamweight prospect James Gordon Smith (11-0, 6 Kos) will take on Chicago’s Joshua Greer, Jr. (11-1-1, 4 Kos) nyob rau hauv ib yim-round bout.
RAWS NTAUB NTAWV tes taw hnyav li:
Claressa Shields: 159 ½ Pounds
Szilvia Szabados: 158 Phaus
Antonio Nieves: 116 ½ Pounds
Nikolay Potapov: 117 ½ Pounds
Wesley Tucker: 147 Phaus
Ed Williams: 146 ¼ Pounds
James Gordon Smith: 116 ¾ Pounds
Joshua Greer, Jr.: 116 ¾ Pounds
FINAL QUOTES:
CLARESSA shields:
“I know about Laila Ali, and Christy Martin and Lucia Rijker, and I don’t box like any of them. I have my own unique style. I’ve never seen a female fighter like myself. I want to carry the sport.
“The boxers I like and study are Sugar Ray Robinson, Joe Louis and Floyd Mayweather. Those are my favorites. And you can even throw Sugar Ray Leonard in there, heev.
“I’m going to be aggressive. I’m not going to be nervous and I’m not going to freeze up. I’m going to go right out there and hit her in the face with a right hand.
“This is my hometown fight. I last fought in Michigan three years ago. I’m going to showcase my skills on SHOWTIME.
“I’m embracing all of this. I grew up and heard when I was young that women can’t fight. I’m ready to show everyone just how wrong that is on Friday hmo ntuj. "
SZILVIA SZABADOS:
“I know Claressa is popular because of the two gold medals, and she’s young and 21. This is her hometown so I know the fans will be cheering for her. Congratulations to her. But I just have to worry about fighting my fight and staying focused.
“I know she’s a come-forward fighter like me. Always go, go, go. I don’t know what she’ll bring. It’ll be a surprise. Everyone always has a plan and I have a plan, raws li zoo. But I’m willing to change and improvise.
“I’ve been sparring with men mostly. It’s hard to find girls who can spar with me, especially in Hungary.”
ANTONIO NIEVES:
“I’m ready to go. I’m ready to show that night [a draw against Alejandro Santiago] was a fluke. There are no distractions this time.
“I’m ready to show people that I’m a contender at this weight. I’m here to prove that I deserve to fight for a world title.”
NIKOLAY POTAPOV:
“I’ve improved a lot working with Javan [Javan SugarHill Steward]. The sky’s the limit for me and I know I can be a legitimate contender in my division.
“There are going to be a lot of eyes on this fight so it’s important that I look good and get the victory. We’re both undefeated, and we’re both ranked, so there is a lot on the line in this fight.”
WESLEY TUCKER:
“I’m going to be the next world champion from Toledo. I’m a lefty and have power in both hands and I’m a pressure fighter.
“My right hook is my best punch and that’s rare for a lefty.
“I live 45 miles from here and I come here a lot so, yeah, it’s like a home fight for me.
“I know Ed Williams. He’s a nice little boxer, long and rangy. That’s about it.
“I’m going for the knockout and it may come early, or it may not. Tsis muaj teeb meem dab tsi, I always put on a good show.”
ED WILLIAMS:
“This is one of the fights that will determine whether I continue and move up, or I do something different. Qhov no yog nws. That’s what ShoBox has always been about for fighters like me.
“I took a break from boxing and got my college degree in industrial engineering. But I got the bug and came back. Things would have been much different if I would have stayed with it. I’m not doing anything with my degree yet, but will once I’m finished with boxing.
“I’m older but I don’t have many miles. I’m well-preserved. It’s going to be exciting and I’m looking forward to an exciting fight.”
JAMES GORDON SMITH:
“I’ve never lost to anyone from Chicago, thiab Friday night will be no different.
“I’ve been around boxing forever and all the talking doesn’t bother me. I would expect nothing else. He’s coming into my backyard and should be confident. He’s coming in with an eight-fight winning streak. It don’t bother me. It just gives me the extra motivation to make sure no one comes into my backyard and beats me.”
JOSHUA GREER, JR.:
“It’s not my first undefeated fighter I’ve fought so it’s no big deal. Kuv paub tias dab tsi kuv yuav tsum ua.
Sure, we were going at it pretty good at the press conference. You can say it’s a Chicago-Detroit thing. Of course there’s a rivalry there.
“I’m fast, but people underestimate my power. My power is a bigger strength than my speed. It’s something not a lot of people expect of me.
“You will see fireworks from round one.”
Barry Tompkins yuav hu rau ShoBox txiav txim los ntawm ringside nrog Steve Farhood thiab yav tas los lub ntiaj teb champion Raul Marquez pab raws li cov kws muaj txuj tshuaj ntsuam. Lub executive tsim kom yog Gordon Hall nrog Rich Gaughan ua thiab Rick Phillips directing.
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TWO-TIME OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST CLARESSA SHIELDS DISCUSSES HER LEGACY AND BRINGING EQUALITY TO WOMEN’S BOXING IN SHOWTIME SPORTS® VIDEO
“I want my legacy to be that I’m the best female fighter to ever put on gloves.” – Claressa Shields
Shields Faces Szilvia Szabados Friday on SHOWTIME® In First Women’s Boxing Main Event In Premium Television History
VIDEO: http://s.sho.com/2m3ZobR
Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Claressa Shields opens up about how growing up in Flint, Mich., shaped her career, bringing equality to women’s boxing, and her growing legacy in this SHOWTIME Sports video feature: http://s.sho.com/2m3ZobR
Shields (1-0) will face former world title challenger Szilvia Szabados (15-8, 6 Kos) tag kis/Friday nyob rau hauv lub ntsiab kev tshwm sim ntawm ShoBox: Tshiab Tiam in just her second fight since winning gold at the 2016 Olympics. The six-round middleweight bout, which will air live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. THIAB/PT), is the first women’s boxing event in premium television history.
Cov kev tshwm sim, labeled “Detroit City Gold,” is promoted by Salita Promotions from MGM Grand Detroit. Nyob rau hauv lub ShoBox co-feature, top-10 ranked bantamweight contenders Antonio Nieves (17-0-2, 9 Kos) and Nikolay Potapov (16-0-1, 8 Kos) will put their undefeated records on the line in a 10-round bantamweight bout.
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“DETROIT CITY GOLD” FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & DUAB
Two-Time Olympic Gold Medalist Claressa Shields Faces Szilvia Szabados In First Women’s Boxing Main Event On Premium Television
Friday, Lub peb hlis ntuj 10 Nyob rau SHOWTIME® From MGM Grand Detroit
Nyem NTAWM NO Rau cov duab; Credit: Tom twv txiaj yuam pov / SHOWTIME
DETROIT (Lub peb hlis ntuj 8, 2017) – All eight fighters participating in “Detroit City Gold”, lub ShoBox: Tshiab Tiam headlined by two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Claressa Shields, participated in a final press conference on Wednesday in advance of Friday tus four-fight telecast from MGM Grand Detroit.
Shields (1-0) will face former world title challenger Szilvia Szabados (15-8, 6 Kos) in just her second fight since winning gold at the 2016 Olympics and in the first women’s boxing event in premium television history, nyob rau SHOWTIME ntawm 10 p.m. THIAB/PT.
“Detroit City Gold,” which takes place less than an hour from Shields’ hometown of Flint, Mich., is promoted by Salita Promotions. Shields vs. Szabados is a six-round middleweight bout.
Nyob rau hauv lub ShoBox co-feature, top-10 ranked bantamweight contenders Antonio Nieves (17-0-2, 9 Kos), ntawm Cleveland, and Russia’s Nikolay Potapov (16-0-1, 8 Kos) will put their undefeated records on the line in a 10-round matchup for the NABO bantamweight belt.
In an eight-round televised bout, welterweight Wesley Tucker (13-0, 8 Kos) ntawm Toledo, Ohio, faces Detroit’s Ed Williams (12-1-1, 4 Kos) in a matchup between two former amateur standouts. Nyob rau hauv lub televised opener, Detroit-based bantamweight prospect James Gordon Smith (11-0, 6 Kos) will take on Chicago’s Joshua Greer, Jr. (11-1-1, 4 Kos) nyob rau hauv ib yim-round bout.
Here’s what the fighters had to say on Wednesday:
Claressa Shields:
“I started boxing at age 11 and all I really wanted was an opportunity. This is one of those big opportunities.
“Her having 124 professional rounds doesn’t mean anything to me. Her being 15-8 nrog 6 KOs doesn’t scare me either. But I am glad she took the fight and didn’t pull out.
“She’s a challenge and, rau ntawm daim ntawv, she’s not supposed to be someone that I can just walk through. But I’ve been in training camp for three months and I had a great training camp.
I’m not going to let her beat me in front of my family. I’m not going to let her beat me in front of my nephews and cousins and my mom and dad. I just don’t roll like that.
“If she doesn’t have the talent and skill to go six rounds with me, she will not go six rounds. Yog li ntawd, I hope she had a very good training camp. I know I did.
“This is the first time that a woman has been the main event on SHOWTIME and I’m not coming to make women look bad when I get in there on Lub peb hlis ntuj 10."
Szilvia Szabados:
“I’m ready to fight. I’ve been waiting a long time for this fight. I feel good and I’m in great shape.
“I think everyone has a destiny in life and I’m glad I chose to be a boxer. This is a huge opportunity for me and I plan to take advantage of it.
“I know she has the amateur experience, but I have more experience as a pro. We’ll see what’s more important on Friday."
Antonio Nieves:
“I trained and did everything I have to do. I’m ready for war.
“Coming out of Cleveland, nobody gives us a chance. We have to fight for everything we get.
“I respect Potapov. Nws yog ib tug zoo fighter. He said he’s going to take my belt? He’s going to have to take it from me. I’m here to fight. I’m not going to just give it up. Come try and take it.
“When I get in there Friday, nws yog tag nrho cov ua lag ua luam. I respect him – I don’t have any problems with him as a person.
“I’ve fought a lot of Russians and Europeans. They’re straight-up, come forward, and try to put on a lot of pressure. They bring the fight and I’m ready for that. I’m ready for anything he brings to the table.
“Anything can happen in a fight, but I’m focused and ready and I know what I have to do. I’ll be able to adjust to whatever he brings.”
Nikolay Potapov:
“I will be a much more aggressive version of myself for this fight. I trained to be very aggressive. I have a lot of surprises in store for Antonio Nieves.
“I learned a lot training at Kronk and I’m very ready. I had a great training camp and I really enjoyed living here in Detroit.
“In Russia, there is a traditional Russian style. Over here, it’s totally different. The American style is much more aggressive. I loved training with Javan SugarHill Steward at Kronk and learned a lot.”
Wesley Tucker:
“I come to fight every time and everybody knows when I fight, it’s fireworks.
“He may be from here, but Detroit is my home, heev. And I’m planning on winning here at home.”
Ed Williams:
“I’m glad to be home. I had a great camp and it’s going to be a hell of a fight.
“Wesley Tucker is coming to fight, but I’m home. You don’t let nobody take you at home. Tus ntawd yog nws.
“He may be in for a short night. Or a long one. We’ll see.”
James Gordon Smith:
“I’m knocking you out. I’m not here to play games. I’m coming straight for you. I bet you I knock you out.
“You can’t punch. What are you going to do?
“I’m coming to throw bombs, so I hope you trained for this because I’m going to knock that smile off your face. Your coach can’t fight for you.”
Joshua Greer, Jr.:
“I’m ready. You’re getting knocked out. We didn’t come here to lose.
“This is a fight I’ve been waiting for. Peb npaj txhij. Xws li Friday, I hope he’s ready, too.”