Two Main Events to Air Live on SHOWTIME

in a Split-Site Doubleheader Saturday, Majo 19

Hard-Hitting 175-pound Champion Adonis Stevenson

Defends Title Against Two-Division Champion

Badou Jack From Canada &

Prezentita de Premier Boksado Ĉampionoj

Tickets on Sale Now for MGM National Harbor Show

NACIA HAVENO (Aprilo 20, 2018) – Two exciting main events will be presented on the same night, Sabato, Majo 19 live on SHOWTIME as part of a split-site doubleheader telecast.

 

 

 

Featherweight world champion Gary Russell Jr. will defend his WBC title against undefeated mandatory challenger Joseph “JoJo” Díaz Jr.. Sabate, Majo 19 in a clash live on SHOWTIME from MGM National Harbor in Maryland.

 

 

 

The other half of the split-site SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will feature WBC Light Heavyweight World Champion Adonis Stevenson defending his title against two-division world champion Badou Jack in a main event from Canada presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

 

 

 

Tickets for the MGM National Harbor show, which is promoted by TGB Promotions in association with Golden Boy Promotions, are on sale now and are available by visitingHttp://mgmnationalharbor.com/.

 

 

 

Russell Jr. and Diaz Jr. have both had sensational professional and amateur careers, including representing the U.S. at two different Olympic Games – Russell in 2008 and Diaz in 2012. Russell is noted for having some of the fastest hands in boxing but will be tested by a young, hungry contender in his first world title fight.

 

 

 

“The featherweight division is one of the most talent laden in boxing and Gary Russell, Jr. is at the head of a class of terrific boxers at 126 Funtoj,” diris Tom Brown de TGB Promotions. “Joseph Diaz Jr. is young, hungry and undefeated and he’s coming for the title and he’s going to have to beat Russell in front of his hometown crowd to take it. It has the makings of an instant classic. Boxing fans will be the real winners on May 19.”

 

 

“SHOWTIME continues to deliver the most meaningful and action-packed fights in boxing, week after week,” Diris Stephen Espinoza, Prezidanto, Sports and Event Programming for SHOWTIME. “Sur majo 19, we have two events that demand top-billing, with world champions facing their toughest challengers in an international split-site doubleheader. Gary Russell and JoJo Diaz will meet in the latest of what has become a de facto featherweight tournament this spring on SHOWTIME. Over the next two months, SHOWTIME will deliver four pivotal matchups featuring three world champions and seven of the consensus top-10 featherweights in the world. Adonis Stevenson vs. Badou Jack is by far the biggest fight at light heavyweight in 2018, fellow 175-pound champs facing off in what has the makings of a lasting rivalry.”

 

 

 

The 29-year-old Russell (28-1, 17 KOs), kiu naskiĝis en Vaŝingtono, D.C. kaj nun loĝas en Capitol Heights, Marilando, will be defending his title before a hometown crowd. This will be Russell’s second straight fight at MGM National Harbor following his knock-out win over Oscar Escondon in his first title defense there on May 20, and second defense overall. It was his third straight knockout victory in a world title fight since dropping a majority decision to Vasyl Lomachenko in his first world title shot in 2014.

 

 

 

Russell, kiu estas trejnita de sia patro, Gary, Sr., estas parto de boksista familio. Du el liaj pli junaj fratoj, Gary Antonio kaj Gary Antuanne, estas nuntempe nevenkitaj profesiuloj, are also trained by their father and will be fighting on their older brother’s undercard on May 19.

 

 

 

“I don’t see this being a long night,” Diris Russell Jr. “If he gets reckless, it might end early. I don’t plan on going the distance with anyone I step in the ring with. I know he’s in for a rude awakening. I don’t feel as though he has the punching power, the hand speed or the ring IQ to do anything to me. At the end of the day he’ll have the opportunity to say he got in the ring with Mr. Gary Russell, Jr.

 

 

 

“It will be an early birthday gift for my Dad. Last year I fought on his birthday, Majo 20. That’s pretty cool. I love fighting at the MGM. I love the convenience. I love that all my friends and fans, and the people who honk at me from their cars when I’m running can hop in their cars rather get on a plane to come and see me fight.”

 

 

 

Diaz Jr., who is also trained by his father, Joseph, Sr., was a two-time amateur national champion in the bantamweight division. He represented the U.S. #?E la 2012 Olympic games in London. Immediately after, Díaz Jr.. signed with Golden Boy Promotions and began a stellar career that has earned him a spot at the pinnacle of the featherweight division.

 

 

 

“I’m happy to be fighting for my first world title against the best 126-pound world champion,” said Diaz Jr. “I’ll prove to everyone that I belong on that featherweight throne come May 19.”

 

 

 

“I will be the bigger man come fight night, and I will break him down physically and mentally. He just better give me the credit I deserve once I beat him, and not blame his inactivity for being a factor in his loss.”

 

 

 

 

Por pli da informa vizito Www.sho.com/sports,www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, sekvi sur Pepi @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, MrGaryRussellJr, @JosephDiazJr, TGBPromotions, @MGMNatlHarbor and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at Www.facebook.com/shoboxing Kajwww.Facebook.com/MGMNationalHarbor. La evento estas sponsorita de Corona Extra, Finest Biero.