boxing, Las Vegas, Mayweather Promotions, Tony Penecale, UFC

Mayweather vs. McGregor ** In-Depth Preview and Analysis **

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By: Tony Penecale

Fight or Farce?  When Floyd Mayweather Jr. retired in 2015 with millions of dollars in his pocket and an unblemished 49-0 record, there was a flood of speculation about whether he would ever return to the ring.  A popular notion was his ego, along with his flamboyant lifestyle, would not allow Mayweather to stay away for long.  When one of the young welterweight prospects–possibly Keith Thurman or Errol Spence–became the consensus #1 welterweight in the world, Mayweather would itch to come back and reclaim his throne.

 

However, it turned out to be a boxing outsider that drew Mayweather back in the ring, in the person of the brash and cocky UFC star, Conor “The Notorious” McGregor.  Known for his striking ability and fearless attitude, McGregor called out boxing’s money king and goaded him back with a High Noon showdown in Las Vegas.

 

Can this Mixed Martial Arts champion successfully make his boxing debut and defeat one of the best boxers in history?  Or will Mayweather prove that there is a difference in being a superior striker in a martial arts environment than in a boxing match?  Fight or Farce?  We will find out in this Las Vegas “Superfight”!

 

AGE, RECORD, AND STATS

 

Mayweather:   Age:  40 years old

Record:  49-0 (26 Knockouts)

Height:  5’8”

Weight:  146   * * Weight for last bout (9-12-15)

Reach:  72”

 

McGregor: Age:  29 years old

Record:  Pro Boxing Debut (21-3 MMA record)

Height:  5’9”

Weight:  145 ** Weight for last bout (11-12-16) **MMA bout

Reach:  74”

 

RING ACCOMPLISHMENTS

 

Mayweather:

1996 Olympic Bronze Medalist

WBC Super Featherweight Champion (’98-’02)

WBC Lightweight Champion (’02-’04)

Ring Magazine Lightweight Champion (’02-’04)

WBC Junior Welterweight Champion (’05-’06)

IBF Welterweight Champion (’06)

WBC Welterweight Champion (’06-‘07)

WBC Junior Middleweight Champion (’07)

WBA Junior Middleweight Champion (’12)

WBC Welterweight Champion (’11-‘15)

WBO Welterweight Champion (’15)

Ring Magazine Welterweight Champion (’06-‘07)

Ring Magazine Pound-4-Pound #1 Boxer (’05-’07, ’12-‘15)

 

McGregor:

Cage Warriors Fighting Championship (CWFC)

Featherweight Champion (’12)

Lightweight Champion (’12)

 

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)

Featherweight Champion (’15)

Lightweight Champion (’16)

 

STYLE

 

Mayweather:  

A pure boxer with extraordinary quickness and instincts who does everything well with an arsenal that includes a snapping jab, accurate right hand, and left hook that can be doubled and tripled with tremendous effect.  Uses feint moves to freeze opponents and open punching lanes.  Tucks his chin well behind his shoulder to roll with punches.  Even on the ropes, he is a difficult target to land a solid punch on.  He doesn’t have great punching power.  Most of his stoppage victories come from outpunching and outclassing his opponents while rarely scoring clean knockouts.

 

McGregor:

McGregor boxes from a southpaw stance, light on his feet and using lateral movement, looking to set up openings for his thunderous left hand.  While competing under mixed martial arts rules, McGregor often shunned takedowns and grappling, instead preferring to use his quickness and power from a striking stance, often with destructive results.

 

STRENGTHS

 

Mayweather:

* Experience – Boxing is in Mayweather’s blood since his childhood.  Completed an extensive amateur career by winning the bronze medal in the ’96 Olympic Games.  He has been competing successfully on a championship level for the past 19 years, facing and defeating all styles.

 

* Conditioning – Mayweather is a fitness freak with an amazing work ethic when it comes to training.  Few fighters push themselves as much as Mayweather does in the gym, even doing midnight training sessions.  It is evident in the ring when his stamina carries him in the late rounds.

 

* Ring Generalship – Mayweather knows every inch of the ring and how to control a fight.  He knows when to attack, when to box, when to turn up the heat, and when to coast.  Mayweather owns the ring when he is in there.  Even the rare times when he has been stunned in fights, he was able to quickly settle down and quell the threat.

 

McGregor:  

* Fearless – McGregor is a very self-confident and brash fighter.  He has shown no fear against some dangerous MMA fighters and has had no problems taunting them, dropping his hands, and then backing up his bold actions.

 

* Unorthodox – Not only is McGregor a southpaw, he is an extremely unorthodox southpaw.  He comes in aggressively on his toes and fires his punches from all angles, primarily his signature left hand.  He will throw it straight or in a looping fashion from a distance, and even in a short chopping fashion while in close.

 

* Power – McGregor’s striking skills and power have been lauded in the UFC and he is widely recognized as one of the top strikers in the world of mixed martial arts.  He carries thunderous power in his left hand and has scored knockouts in 18 of his 21 victories.

 

WEAKNESSES

 

Mayweather:

* Aging – Mayweather may have an unblemished record but Father Time has never been defeated.  Mayweather has been more flat-footed in recent bouts and he is now over 40 years old.  He has not been as sharp in his last few bouts and is content to neutralize and outpoint opponents.

 

* Inactivity – This is Mayweather’s first bout in nearly two years.  Since his win over Oscar De la Hoya in May 2007, Mayweather has only fought a total of 11 times.

 

* Punching Power – Most of Mayweather’s stoppage wins have come from an accumulation of punches.  The usual result is the referee or opposing corner stopping the bout to prevent further punishment.  Notwithstanding his explosive knockout of Victor Ortiz, it is rare to see Mayweather finish a bout with one punch, dating back to his days as a 130 lb boxer.  

 

McGregor:

* Boxing Experience – Despite competing in mixed martial arts and having a reputation as a dominant striker, there is a huge gap in the technique and skill level of professional boxing, and McGregor is clearly a novice when it comes to traditional boxing.

 

* Easy to Hit – Throughout his mixed martial arts career, defense was never McGregor’s strong point and he has taken a number of clean punches in some of those bouts.  Reports of some of his sparring sessions have surfaced stating that McGregor’s defense could be a liability.

 

* Instincts – McGregor does not have traditional boxing instincts due to his lack of participation in the sport.  Things that come naturally to Mayweather and other trained boxers won’t come as naturally for “Mystic Mac,” and he will have to concentrate and focus on not using his legs or elbows as he would in the mixed martial arts world.  

 

PREVIOUS BOUT

 

Mayweather:

(09-12-15) Mayweather was coming off of his historic win over Manny Pacquiao when he squared off against the faded Andre Berto.  The bout was a letdown with Mayweather easily coasting to a unanimous decision victory in what was announced as his retirement bout.

 

McGregor:

This is McGregor’s professional boxing debut.

 

3 BEST PERFORMANCES

 

Mayweather:

* Diego Corrales (1/20/01) – Experts were torn on who to pick in this one with many leaning towards Corrales to win by KO.  Mayweather never let him in the bout, knocking him down five times before the bout was halted in the 10th round.

 

* Arturo Gatti (6/25/05) – Although Mayweather was a solid betting favorite, many expected Gatti to make things rough for Mayweather.  It never happened as Mayweather floored Gatti in the 1st round and dealt out a severe beating before Gatti’s corner stopped the bout after six one-sided rounds.

 

* Ricky Hatton (12/8/07) – Hatton was undefeated coming into the bout and set a gameplan of constant pressure to wear out Mayweather.  After a few uncomfortable rounds, Mayweather was able to find his range and take over, flooring Hatton twice in the 10th round and forcing a stoppage.

 

McGregor:

* Eddie Alvarez (11/12/16 – UFC 205) – Regarded as the most dominant and complete victory in McGregor’s career.  He used his footwork to keep Alvarez at bay and avoid takedowns.  McGregor punished Alvarez, knocking him down twice early, and then taunting him in the 2nd round with his hands behind his back.  Shortly afterwards, a four punch combination left Alvarez pulverized in defeat.

 

* Jose Aldo (12/12/15 – UFC 194) – A flush counter left hand from McGregor was all that was needed to knock Aldo out, dropping him on his face and scoring the win in an amazing 13 seconds.

 

* Diego Brandao (07/19/14 – UFC 46) – McGregor scored a takedown early and then started landing his left hand.  Four minutes in, McGregor was able to cut the ring off and floor Brandao with a left hand, forcing a 1st round stoppage.

 

 

KEYS TO VICTORY

 

Mayweather:

* Do not let McGregor gain any confidence

 

* Use superior boxing experience to create angles

 

* Time McGregor’s rushes and land straight right hands

 

McGregor:

* Vary his attack to the head and body

* Force Mayweather against the ropes and close the distance  

 

* Rough Mayweather up and force him to lose composure

 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

 

* Why is this being contested with strictly boxing rules?  Simple answer is money.  To compete using boxing rules, the bout will be under the Mayweather Promotions “Money Team” banner.  The money from the live gate, advertising, pay-per-view revenue, etc. will go towards the fighter’s take-home pay.  To compete under mixed martial arts rules would then fall under the UFC banner where Dana White would be sure to keep a large chunk of the money.

* Will the 8oz gloves have an impact?  McGregor has competed in mixed martial arts using fingerless 4oz gloves.  The original plan was to use 10oz boxing gloves but it has been agreed upon to use 8oz gloves instead.  That still favors Mayweather as he is accustomed to using heavier gloves.

 

*Who has the most to lose?  Mayweather, without a doubt.  Outside of McGregor’s team, his most loyal fans, and novice fight fans, most pundits are expecting a dominating Mayweather victory.  The odds are stacked in his favor in a traditional boxing match.  If McGregor loses in a close bout, it is a moral victory and a lopsided loss, even though bruising to his ego, would be expected given their respective experience.  If Mayweather loses or struggles in a close, controversial victory, his legacy would be irreparably tarnished.

 

* What happens if McGregor uses MMA attacks?  Mayweather and his team are thorough when constructing a fight contract.  His contract when fighting Manny Pacquiao looked like the equivalent of a Herman Melville novel.  If McGregor tries any illegal martial arts tactics, he will surely forfeit a large chunk, if not all, of what is estimated to be at least a $75-million-dollar payday.

 

* Will Mayweather fight more aggressively?  Over the last decade, Mayweather has made his living using his defensive and counterpunching abilities to neutralize his dangerous opponents and win on points.  He hardly resembles the brilliant fighter who dazzled and overwhelmed opponents early in his career.  While he will still employ a Mayweatheresque defensive strategy early, the openings McGregor presents and desire to humiliate his braggadocios adversary will result in Mayweather sitting more on his punches and looking for power opportunities to the head and body.

 

* Will the fight turn ugly?  Neither fighter is afraid to play the arrogant villain role nor bend the rules a bit.  In sparring sessions, McGregor was seen landing punches to the back of the head and pushing.  Mayweather was criticized for knocking out Victor Ortiz with a punch when Ortiz was trying to apologize for a foul.  The presence on Mayweather’s team of Roger Mayweather and Leonard Ellerbe as combustible elements adds to the potential for drama.  An ugly fight ending with either fighter disqualified is not out of the question.  Referee Robert Byrd will have his hands full controlling the action if fouls start to occur.

 

* What happens next?  If the fight turns out to be entertaining, close, or controversial, a rematch is possible.  If McGregor pulls off the upset, Mayweather will certainly request a rematch.  If the bout is a close Mayweather victory, his reputation may be damaged enough that he requests a rematch.  If the bout ends up with a dominant Mayweather victory, McGregor can go back to the UFC a richer man and a bigger crossover star.  Mayweather vows to again retire but likely only until he gets challenged again for the next ultra-rich fight. He also hinted that he may challenge McGregor in the UFC Octagon, though he told reporters on a recent conference call that this will be his last “fight.”

 

PENECALE PREDICTION

 

It will be a raucous and electric atmosphere as the fighters enter the ring, and it will build towards a crescendo during an intense staredown.  As Robert Byrd goes through the instructions, McGregor will step into Mayweather’s face and try to start capitalizing on the intimidation factor.  Mayweather, normally confident and relaxed, will respond with an icy glare.

 

McGregor will spring out of his corner for round one, moving forward on his toes and flailing his arms in an unorthodox fashion.  Mayweather will move to his left away from McGregor’s power hand as McGregor presses the action and moves forward with a few wild left hands.  McGregor will throw another wild left that falls short and then try to bull Mayweather into the ropes and club him with left hands.  Mayweather will clinch against the ropes and McGregor will try to maul on the inside, using his shoulders as a weapon, warranting the first warning from Robert Byrd.  As the bell rings to end a sloppy 1st round, McGregor will jaw with Mayweather as they walk back to their respective corners.

 

For the first half of the 2nd round, the pattern will continue with Mayweather playing matador to McGregor’s bull rushes and wild left hands.  About a minute into the stanza, as McGregor starts another one of his advances, Mayweather will pivot to this left and land a flush right hand, causing the sweat to spray off of McGregor’s head.  Mayweather will set his feet, roll his shoulders, and fire another one-two combination down the middle, feint his jab and throw another right hand, which again lands flush.

 

Starting in the 3rd round, Mayweather will begin to assert his dominance.  McGregor will start to realize that having the best boxing ability in the mixed martial arts world does not guarantee success in the boxing world.  The fastest NFL linebacker is still out of his league when racing against Usain Bolt.  Mayweather’s natural ability and experience will shine as he starts to land right hands at will, and McGregor will show the effects with swelling and discoloration under his left eye.

 

The talent and experience disparity will be evident as the bout progresses in the 4th and 5th rounds.  Mayweather will be comfortable standing in the pocket and hitting McGregor with right hands at will.  While the right hand will be his punch of choice against his southpaw opponent, Mayweather will also lead with several left uppercuts, landing his punches from a dizzying assortment of angles.  The end of the 5th round will see a quickly-fatiguing McGregor slumping on his stool

 

The 6th round will be a punishing affair, similar to Mayweather’s 2005 dissection of Arturo Gatti.  Mayweather will have found the home for his right hands and will continue to land them sharply.  He will also feint the jab, so when McGregor bites on the fake and turns away to protect his chin, Mayweather will drive the punch to the body before coming back over the top to the head.  A left uppercut will buckle McGregor’s knees and another right hand at the bell will wobble him, sending him staggering back to his corner.

 

As McGregor sits on his stool, his left eye nearly swollen shut, and blood flowing from his nose, his corner will decide to save their warrior from additional punishment and stop the fight.  Mayweather will rise from his stool and rejoice in his victory.

 

The winner by 6th round TKO is FLOYD “MONEY” MAYWEATHER JR!!!!

 

boxing

LaManna decisions Sosa; wins WBC Silver Latino Title;  Announces retirement 

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CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING ON THE BOARDWALK!!!
Mayfield & Capers battle to a draw
Vermall, Julan, Rodriguez, Mamedov, Rivera & Ortiz remain undefeated
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ-It was a bittersweet night for welterweight contender Thomas LaManna as he won a 10-round unanimous decision over George Sosa in an entertaining bout in front of a capacity crowd at The Claridge Hotel In Atlantic City.

The 11-bout card was promoted by Rising Promotions.

LaManna won the WBC Silver Latino Welterweight title and shortly after, the fighter known as “Cornflake” promptly announced his retirement in the ring.

The two traded big blows throughout the bout as Sosa came out very aggressively and was able to land some good right hands.  LaManna was giving better of the two-way action, which had the sold-out crowd very enthused throughout the contest.
In round two, Sosa started to swell under his left eye. In round six, He started bleeding badly from his nose as the result of pinpoint shots from LaManna.

In round six, LaManna was dominant by scoring two knockdowns from body shots. LaManna was relentless in battering Sosa all over the ring with Sosa lucky to hear the bell to culminate the round.  Both guys traded hard shots down the stretch with LaManna getting the better of the action.  Every so often, Sosa was able to score with hard shots, but they were few and far between.
LaManna sat down on his punches and landed thudding blows as he tried to get the stoppage against the tough Sosa.

LaManna, 147 lbs of Millville, NJ won by scores of 98-90 twice and 99-88 to raise his record to 24-2. Sosa of Reading, PA falls to 15-10.

“The body work, the distance and the jab was working for me. He was long and tall so we worked on the distance and I started to put my punches together. The body work is what put him down,”said LaManna. “I took some shots from him, but that is not what I go in wanting to do. I wore him down, worked the body, touched his arms and touched his body.”

“It feels so great to win a championship and to get that hardware.”

Then LaManna announced that this would be his last fight.

“It’s Over. It’s Over. I put a lot of years into this. This is it. I want to thank my parents, Vinny Ponte my promoter, my trainer and everybody who have helped me along the way.”
Former world champion Imamu Mayfield and Lamont Capers slugged it out to an eight-round split draw in their cruiserweight bout.

In round six, Mayfield was cut over his left eye from a punch, and Capers had bad swelling over his left eye from a headbutt.Each fighter took a card by a 77-75, tally while 3rd card read even at 76-76.

Mayfield, 200 lbs of Freehold, NJ is now 26-10-3. Capers, 196 lbs of Hawley, PA is 7-10-3.

 
Yurik Mamedov won a six-round unanimous decision over Ariel Vasquez in a welterweight bout.

Mamedov, 145.5 lbs of Brooklyn, NY won by scores of 60-54 on all cards, and is now 7-0. Vasquez, 145.3 lbs of Managua, NIC is 12-19-2.

Emmanuel Rodriguez won a four round unanimous decision over pro debuting Willie Anderson.

Scores were 40-36 on all cards for Rodriguez, 119 lbs of Newark, NJ, and he is now 2-0. Anderson, 122 lbs of Paulsboro, NJ is 0-1.

Anderson is the son of former Los Angeles Rams Wide Receiver Willie “Flipper” Anderson.

Vidal Rivera won a four-round unanimous decision over Weusi Johnson in a featherweight bout.

Despite being cut over his left eye in round two, Rivera was able to sweep all cards to the tune of 40-36.

Rivera, 128.6 lbs of Camden, NJ is now 7-0. Johnson, 130.3 lbs of Wilmington, DE is 2-5.

 
Frederick Julan stopped Tahlik Taylor in the 6th and final round of their light heavyweight bout.

Julan landed a hard left that sent Taylor staggering back into the ropes, and the bout was stopped at 1:15.

Julan, 173 lbs of Brooklyn is now 6-0 with three stoppages. Taylor, 177 lbs of Freeport, NY is 2-8.

Alvin Vermall, Jr. stopped LeMarcus Tucker in round two of their scheduled six-round cruiserweight bout.

Vermall was dominant as he landed power shots from the early stages in round one. In round two, he landed three vicious shots that sent Tucker into a defenseless state, and the bout was stopped at 2:18.

Vermall, Jr., 192 lbs of Catskills, NY is now 13-0-1 with 11 knockouts. Tucker is 4-3-1.

Tomas Romain win a four round majority decision over pro debuting Marcos Lugo in a lightweight bout.

Romain, 131.7 lbs of Brooklyn, NY won by scores of 40-36, 39-37 and 38-38 and is now 4-1. Lugo, 131.6 lbs of Vineland, NJ is 0-1.

Nahir Albright flattened Ronald Logan in 77 seconds of their scheduled four-round junior welterweight bout.

Albright landed a perfect right that sent Logan down for several minutes.

Albright, 139.1 lbs of Philadelphia is 2-1 with one knockout. Logan, 140 lbs of New York, NY is 0-2.

Anthony Young won a six-round unanimous decision over Carlos Winston Velasquez in a welterweight bout.

Young, 144 1/2 lbs of Pleasantville, NJ won by scores of 60-54 on all cards, and is now 18-2. Velasquez, 145 1/2 lbs of Managua, NIC is 25-30-2.

Joshafat Ortiz won a four-round unanimous decision over Sidell Blocker in a lightweight bout.

Ortiz, 129 lbs of Reading, Pa won on two cards 40-36 and 39-37 and is now 2-0. Blocker, 128 lbs of Pleasantville, NJ is 1-9-1,

For More information, Contact:

Marc Abrams at 856 287 7611 or phillyboxing@gmail.com
boxing

VICTORY BOXING RETURNS TO PHILADELPHIA WITH PHILLY STRONG

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PHILADELPHIA – August 18, 2017 – Victory Boxing Promotions has found a new home in Philadelphia. The growing promotional outfit will make its return to the City of Brotherly love, and re-launch its Philly Strong series at the 23rd Street Armory in Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia on October 21st.

The card will be headlined by Jaron “Boots” Ennis (14-0, 12KO), who has racked up an impressive six wins in 2017 alone. It was recently announced that Ennis, who is trained by his father Bozy Ennis, and managed by mega-manager Cameron Dunkin, will be honored at Philadelphia’s Briscoe Awards for the third time. He will take home 2016 Rookie of the Year honors, just days before he steps into the ring in front of his home town for the first time since June. After stopping veteran Wilfredo Acuna in the first round in that fight, Ennis has fought twice more – once in Durham, North Carolina, and once in Washington D.C.

“Without question, Boots is one of the best young fighters in the country,” said Victory Boxing Promotions Founder and Promoter, Chris Middendorf. “We have kept him extremely busy, fighting him 14 times since his debut on April 30th last year. We have done this because of his skills, and his rapid development. He has impressed each time we’ve put a challenge in front of him. We are considering several opponents for him for October 21st, all of whom will be solid tests.” Middendorf added that Boots would be fighting at least once more before October 21st.

Several other Victory Boxing prospects will showcase their talents that evening at 23rd Street Armory, including Adam Daranyi (12-0, 11 KO), who was a standout amateur and national champion in his home country of Canada. Korean-Mexican sensation and former amateur standout Brandun Lee (5-0, 4KO), who is coming off a 2nd round knockout win in DC last weekend, will fight at Philly Strong, and local favorite Joshua Jones (4-0-1, 2KO) will don his gloves in front of his home crowd. All three fighters are also managed by Cameron Dunkin, who has managed 34 champions in his 30+ years in the boxing business.

“We are very excited to re-launch Philly Strong at the 23rd Street Armory,” said Middendorf. “It is the oldest armory in the United States, and will be a great host for world class boxing. The Armory hasn’t seen boxing since 2003, and we plan on making October 21st a night to remember.

Ticket information and purchase outlets, along with the undercard will be announced soon. For more information on Victory Boxing Promotions, please visit www.victoryboxingpromotions.com.

The 23rd Street Armory is located at: 22 S 23rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19103

boxing, Las Vegas, Mayweather Promotions, Showtime, Showtime Boxing, UFC

Mayweather vs. McGregor Conference Call Recordings

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FLOYD MAYWEATHER, JR. CONFERENCE CALL

CONOR MCGREGOR CONFERENCE CALL

boxing, Premier Boxing Champions, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

Unbeaten Rising Contender David Benavidez & Hard Hitting Ronald Gavril Battle for Vacant WBC Super Middleweight World Title in Main Event of SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION® Friday, Sept. 8 Live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/PT

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Presented by Premier Boxing Champions, from The Joint at
 Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas
 
Plus! Two 168-Pound Showdowns as J’Leon Love Meets Abraham Han While Unbeaten Caleb Plant Faces Alan Campa
 
Tickets on Sale Tuesday, Aug. 22!
 
LAS VEGAS (August 17, 2017) – Unbeaten rising star David Benavidez and powerful contender Ronald Gavril will battle for the vacant WBC Super Middleweight World Championship on Friday, Sept. 8 live on SHOWTIME in the headlining attraction of a Premier Boxing Champions event from The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas.
The SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION telecast begins at 10 p.m. ET/PT and will feature two additional showdowns in the super middleweight division. Once-beaten J’Leon Love (23-1, 13 KOs) will battle Texas-native Abraham Han (26-3, 16 KOs) in a 10-round bout while unbeaten prospect Caleb Plant (15-0, 10 KOs) takes on Mexico’s Alan Campa (16-3, 11 KOs) in 10 rounds of action.
Benavidez (18-0, 17 KOs) has a chance to make history – at just 20-years-old he is aiming to become the youngest super middleweight champion in history and the youngest reigning world champion in the sport today. Gavril (18-1, 14 KOs) will seek to keep the WBC 168-pound title in the Mayweather Promotions family after it was vacated by his stablemate, Badou Jack.
“This opportunity means the world to me,” said Benavidez. “I’ve been working for his since I was a little kid. It’s all come down to this moment when I’m ready to take this belt and take over the 168-pound division. The time is almost here, and I can hardly wait for September 8. Winning the championship would be enough on its own. But the opportunity to be the youngest in the sport is a major accomplishment and the biggest of my life, so far. I have a tough competitor in front of me, and I know he’s treating it as seriously as I am. I’ve been working for two and a half months for this fight and I’m not overlooking him.”
“It’s been a great journey for me getting to this point of fighting for a world title,” said Gavril. “I have a great team behind me who pushes me every single day to perform my best, learn from my mistakes and perfect my technique. Those values have gotten me here and I am thankful for such an amazing opportunity. I will go out there and give it everything I have, I can’t leave the ring without the championship belt.”
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Sampson Boxing, are priced at $100, $50 and $25, and are on sale Tuesday, Aug. 22. To purchase tickets visit AXS.com or the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas Box Office.
“In November 2015, I said that I had new blood for our industry David Benavidez, who would be the best and youngest super middleweight champion in the history of our sport,” said Sampson Lewkowicz, Benavidez’ promoter. “We didn’t cherry pick this opponent. He was the next available contender when Anthony Dirrell pulled out. We expect fireworks. We expect to birth a new superstar. The most important thing is to determine in which round Gavril will be knocked out, because I believe that we’re talking about matching a jet plane against a helicopter. So I expect a spectacular performance from Benavidez, who will begin his run as the new blood in boxing and will keep it going until he retires.”
“To be in a position to announce another great card coming just weeks after the biggest event in sports history shows that Mayweather Promotions shows no signs of slowing down,” said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. “We are thrilled to present this fight card on September 9, filled with tremendous talent featuring top contenders in the Mayweather Promotions stable. Gavril has proven to be a tough competitor, he’s on a long win streak with his last four coming by way of TKO, Love making his return to the stage is sure to excite fans, and the always exciting Caleb Plant will definitely put on show. This is what boxing is about, bringing together some of the most exciting talents on one stage.”
After delivering a highlight reel knockout of Rogelio Medina in May, Benavidez has now racked up a perfect 18 wins in 18 starts at just 20-years-old. The younger brother of undefeated Jose Benavidez, David picked up four victories via stoppage in 2015 and continued with four more in 2016 including blasting out previously unbeaten Francy Ntetu in June and tough contender Denis Douglin in August. Most recently, Benavidez began his 2017 campaign with a second-round destruction of Sherali Mamajonov in January. The Phoenix-native will look to make history in the 168-pound division onSeptember 8.
Born in Romania, Gavril won a 165 amateur fights and trained with the National Team before turning pro in 2011 and eventually moving to Las Vegas to train at the Mayweather Boxing Club. The 31-year-old won his first 11 pro fights before dropping a narrow contest to veteran Elvin Ayala. Gavril bounced back emphatically with seven straight victories including then unbeaten Oscar Riojas and once-beaten Christopher Brooker. He scored a third-round stoppage of Decarlo Perez in April ahead of his first world title opportunity.
A once-beaten contender at 168-pounds, the 29-year-old Love bounced back from his lone defeat with three victories 2015 before stopping Michael Gbenga and Dashon Johnson in 2016. The Inkster, Mich., native earned wins over Marco Antonio Periban, Derrick Findley and Lajuan Simon on his way to contender status and will look for another victory to put him in world title contention.
Han is a former champion kickboxer and third degree black Blackbelt who hails from El Paso, Texas and enters this fight the winner of his last three contests, including a first round stoppage in March of this year. A winner of his first 19 pro bouts, the 32-year-old owns a victory over Marcos Reyes in addition to narrow losses to former champion Sergio Mora and former title challenger Fernando Guerrero.
A 2011 National Golden Gloves champion, Plant has begun to make his name in the professional ranks since turning pro in 2014. After picking up six victories in 2015, Plant continued his success with stoppages of Adasat Rodriguez and Carlos Galvan before going 10 rounds for the first time in a unanimous decision victory over Juan De Angel in August 2016. The 25-year-old from Nashville began training in Las Vegas this year and picked up a victory over Thomas Awimbono in February.
Fighting out of Sonora, Mexico, the 25-year-old Campa enters this contest the winner of three of his last four contests, including a victory over then once-beaten Paul Valenzuela Jr. last April. Campa has fought professionally since 2010 and won his first nine fights while also battling top contenders Sergey Derevyanchenko and Jesse Hart.
# # #
For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports  and www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @MayweatherPromo, and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports,www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampionsand www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions
Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Spike TV

PENN STATE UNIVERSITY’S BRYCE JORDAN CENTER TO HOST BELLATOR 186 ON FRIDAY, NOV. 3

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RYAN BADER MAKES FIRST LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE DEFENSE AGAINST LINTON VASSELL IN MAIN EVENT

PLUS, FORMER STANDOUT NITTANY LIONS PHIL DAVIS AND ED RUTH SET TO COMPETE

LOS ANGELES – Bellator is set to make its debut at Bryce Jordan Center on the campus of Penn State University in University Park, Pa. on Friday, November 3 for Bellator 186: Bader vs. Vassell.

In the main event of Bellator 186, newly crowned light heavyweight champion Ryan “Darth” Bader (23-5) will make his first title defense against British sensation Linton “The Swarm” Vassell (18-5, 1 NC).

In addition, two Bellator competitors who spent their college years as members of the Penn State Nittany Lions wrestling team, Phil Davis(17-4, 1 NC) and Ed Ruth (3-0), will return to their alma mater to compete in MMA for the first time in their careers. Their opponents are yet to be determined.

Bellator 186: Bader vs. Vassell will be broadcast live and free on SPIKE at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, while preliminary action will stream on Bellator.com and the Bellator Mobile App. Tickets start at just $25 and will be available at the Bryce Jordan Center Box Office and Ticketmaster. A Bellator Nation presale takes place Wednesday, August 30 – Thursday, August 31, while public on-sale begins Friday, September 1 at 10 a.m. ET. Additional bouts will be announcing in the coming weeks.

Bader returns to the cage for the first time since dethroning former Penn State wrestling standout Phil Davis as light heavyweight champion in June at Bellator 180. Fighting out of Tempe, Ariz., Bader began his professional career on an impressive run, steamrolling the competition en route to a 12-fight winning streak and winning one of the most competitive seasons of The Ultimate Fighter in franchise history on Spike in 2008. “Darth” continued his path of dominance by collecting wins over some of the 205-pound division’s top talent, including victories over former world champions Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, “Rampage” Jackson, Rashad Evans, as well as a previous win over Phil Davis. Currently riding a three-fight winning streak with victories in eight of his past nine bouts, the former two-time NCAA Division I All-American wrestler from Arizona State University will look to protect his belt on November 3.

Currently training at Combat Club in South Florida alongside Matt Mitrione, Michael Chandler and Robbie Lawler, Vassell has once again put himself in position to fight for Bellator’s 205-pound title. After making his professional debut in 2008, the Milton Keynes, England native has tallied 18 victories, including 14 finishes and 10 coming inside the first round, as well as seven wins over nine bouts in just four years with Bellator. Following three consecutive victories over two former champs in Liam McGeary and Emanuel Newton, as well as Francis Carmont, the 34-year-old Vassell will attempt to become the second-ever Bellator light heavyweight champion who hails from the United Kingdom.

A native of Harrisburg, Pa., Phil “Mr. Wonderful” attended Harrisburg High School and would go on to an extremely successful wrestling career at Penn State University. After transitioning to the sport MMA, Davis made his pro debut in 2008 and went on to win his first nine bouts. He’s established himself as one of the best light heavyweights in all of MMA, winning the Bellator Light Heavyweight Grand Prix and Bellator 205-pound title. The San Diego-based fighter now boasts career wins over Liam McGeary,Alexander Gustafsson, Lyoto Machida,“King Mo” Lawal, Glover Teixeira, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Francis Carmont.

One of the most celebrated wrestlers in Penn State University history, Ed Ruth has followed in the footsteps of Phil Davis by pursuing a career in MMA. The 3x NCAA D1 champion, who now trains out of Fresno, Calif., makes his fourth appearance inside the Bellator cage looking to keep his undefeated streak intact. With three consecutive KO finishes, Ruth has established himself as a new threat in the middleweight division. Born in Harrisburg, Pa., Ruth returns to familiar territory for this upcoming bout with plans to put on another exciting bout for his hometown fans.

 

Updated Bellator 186: Bader vs. Vassell Fight Card:

Light Heavyweight Championship Main Event: Ryan Bader (23-5) vs. Linton Vassell (18-5, 1 NC)

Light Heavyweight Feature Bout: Phil Davis (17-4, 1 NC) vs. TBA

Middleweight Feature Bout: Ed Ruth (3-0) vs. TBA

boxing

 Terence Crawford vs. Julius Indongo; FIGHT WEEK TRANSCRIPT 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
EDMONTON, Alberta, Canada (Aug. 17, 2017) – Super Channel is airing this Saturday night’s World Junior Welterweight Unification Championship between undefeated world champions, Terence Crawford andJulius “Blue Machine” Indongo, starting at 9 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. PT, live from Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska.
The winner of Crawford-Indongo will hold all four-major junior welterweight world titles – WBC, WBO, WBA & IBF – plus The Ring magazine’s prestigious strap.
Three exciting fights on the loaded “Crawford vs, Indongo” card, promoted by Top Rank, will air exclusively in Canada on Super Channel.
MAIN EVENT
WBO, WBC, WBA, IBF & The Ring Junior Welterweight World Championships (12 rounds)
TERENCE “Bud” CRAWFORD (31-0, 22 KOs, WBC, WBO & The Ring Champion, Omaha, NE
JULIUS “Blue Machine” INDONGO (22-0, 12 KOs), WBA & IBF Champion, Windhoek, Namibia
CO-FEATURE
NABO & NABF Light Heavyweight Championships (10 rounds)

OLEKSANDR “The Nail” GVOZDYK (13-0, 11 KOs), Champion, Kharkiv, Ukraine

CRAIG “El Gato Negro” BAKER (17-1, 13 KOs), Challenger, Baytown, TX
Featherweights (6 rounds)
SHAKUR STEVENSON (2-0, 1 KO), 2016 Olympic Silver Medalist, Newark, NJ
DAVID PAZ (4-3-1, 0 KOs), La Plata, Argentina
(All fights and fighters subject to change. Additional fights recorded earlier may be added as needed to fill purposes. All fights will be proceeded by a “coming up graphic”.)
 
(WBC & WBO Jr. Welterweight Champion Terence Crawford with his Trainer Brian McIntyre and
Top Rank President Todd duBoef / IBF & WBA Jr. Welterweight Champion Julius Indongo with his co-promoter and manager Nestor Tobias and Matchroom Boxing’s Frank Smith.) 

TODD duBOEF:  It is going to be an exciting night on Saturday.  This will be our third event going live on ESPN and what a way to start with Pacquiao, Lomachenko and now the title unification of Terence Crawford and Julius Indongo.  We are going to be in Lincoln, Nebraska this time as Lady Gaga is in Omaha.  We are looking forward to Lincoln, as that’s where the Cornhuskers are.  This is an incredible thing to be able to do.  A lot of time people talk about seeing good fights – guys fight guys that are accomplished – then there’s other guys that want the challenges.  Julius Indongo and his promoter, Matchroom Boxing, have come up in a meteoric rise in the past 18 months and Julius has performed great.  Terence Crawford has exploded onto the boxing scene – going to Glasgow, Scotland and winning the lightweight title and coming back to Omaha in his first defense against Gamboa and winning in sensational fashion. This will be Terence’s ninth consecutive world title fight over two weight divisions.  It is unique in that is a highly-anticipated unification.  Only the second time in the four-belt era that two world champions have fought each other to unify the titles with the winner emerging as the division’s undisputed world champion.

FRANK SMITH:  It is great to be here in Omaha with Top Rank and we are really looking forward to this fight – it is great when fighters want to take challenges.  Julius has traveled all around the world – going to Russia where he won by first round knockout and then taking on Ricky Burns in Scotland in front of a huge crowd.  Julius has been spending the last few days in Omaha – I know he is very calm and very relaxed and really looking forward to the challenge.  It’s great to be involved in a fight like this with all the belts on the line, which doesn’t happen very often.  I know Julius is very confident to go back home with all of the belts in hand.  Terence Crawford is a great fighter and has shown it on many occasions and Julius is very calm and relaxed and looking forward to showing what he does and he has no concerns with the traveling.  He’ll go anywhere to take on a challenge.

NESTOR TOBIAS:  We are really excited.  Julius has trained very hard for this fight.  He is very focused and very comfortable in Omaha.  We spent some time before we came to Omaha training at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Boxing Club
.
JULIUS INDONGO:  Thank you very much for this opportunity.  I know Crawford is a very good and tough fighter and this is a big event.  On Saturday night, I will give everything I have and my focus and my game plan and everything is in position.  Just waiting for the weigh-in.  I try and not say too much before the fight, which is something that I am used to.  I prefer to do it in the ring when my opponent is standing in front of me so I can do my work.  I have been in boxing for a long time and not many people know me.  I believe this is the time for me to show the world that a boxer from Africa from Namibia can beat a guy fighting in his home in front of his people.  This is the best way to do it.  I am confident in my styles and techniques that I have learned from years ago.  On Saturday night, it is going to be boxing – I am not sure if there is going to be a knockout but I know I can do that if I have to.   I can say now that I have trained hard and my trainer is always there.
TODD duBOEF:  I also want to thank the organizations for accommodating this match because there was everyone trying that had fighters that had mandatories working behind the scenes to help put this unification together.  We are all appreciative of everybody working together to help bring this match with the participants with all four titles of the organizations.  We are very appreciative of them assisting Matchroom and Top Rank.
JULIUS INDONGO:  Yes. I would like to also thank the organizations and Top Rank and Matchroom for pushing this fight and helping the negotiations to make this fight happen – for making it all possible.
You have two titles now, but what is your view of the possibility of having all four titles?

JULIUS INDONGO:  My view of this is that I have not focused much on that since I have been busy in the gym.  I have not focused on anything but making sure of my performance on Saturday night.  My focus has been in the gym to make sure my game will be the best ever.  No one will ever forget about this fight.  The organizations were involved in making this fight happen and I appreciate that but I won’t think much about having four titles until the fight is over.

How will it feel walking out of the ring with four belts?

JULIUS INDONGO:  It’s going to mean a lot to me – it will mean all of the hard work and determination got that achievement and it will create more opportunity for me.  I will travel the world with the four titles.  I will take them back to Africa – to my country.  I am going to be very, very happy
.
How hard was it to get the organizations to go along with this?
TODD duBOEF:  It was very difficult.  We had to work hand in hand with Matchroom because obviously Matchroom and Indongo had two belts and Top Rank and Crawford had two belts and there were mandatories and everything that was coming into play.  There were people that we had to appeal to and we said, “Hey, this is a rare opportunity that we are able to do this.  Let’s try and work together and have a positive solution for the sport of boxing and I think we delicately managed it.
How long do you think the winner will be able to hold onto those titles?

TODD duBOEF:  I think we should ask that question to the winner, not before we have a winner.  (A), we don’t know who is going to win – Indongo thinks he is going to win and Crawford thinks he is going to win.  Then at that point we will have to see what the order is, who has the mandatory, what order of fights and if all of the organizations can get together and if they can great and if they can’t it will be up to the fighter to make the decisions.  And up to the promoters.  I think it is premature to discuss that right now.

How has your life changed since you won the two titles?
JULIUS INDONGO:  The thing that has really changed is – I do still live in my town in Namibia – and I try to stay focused and try do the right thing in the public.  When someone becomes known to the whole country, most importantly I try not to roll with the wrong friends.  I try and stay home and go to church after work and I do my training program twice a day.   That’s the only way that I could say it can be done.
Do you live in the same place?
JULIUS INDONGO:  Yes, that is where I am staying and where I train.  All of the people are very friendly.  We don’t have too much of a division within the people of everyone in the country, especially in the city.  There is nothing that can distract me wherever I stay or whatever I do – everyone will know in Namibia.
How much better is Crawford than Ricky Burns or Troyanovsky?
JULIUS INDONGO:  I cannot really say much on that because when I fought Troyanovsky and Ricky Burns they were both easier fights than I fought in the last fight, that I fought from home.  The two world title fights that I challenged in were the best training that I have trained.  I had never been as focused with the best game plan so it made it the easiest fights for me.  They were both easier than we ever thought they would be because of the focus on them and the game plan.

Why were you able to focus more for those two fights?

JULIUS INDONGO:  The other fights were happening at home and we used to be too much like let a lot of people in the camp – we used to share invitations – for the two last fights anyway.  The fight was for the championship so there was something that we needed to achieve and change and to improve our image (if we want) to be known in the world.  We had to have focus only on me and the potential and that’s the only way the world was going to get to see me.  The promotion had known what was happening with me and letting everyone else know.  So now everyone was going to see something new again, I know. I have no doubt.  I know.  All I can say is just only if maybe knockout come it may be late.  But waking up, the day of fight, be skillful and focused – everything is in position.  The crowd or the fans, or Terence’s home crowd won’t intimidate me – that is nothing, I cannot afford it, so I travel the same way – it is always the same.

Since you won in the hometowns of the last two titles fights how much confidence does that give you?

JULIUS INDONGO:  Actually, they are different conditions. I don’t particularly mind because it is already past.  My focus is that it is a blessing from God to keep me and not to let me wander in a sense, and to ask for a provision for myself, my president and my commander in the office that wherever I travel I will be representing all of Namibia.  It’s like I have the whole country of Namibia on my shoulders issued by my president so I have to rely on the game plan and that is the confidence that I rely.  So, if I am stepping there I know that my country and Africa is on my shoulders and when the team travels from Namibia to the fight I can only focus on the fight so it motivated me a lot.  So, I have to focus only on this fight.

Where did you train for this fight?
JULIUS INDONGO:  When I saw Crawford requested to fight the winner of the fight between me Troyanovsky, which is when I started training for this fight because we don’t have any power and the only way to rely on the big guns when they are requested for it.  So, when they gave us the offer we had to go for it so that’s when I started training.  I trained at home in Namibia – where I have always been training. (He came to the States early and trained in Freddie Roach’s gym in Hollywood).

What have you noticed in the viewership of the fights on ESPN?

TODD duBOEF:  One thing I am looking forward to on Saturday is Kurt Warner just finished his [Hall of Fame induction] speech so we won’t have to deal with that on Saturday.  This is all part of a long-term game plan of making these fighters come alive to the sports fan.  Obviously there has been an incredible amount of promotion before the Pacquiao fight and mirrored with an incredible amount of promotion for the Lomachenko fight on August 5th and ESPN will be flipping the switch this weekend, taking the weigh-in live and doing all of the same consistent promotion and this is wonderful for the people that are interested in boxing.  Everything has been terrific and to get two of the top guys in front of people that are watching the NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball are able to see the highest level of fights is just a positive step for the sport.

Has there been a change in demographic of who is watching the fights?

TODD duBOEF:  I don’t think there has been a change in demographic I think the perception of the boxing demographic in the United States has been unfortunately tight-capped – an older demographic.  We are looking at these numbers and obviously 18-49 is the number that everybody wants and even with Kurt Warner and the rest of the Hall of Fame going on we went straight up against UFC that night and beat them in both 18-49 and 18-34 which are the most important demos.  And I think additionally, for ESPN that week, we were the second highest rated 18-49 program with the Lomachenko broadcast and in fact over 50% of our audience was 18-49 where baseball was about 32%.  We think that the story that it is an old sport and old people don’t care about it, which was largely spun out by UFC years ago and I think to a certain point there was some truth to it – older demos were on premium channels – the fact is this is very positive, young, multi-cultural through the roof and we are excited to put this on this broad platform.

Is it easy to focus and do what you need to do in your homeland?

JULIUS INDONGO:  I don’t think I have an issue with the fans or the population because it is already something I am aware of.  All I have is to train and just be focused on Crawford and my game plan and do good on my preparation.
Indongo has come so far – a year ago no one knew who he was and now he is on this huge platform…

TODD duBOEF:  This is not an outlier – this is boxing.  This is what happens with boxing.  This is no different than Azumah Nelson coming over on 10 days-notice and suddenly getting in the ring and making a name for himself in the United States.  People can change the tide very quickly in the sport of boxing and that happens because of their performances and we have to recognize that his is a global sport.  This is not the Premier League or the NFL or the NBA and we are relatively isolated to a small pool.  Indongo is a very talented fighter who has probably worked his whole childhood figuring out how to master a trade.  And that’s Julius Indongo and what he did was, the door of opportunity opens and he steps through it, and that is the story of boxing.  There are countless stories like that and I think this is not a miraculous one but really goes back to what makes boxing so special.  People that take advantage of those opportunities and suddenly a diamond in the rough is discovered.

What do you have to say about this activity – this is your 4th fight in just over a year?

JULIUS INDONGO:  It really means a lot not only to me but also to my promotion where I train.  When I began they weren’t planning to produce such an event or any opportunity like this or even that matches I had back home.  It is something big and something huge and something useful and it is an appreciation for what Top Rank and Matchroom has put together and I appreciate these opportunities.

TODD duBOEF:  We have given Terence all of the accolades about how great of a fighter he is, which we all know, but I didn’t know he was an internet sensation now.  You have to talk about the Internet sensation!  I thought this was the Brian McIntyre internet sensation in the last fight from “Camp Life,” but at the press conference tomorrow you’ve got to show me your McGregor Challenge.

TERENCE CRAWFORD:  It means a lot to me being it will be the first time that all four belts will be on the line at one time in the division’s history and it has only been done twice in boxing.  I’m just ready for the moment and fight time this weekend.

Prior to Indongo’s 1st round KO in Russia, had your team ever heard of him?
TERENCE CRAWFORD:  No, we never heard of Indongo and we never saw him fight other than the fight he had in Russia.
TERENCE CRAWFORD:  Well, we wanted the Troyanovsky fight but he decided to go with Indongo so when we heard that he got knocked out, we looked at the replay and looked at the fight – that’s when we first took notice of who Indongo really was.
When he fought Ricky Burns who you are familiar with having beaten for the lightweight title, did you think you could make it happen or was it something Top Rank brought to you?

TERENCE CRAWFORD:  We wanted the Ricky Burns fight at 140 as well but they didn’t want to take the fight so they wanted to take the fight with Indongo and perhaps later on in the year we could do the fight between me and Ricky Burns again but Indongo beat Ricky Burns, that’s when we took notice and said well he’s the guy with the other two titles so let’s see if we can make a fight with him and unify.

What do you feel about him traveling anywhere to anyone’s hometown to fight for titles?
TERENCE CRAWFORD:  It shows a lot about his character and his confidence and his ability in the ring.  Him being a two-time world champion in that short amount of time shows that he has a lot of confidence but at the same time he is a little older so he’s at the end of his career coming along so he doesn’t have a lot of choices for what he wants to do.  He can’t wait around.

What do you think of Indongo as a fighter?

TERENCE CRAWFORD:  Indongo is a good fighter.  He is a good boxer – he’s got good legs and he seems like he can punch.  He doesn’t let his opponent get on the inside and do a lot of damage to him.
TODD duBOEF:  Do you find any similarities between him and Postol?
TERENCE CRAWFORD:  The only comparison I see is the height.  They have two different styles.  Postol was more straight up and down.  Indongo is a little more elusive.  I think Postol was a little more technical.  Indongo can get a little wild at times.
Do you think Postol is better than Indongo?
TERENCE CRAWFORD:  I can’t say that because I haven’t been in the ring with Indongo but I have been in the ring with Postol.  You can see from the outside but once you get in the ring with somebody it can be a totally difference look so after the fight I can tell you.

What do you think about fighting on ESPN broadening you fan base?

TERENCE CRAWFORD:  It can broaden the fan base it will give more people the opportunity to see who Terence Crawford really is.  To display my talent and my skills to more people – I am just ready for Saturday to come so I can show more people who Terence Crawford really is.

BRIAN McINTYRE:  I am just ready for us to get out there so Terence can show what he’s been working on in camp.  I want him to unify and make history and the 140-pound division.  We can also silence all of the critics that have been saying that his resume is not as good as some fighters.  Not only me but also the whole entire team is excited.  I know he is excited to, to get out there and show ESPN what everybody has been hearing – that he is a great boxer and a damn good puncher and how he can switch from both sides.  So, I am excited.  I’m excited for the kid and I’m excited for his family.  I am excited for everybody.

The winner will have all four belts, which is historic.  Will that fighter also be considered pound-for-pound champion?
TERENCE CRAWFORD:  Of course, I think I have been doing a lot in the sport of boxing and I have had my name mentioned in the top three.  I will be looking forward to being the top one, or maybe two after this fight.  It just depends on how people look at it.  In my eyes, I think I am top two already, so.
Has it been frustrating to you that you haven’t gotten credit that you deserve?
TERENCE CRAWFORD:  I try to not think about that.  I can’t worry about what the person thinks about me or says about me.  At the end of the day I’m the one that has to go in there and take the punches.  A lot of people criticize me for who I am fighting because maybe I am not their favorite fighter or maybe I am doing better than their favorite fighter, or there is a fighter that they want to see me fight and the fight doesn’t happen or it does happen then I beat them.  Then they say, ‘oh the only reason Terence won was because he is short’ or ‘he won because he was basic’ – there is always going to be an excuse with those types of people.
TODD duBOEF:  We are in a sport that gets dissected constantly by people that are haters, people that have agendas and at the end of the day when you have a kid like Terence Crawford who is brilliant in the ring, we just let the people decide what it is.  We are going to be sold out in Lincoln, Nebraska and we just did 10,000 people in New York – we are not going to chase the game of people and bloggers and things like that that want to be hating because you will never win that game.
How many will Pinnacle hold?
TODD duBOEF:  It is going to hold just over 10,000.
What are your thoughts fighting in Lincoln?
TERENCE CRAWFORD:  I am excited about it being that it’s our state capital and where the Nebraska football team plays.  It is a nice arena and I always wanted to fight in there.  They brought me down there to watch a couple of games and I was always imagining it would be a nice arena to fight in.  Everyone around there always welcomed me with open arms telling me ‘you need to come fight here, you need to come fight here.’  So I am excited that I was able to make that happen.  It’s about a 45-minute drive from Omaha.
TODD duBOEF:  Just imagine, between a 45-minute drive you’ve got Lady GaGa in Omaha and Terence Crawford in Lincoln – not a bad entertainment night in a small area.  Brian are you going to the fight or Lady GaGa?
BRYAN McINTYRE:  Well I am going to go to GaGa as soon as we knock this dude off.  I know her personally.
CARL MORETTI:  Terence is probably boxing’s most active champion at this moment.  His last defense was three months ago against Felix Diaz and he fought in December before that and June before that.  So, if you look just before he won the lightweight title it may be eight title defenses in 27 months.  I don’t think you can find a more active champion that has gotten better in the ring defending his title more than Crawford.
How important is it to be active?
TERENCE CRAWFORD:  It is very important.  I am trying to get my name out there and trying to get the recognition that I deserve.  I’m still young and in my prime.
What does it mean if Terence is able to knock out Indongo on Saturday night.

BRIAN McINTYRE:  That would be lovely – to do it in good fashion like that, you can’t ask for nothing better.  You know if you look for a knockout it’s not there.

If you win you have all of the belts – would you rather stay there or move up?
I am at 140 now and come Saturday that is my main focus is Julius Indongo.  We’ll see how the fight goes and after that double back around and see what the next move will be.

How is it when you have quick turnaround to training camp?  Is it easier?

TERENCE CRAWFORD:  Training camp is never easy.  It’s always hard but at the same time, I just had a fight and getting back into the gym and back in the groove of everything.  It’s tougher when you have a long period of time off because this time I was somewhat in shape.

It seems like you were having fun in camp.  Is that normal?

TERENCE CRAWFORD:  We like to have some fun in training camp.  Training camp is always hard work but have fun, hard work, have fun, hard work – if you don’t love what you are doing then you need to get a difference job.  We are dancing every single training camp that we had and play around – that is the different types of things that we do.  In “Camp Life” it might be the first time that people actually got to see that outer Terence Crawford.
Is that important to you to get that out?
TERENCE CRAWFORD:  It’s important for my brand but at the same time it is just I.  I am not into publicizing my every move – make a video and say, ‘oh this is what I do for a living,’ I just go with the flow.
If you consider yourself Number 2 pound for pound, who do you say is Number 1?
TERENCE CRAWFORD:  Andre Ward.
Where were you when you first saw McGregor do his warm-up?
TERENCE CRAWFORD:  I was coming from the gym and everyone was watching a video and I asked what it was, then I said I am going to try that.  A couple of days passed then I got everyone together to do the McGregor Challenge.
What’s the best response you’ve gotten since that video went up?
TERENCE CRAWFORD:  I’ve been getting all kinds of response – I have been getting hate response, prejudice response, I’ve been getting a lot of positive response.  People are telling me McGregor will beat me up.  I just laugh – we are just having fun with it.
Super Channel has recently aired major boxing events live like Brook vs. Spence Jr., Pacquiao-Horn, Eubank, Jr. vs. Abraham, and Lomachenko vs.Marriaga.
To see the “Crawford vs. Indongo” live, as well as more exciting boxing to come, fight fans in Canada can contact their local cable provider to subscribe to Super Channel and all that it offers, including premium series, movies and much more, for as low as $9.95 per month.
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AIRING LIVE IN CANADA THIS SATURDAY
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Former World Champion Shawn Porter Withdraws from Bout With Thomas Durlorme Scheduled for Mayweather vs. McGregor Preliminary Bouts on FOX & FOX Deportes

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Welterweight Contender Yordenis Ugas Replaces Porter & Will Face Former Title Challenger Dulorme
 
Saturday, Aug. 26 From T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas
FOX & FOX Deportes Begins Live at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT
Four-Fight SHOWTIME PPV Telecast Begins at 9 p.m. ET/PT
                                              
LAS VEGAS (August 17, 2017) – Former world champion and top welterweight contender “Showtime” Shawn Porter has pulled out of the welterweight battle against former title challenger Thomas Dulorme that headlines the Mayweather vs. McGregor preliminary bouts presented by Mayweather Promotions on FOX and FOX Deportes Saturday, Aug. 26 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Porter withdrew from the match due to personal reasons, which included a death in his family.
Top welterweight challenger and 2008 Olympic bronze medalist Yordenis Ugas (19-3, 9 KOs) will replace Porter and now take on Dulorme (24-2, 18 KOs) in the main preliminary bout on FOX and FOX Deportes.
“On behalf of Mayweather Promotions we send our prayers and deepest condolences to the Porter family,” said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. “In boxing we have to deal with curveballs that constantly come at us. Thomas Dulorme has been training hard and is ready to face Yordenis Ugas. Ugas is a tough competitor that shouldn’t be overlooked, and Dulorme is ready. The fight fans are definitely in for an outstanding show between Dulorme and Ugas come Aug. 26.”
“I have been training for this fight for a several weeks now, I knew at the-time Porter was going to be a tough challenger so I took training camp extremely serious,” said Dulorme. “Fighting on a card this big, you cannot doubt anyone in front of you. My new opponent doesn’t change much. All I can do is continue to stay focused and listen to my team and bring the best fight I can.”
“It’s an honor to be fighting on one of the biggest boxing cards in history and fighting in the same ring as one of the most famous boxers in the world – Floyd Mayweather,” Ugas said. “This is the type of fight that I’ve been looking forward to having since I came back last year after being off for almost three years. This will be my fifth fight in a year. And this is the second fight that I’ve taken on short notice this year. But it doesn’t bother me because I’m always training. Dulorme is a tremendous fighter. He’s very aggressive and very technical. He’s going to get my very best as I know I will get the very best from him. It’s really an honor to fight a quality opponent on a card like this.”
Saturday’s coverage begins on FOX and FOX Deportes with a one-hour Prefight Show at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT. Prelims on FOX and FOX Deportes begin at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT and leads directly into the Mayweather vs. McGregor event that will be produced and distributed by SHOWTIME PPV beginning at9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
The action on FOX and FOX Deportes will include a 10-round battle between unbeaten prospects Juan Heraldez (12-0, 8 KOs) and Jose Miguel Borrego (13-0, 12 KOs).
Representing Puerto Rico, by way of French Guiana, Dulorme last fought in January when he stopped Brian Jones in the sixth-round to pick up his second straight win after the 27-year-old had previously challenged Terrence Crawford for a vacant world title in 2015. Prior to his title opportunity, Dulorme picked up impressive victories over Hank Lundy, Karim Mayfield and DeMarcus Corley. He will look to make a statement on his way to another world title opportunity with a win against Ugas.
Ugas will enter the ring for the third time in six months when he faces Dulorme on Aug. 26. The 31-year-old Ugas, a bronze medal winner for the Cuban team in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, has been on an impressive four-fight roll that started last year when he scored a decision victory over then unbeaten Jamal James and followed it up by stopping then unbeaten Bryant Perrella in the fourth round. Ugas continued to take down contenders in 2017 as he defeated Levan Ghvamichava by decision on Feb. 2 before stepping in at the last minute two months later to stop Nelson Lara.
For more information: visit http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage, www.foxdeportes.com and www.t-mobilearena.com. Follow on Twitter @MayweatherPromo, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/foxsports,www.facebook.com/foxdeportesand www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions.
boxing

LaManna and Sosa Chime in for this Saturday’s WBC Silver Latino Welterweight title bout at The Clardige in Atlantic City

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CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING ON THE BOARDWALK!!!
Former world champion Imamu Mayfield battles Lamont Capers
Anthony Young takes on Carlos Winston Velasquez
Plus undefeated Joshafat Ortiz, Vidal Rivera, Yurik Mamedov, Emmanuel Rodriguez, Frederick Julan & Alvin Vermall, Jr.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Atlantic City, NJ (August 16, 2017)–This Saturday night, Thomas LaManna will take onGeorge Sosa in a ten-round bout for the WBC Silver Latino Welterweight bout that will headline a big 11 bout card at what is expected to be a sold out Calridge Hotel in Atlantic City.
The show, promoted by Rising Promotions, is the 9th card that will be staged before a capacity crowd.
Both main event fighters recently gave their final comments before Saturday’s showdown.
” I’m just ready to fight and I hope he is too. I encourage people to come to this action packed, stacked event. 12 bouts featuring some of the hottest prospects and a title fight,” said LaManna.
“I think LaManna is a boxer who has not fought anyone of my caliber yet, and unlike me, I have fought everyone,” said Sosa.  LaManna has been protected during his whole career,  Do I think he will be easy?  No.  There is no such thing as an easy fight.  He is his Mommy and Daddy;s baby.  When he fought somebody with caliber, he lost.”
Despite his 15-9 record, Sosa knows a win can change his whole career.
“This fight is for the WBC Silver title, and would definitely change my career.  Before I would just take fights because I needed the money to take care of my family in Cuba.  I was too busy partying, and not taking matters seriously.  Like my last fight with Anthony Young, I arrived three days before the weigh-in, and I was 21 pounds over the weight.  Not only did I make the weight, but I went the distance with a formidable opponent.  Not this timeI went directly to Cuba to begin training.”
In the eight-round feature, former cruiserweight world champion, Imamu Mayfield (26-10-2, 19 KOs) of Freehold, New Jersey battles Lamont Capers (7-10-2) of Hawley, Pennsylvania.
In six-round bouts:
Anthony “Juice” Young (17-2, 6 KO’s) of Atlantic City, NJ battles Carlos Winston Velasquez (25-29-2, 14 KOs) of Managua, Nicaragua in a welterweight bout.
Yurik Mamedov (6-0, 3 KOs) of Brooklyn. NY takes on Ariel Vasquez (12-18-2, 9 KOs) of Managua, Nicaragua in a welterweight bout.
Frederick Julan (5-0, 2 Kos) of Brooklyn, NY battles Tahlik Taylor 2-7, (1KO) of Freeport, NY in a light heavyweight battle.
Alvin Vermall, Jr. (11-0-1, 10 KOs) of Catskills, NY will take on Tracy Johnson (4-5-4) of Boston, MA in a cruiserweight affair.
In four-round bouts:
Joshafat Ortiz (1-0of Reading, PA will take on Sidell Blocker (1-8-1) of Pleasantville, NJ in a lightweight fight.
Ronald Logan (0-1) of New York, NY takes on Nahir Albright (1-1) of Philadelphia in a battle of lightweights .
Emmanuel Rodriguez (1-0) of Newark, NJ will take on pro debuting Willie Anderson of Paulsboro, NJ in a bantamweight bout.
Marcos Lugo of Vineland, NJ will make his pro debut against Tomas Romain (3-1) of Brooklyn, NY in a lightweight scrap.
Vidal Rivera (6-0, 4 KOs) of Camden, NJ will fight Weusi Johnson (2-4) of Wilmington, DE in a featherweight bout.
Tickets for this great evening of boxing are priced at $150, $125, $100, $80 and $55 and can be purchased at www.rspboxing.com

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