|
|
||||
|
||||
REGIS PROGRAIS KNOCKS OUT ABEL RAMOS IN MATCHUP OF UNBEATEN 140-POUND PROSPECTS IN MAIN EVENT OFSHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION ON SHOWTIME®
Zenunaj, Rolls and Baranchyk All Impress With Knockouts
At Bayou City Event Center In Houston;
Heavyweight Challenger Artur Szpilka Interviewed During Telecast
Click HERE To Download Photos
Photo Credit: Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME
HOUSTON (Dec. 12, 2015) – Regis Prograis dominated previously undefeated Abel Ramosen route to a ninth-round TKO in the main event of ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME on Friday at Bayou City Event Center in Houston.
Prograis (16-0, 13 KOs) was connecting at a more than 5-1 rate the last three rounds of the fight before Ramos’ corner asked referee Laurence Cole to stop the fight.
With the loss – and the previous results in the quadrupleheader – Ramos became the 139thfighter to suffer his first loss on the prospect developmental series.
Prograis was the more aggressive and effective fighter from the outset. He landed 53 percent of his power shots compared to just 28 percent for Ramos while throwing more than 250 more total punches.
Ramos (14-1-2, 9 KOs) simply couldn’t deal with Prograis’ speed and movement. At the finish, he was a bloody mess from a cut around his left eye and a gash on the top of his head and had no answer for the onslaught of punches from his undefeated opponent.
“It was an incredible fight,” Prograis said. “It was really, really tough and I didn’t think I was going to stop him, but I did. We stuck to the game plan and I am happy.
“He was really messed up. I don’t like to talk bad about my opponents, but I definitely hurt him and think that maybe they should’ve stopped it earlier. You never want to hurt anybody that bad where it can affect them in the long run.”
After the fight, Ramos complained that he wasn’t the same after the accidental head butt in the fifth that opened the gushing cut on the top of his head.
Late-replacement Dardan Zenunaj handed previously unbeaten lightweight prospect Bryant Cruz the first loss of his career after Cruz’ trainer Ronnie Shields called an end to the fight after the seventh round. Zenunaj was ahead 67-64 on the three judges’ scorecards after the seventh.
Cruz was the more active fighter, throwing 754 punches through seven rounds compared to just 555 for Zenunaj, but it was clear that Zenunaj was landing the more powerful shots.
Zenunaj (11-1, 9 KOs) knocked Cruz down midway through the fourth with a wide left hook. Cruz survived the round, but continued to eat a series of big shots to close the round. Cruz bounced back but couldn’t keep Zenunaj from picking his shots and landing damaging power punches. Zenunaj floored Cruz again with another strong blow in the final seconds of the seventh, Cruz beat the count, but Shields had seen enough and halted the fight when Cruz (16-1, 8 KOs) returned to the corner.
Zenunaj out-landed Cruz 40-24 in the seventh, the only time in the fight that he out-threw and out-landed Cruz.
“I wanted it to be a war for all of the people watching and I did it, so I’m feeling really good,” Zenunaj said. “He is really good, much stronger than I believed he would be. He hung in there, but I did the work and I won.
“Today was my first fight in the U.S. and it won’t be the last. Next year is going to be a big year for me.”
After the fight, Cruz didn’t make any excuses for the disappointing performance.
“I came in really confident that I was going to win. I had almost seven weeks of training and this guy took the fight on a week’s notice.
“I came in thinking I was going to win, but it didn’t go my way. He was a tough opponent. He came forward and hit me with some really awkward shots. He’s an awkward fighter and he hit me with different angles I hadn’t seen before. He caught me by surprise, but that’s the way that boxing is so I can’t really be too upset with myself by this loss. I will come back stronger.
“I did everything I could and gave it my all. I tried to listen to the punch list from my coach, but he just out-hustled me and I give him all the respect for that.”
In a matchup of middleweight prospects, Steve Rolls scored an impressive fourth round TKO over previously undefeated Steed Woodall. VIDEO HIGHLIGHT:http://s.sho.com/1O1bf7g
After two close rounds, Woodall knocked Rolls down midway through the third. While Rolls complained it was a slip, Woodall came out blazing after the count and legitimately hurt Rolls in the final minute of the round. Rolls (13-0, 7 KOs) came back with a vengeance in the fourth, landing nearly a dozen big right hands. With Woodall wobbling around the ring with his guard down, referee Laurence Cole stepped in to halt the contest at 2:46 of the round.
“I was prepared to do what I came here to do,” said Rolls, who landed 41 percent of his power shots. “I didn’t agree with the knockdown, but that’s the nature of boxing. That kind of stuff is going to happen and you just need to pick yourself up, collect yourself and fight on.
“I’m going to rest a bit and really just soak it in and relax.”
Woodall (8-1-1, 5 KOs) complained that the stoppage was premature.
“I didn’t agree with the stoppage,” Woodall said. “I was caught on my ear so that threw off my balance a little bit, but I was totally fine. I’m wise enough to take a knee if I wasn’t able to continue, but that wasn’t the case. I definitely feel that was a premature stoppage but I’m not a sore loser.
“Now it’s back to the drawing board. I need to sit down with my manager and get back to training camp. I know it’s soon to say this after the fact, but I’ll definitely be looking for the rematch at some point. But, for now, it’s back to the drawing board.”
In the opening bout of the telecast, Ivan Baranchyk (9-0, 8 KOs) knocked out previously undefeated Shadi Shawareb (9-1-2, 5 KOs) with a steady diet of power shots at 2:28 of the first round.
Polish southpaw Artur Szpilka was interviewed by ShoBox expert analyst Steve Farhoodduring Friday’s telecast as he prepares to challenge undefeated WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay Wilder on Saturday, Jan. 16 on SHOWTIME. During the interview, Szpilka warned Wilder that he’s coming to take his belt:
“Artur Szpilka is future heavyweight champion, future Polish champion and a wonderful person. I can’t wait, man. I can’t wait.
“I was so excited. When I was very young I dreamed that one day I would be champion, and now I have that opportunity. Thank you to the champ for giving me the chance. But you don’t see what you’re doing. This is no joke. This is no (expletive) joke.
“This is very important for Polish fans. This is when I change my story, change my life, change what people think about Polish people here. Polish people have heart, we have everything. And now I must show everyone what I want. I am so confident, you will see. I can’t wait.
“Listen, I don’t care what everyone thinks. I care what my team thinks. I care what my family, my people think.
“I’m going to kick his ass. Remember, champ, I’m going to kick your ass. Happy Holidays, champ. Do not sleep.”
The ShoBox quadrupleheader will re-air on Monday, Dec. 14 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME and will be available on SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® beginning Saturday, Dec. 12
Barry Tompkins called the ShoBox action from ringside with Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer was Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.
JENNINGS VS. ORTIZ ON HBO BOXING AFTER DARK ® TO FEATURE A FULL CARD OF EXCITEMENT AT TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO IN VERONA, NEW YORK ON DEC. 19
HBO LATINO BOXING ® CARD ADDS YURIORKIS GAMBOA VS. HYLON WILLIAMS JR. AS TELEVISED OPENER
Tickets on Sale Now!
LOS ANGELES (Dec. 11) – A full night of action awaits fans on Saturday, December 19 as heavyweight world title contender Bryant “Bye-Bye” Jennings (19-1, 10 KOs) and undefeated Cuban star Luis “The Real King Kong” Ortiz (23-0, 20 KOs) battle for the WBA interim Heavyweight World Title on HBO Boxing After Darkstaring at 10:15 p.m. ET/PT presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Gray Shaw Productions. The undercard of the event will also see three stellar undercard bouts one featuring the return of Cuban superstar Yuriorkis Gamboa (24-1, 17 KOs), as he squares off against Hylon Williams Jr. (16-1-1, 3 KOs) in a 10-round lightweight bout at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York on HBO Latino Boxing at 12:15 a.m. ET/PT (tape delay) presented in association with SMS Promotions.
Featured in off-TV bouts will be unbeaten super middleweight D’Mitrius Ballard (10-0, 7 KOs) taking on Brazilian seasoned fighter Fabiano “Pit Bull” Pena (11-3-1, 8 KOs) in a 6 to 8 – round brawl and an all-Puerto Rico 10-round clash between Manati’s Jorge “Destroyer” Melendez (28-5-1, 26 KOs) and Bayamon’s Steven Martinez (15-2, 12 KOs).
As previously mentioned, Nicholas “Axe Man” Waters (26-0, 21 KOs) battlesJason “El Canito” Sosa (18-1-3, 14 KOs) in a 10-round junior lightweight matchup as the co-main feature of the HBO Boxing After Dark portion of the televised undercard presented by Top Rank. In the HBO Latino® Boxing portion of the televised night, Cuban light heavyweight contender Yunieski Gonzalez (16-1, 12 KOs) fighting out of Miami, Florida will face the undefeated power-puncher, Vyacheslav “Lion Heart – Chigonsky” Shabranskyy (14-0, 12 KOs) of Los Angeles in a 10-round light heavyweight main event presented in association by Star Boxing. Plus, former world title contender, “King” Gabriel Rosado (21-9, 13 KOs) of Philadelphia makes his highly anticipated return to the ring against former IBF Welterweight World Champion Joshua “Grand Master” Clottey (39-4, 22 KOs) of Accra, Ghana, in a 10-round junior middleweight co-main event. The HBO Latino Boxing event will start at 12:15 a.m. ET/PT (tape delay) or immediately following the HBO Boxing After Dark telecast.
Tickets for the Dec. 19 HBO Boxing After Dark and HBO Latino Boxing event start at $25, $35 and $60 for ringside seats plus applicable fees and are available at the Turning Stone Resort Box Office by calling 315-361-7469 or online at Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com).
A 2004 Olympic Gold medalist for Cuba, Guantanamo native Yuriorkis Gamboa was one of the greatest fighters to graduate from the Cuban amateur boxing program, and he has not stopped making history as a professional. Now living in Miami, the 33-year-old Gamboa has won three world titles already, defeating the likes of Orlando Salido, Daniel Ponce de Leon and Darleys Perez. Following the lone loss of his career in a Fight of the Year candidate against Terence Crawford in June of 2014, Gamboa bounced back with a technical knockout of Joel Montes de Oca five months later, and now he makes his return to the ring on December 19.
Houston’s Hylon Williams Jr. was a decorated amateur himself, winning National PAL and National Golden Gloves titles while also securing a spot as an alternate on the 2008 United States Olympic team. As a pro, “Lil’ Ced” has won all but two of his pro bouts, with his most recent draw against Jason Litzau in August coming after a nearly three-year layoff. On December 19, he gets a chance to make a statement to the boxing world if he can defeat Gamboa.
Blasting through all comers at super middleweight, Washington, D.C.’s D’Mitrius Ballard is one of the top prospects from a region of the United States that is producing more world-class fighters than any other these days. Showing his ability to box as well as bang in recent victories over Josue Ovando and Juan Carlos Rojas, the 22-year-old Ballard is looking to end the year with a knockout when he faces an opponent to be determined in a six-round bout.
Fabiano Pena of Los Angeles has accumulated an impressive record of eleven victories since his professional debut in Balneario Rincao, Santa Catarina, Brazil in February of 2013, where he went on to claim the vacant Brazilian cruiserweight title against Lourival Luiz Da Silva that same year. He made his U.S. debut in 2014 boasting a win against Dave Valykeo at the Wheeling Island Casino Racetrack in Wheeling, West Virginia, and hit a rocky patch with one win and three loses in 2015. Pena will seek redemption as he takes on an evenly matched opponent in D’Mitrius Ballard.
A power puncher who delivers the knockouts Puerto Rican fight fans love, 26-year-old Jorge “The Destroyer” Melendez has won several regional titles over the years, but after snapping a two-fight losing streak with a 68-second finish of Antonio Rodriguez in June, the Manati native is firmly focused on finishing 2015 with another win and beginning his quest for world title honors in 2016.
Owner of wins in four of his last five bouts, Steven Martinez packs fight-stopping power in his fists, and with nine of his 12 knockouts coming in three rounds or less, he will be hoping to make short work of Melendez in this battle for Puerto Rican pride. But more importantly, with a victory over this veteran contender, the 25-year-old Martinez can start to make his move up the divisional ladder.
Tickets for the Dec. 19 HBO Boxing After Dark and HBO Latino Boxing event start at $25, $35 and $60 for ringside seats plus applicable fees and are available at the Turning Stone Resort Box Office by calling 315-361-7469 or online at Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com).
Jennings vs. Ortiz is a 12-round heavyweight bout fight for the WBA Interim Heavyweight Title presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Gary Shaw Productions and is sponsored by Corona, Mexico – Live It to Belive It! and Carmelita Chorizo. Walters vs. Sosa is a 10-round junior lightweight bout presented by Top Rank in association with Peltz Boxing Promotions and Warriors Boxing Promotions. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. ET and first fight begins at 6:05 p.m. ET, and the HBO Boxing After Dark telecast begins live at 10:15 p.m. ET/PT.
Gonzalez vs. Shabranskyy, is a 10-round light heavyweight bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Star Boxing. The HBO Latino Boxing telecast begins at 12:15 a.m. ET/PT (tape delay).
Host of the event, the Oneida Nation’s Turning Stone Resort Casino continues to distinguish itself as a premier destination for blockbuster boxing matches. TheDecember 19 fight will mark Turning Stone Resort Casino’s 16th nationally-televised boxing event in three years, cementing the resort as a mecca for knockout televised fights. Located in Upstate New York, the destination resort offers world-class entertainment and gaming, award-winning accommodations, a diverse mix of restaurants, two luxury spas and several nightlife options.
Professional media requesting credentials for the December 19 fight must contact Kelly Abdo, Turning Stone Resort Casino Public Relations Manager at (315) 366.9291 or kelly.abdo@turningstone.com.
For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com,www.grayshawproductions.com, www.toprank.com,www.hbo.com/
After thrilling win, LaManna & Rising Boxing Promotions build towards future
|
Rising Boxing Promotions stages terrific first show
|
|
ATLANTIC CITY (DECEMBER 11, 2015)–Last Saturday night, Thomas LaManna made a successful voyage into the welterweight division by hammering out an 8-round unanimous decision over Ariel Vasquez at the Claridge Hotel in Atlantic City.
The card was presented in front of an enthusiastic crowd at the The near-sold out Claridge, which featured an In-Arena host and provided giveaways to the crowd throughout the evening.
Rising Star Promotions fight cards strive to be more fan friendly and interactive in and and out of the ring.
The success of the fights, both in the ring and at the box office already has the shore community eager for the next installment of Rising Boxing Promotions, which is tentatively scheduled for February 20th.
“The Claridge Hotel was very pleased with the quality of fights and the attendance on Saturday, ” Said Debbie LaManna of Rising Boxing Promotions. “Our mission with the promotion is to have good and competitive fights that will have the crowd excited throughout the night We had some in-house entertainment that had the crowd involved as well. I think we accomplished everything we set out to do and it is a great building block for our February show.”
LaManna used a diverse arsenal of punches as featured body work, jabs and a good straight hand at various points of the fight. LaManna showed grit as Vasquez was game by occasionally sneaking in a straight left that the bigger LaManna was able to walk through. The only blemish for LaManna was that he was deducted a point for low blows in round four but he was able to by scores of 79-72 twice and 78-73. LaManna, 148 lbs of Millville, NJ is 19-1. Vasquez, 144 lbs of Managua, Nicaragua is 12-12-2.
In the 6-round Heavyweight co-feature, Willis Lockett was able to win a 6-round unanimous decision over John Lennox. Lockett won the bout on the strength of landing a series of flush right hands that looked good but never hurt Lennox. Lennox was more active at times and got in some telling blows but it was not enough as Lockett won by scores of 59-55 twice and 58-56. Lockett is now 14-14-4. Lennox is 13-4. Quian Davis made short work of Santario Holdbrooks in a scheduled four-round Heavyweight bout. Davis was all over Holdbrooks from the opening bell and the fight lasted just 26 seconds. Davis is 1-0-1 with 1 knockout. Holdbrooks is 0-3. Alshamar Johnson and Villi Bello fought to an entertaining 4-round draw in a Middleweight bout. Both guys took turns being the boss in the fight and the rounds were close and featured plenty of toe to toe action. Each fighter took a a card at 39-37. One card read even at 38-38. Bello is 3-1-1. Johnson is 1-1-1. The opening bout saw debuting Ecuadorian Luis Perozo score a 1st round stoppage over Davonta Steele in a scheduled 4-round Jr. Welterweight bout. Perozo, who now resides in Queens, New York dropped Steele from a body shot and the fight was stopped at 2:11. Perozo was making his pro debut. Steele of Concord, NC is 0-2. The show was promoted by Rising Boxing Promotions in association with Vincent M. Ponte’s Gulfstream Promotions Facebook.com/risingstarboxing
Instagram: @risingpromo
|
SHOWTIME® UNVEILS SATURDAY’S MIDDLEWEIGHT MAIN EVENT IN 360 VIDEO, WHERE UNDERDOG DANIEL JACOBS KNOCKED OUT PREVIOUSLY UNDEFEATED PETER QUILLIN
Viewers Can Watch The All-Brooklyn Showdown In Virtual Reality On Multiple Platforms
Photos: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME
NEW YORK, NY – December 8, 2015 – For the first time ever, a boxing match has been released in its entirety in 360 degree immersive virtual reality, as SHOWTIME captured the shocking first round TKO from Saturday night’s main event between WBA Middleweight World Champion Daniel Jacobs’ and previously undefeated challenger Peter Quillin. The all-Brooklyn main event has been made available in 360 video from ring-side, giving fans an unprecedented boxing experience. The virtual reality video engrosses viewers in the matchup of the top middleweights, facing off in the prime of their career, where Brooklyn’s Jacobs (31-1, 28 KOs) won the “Battle For Brooklyn.” The 360 footage is viewable on the SHOWTIME Sports’ YouTube channel*, the SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook page, on the Samsung Gear VR via the MILK VR app and Littlestar VR apps for Samsung Gear VR, iOS and Android.
The telecast is currently available On Demand, on SHOWTIME ANYTIME® and on the SHOWTIME streaming service. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING event happened live on SHOWTIME on Saturday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. One minute into the fight, Jacobs landed a straight right to Quillin’s temple and pounced with an onslaught of punches while his opponent was against the ropes. Quillin stumbled forward and referee Harvey Dock looked in Quillin’s eyes and halted the fight without the challenger ever touching the canvas.
The executive producer of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is David Dinkins Jr. with Bob Dunphy directing. Barclays Center’s BROOKLYN BOXING™ programming platform is presented by AARP. For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @DanielJacobsTKO, @KidChocolate, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports.
SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION FINAL WEIGHTS, QUOTES & PHOTOS FOR QUADRUPLEHEADER TOMORROW/FRIDAY LIVE ON SHOWTIME®
Local Favorite Regis Prograis Headlines Against
Fellow Top Prospect Abel Ramos in Main Event
From Bayou City Event Center In Houston
Click HERE For Photos From Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME
HOUSTON (Dec. 10, 2015) – Eight fighters, including seven undefeated prospects, with a combined record of 92-1-5, weighed-in Thursday for the ShoBox: The New Generationquadrupleheader taking place tomorrow/Friday, live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT) from Bayou City Event Center in Houston.
Headlining the DiBella Entertainment- and Savarese Promotions-promoted event will be talented local prospect Regis Prograis (15-0, 12 KOs), who faces fellow unbeaten Abel Ramos (14-0-2, 9 KOs) in the 10-round super lightweight main event.
In the co-feature, Bryant Cruz (16-0, 8 KOs) takes on Belgium’s Dardan Zenunaj (10-1, 8 KOs) in an eight-round lightweight bout.
Rounding out the telecast, Steed Woodall (8-0-1, 5 KOs) and Steve Rolls (12-0, 6 KOs) clash in an eight-round middleweight match, and fast-rising Ivan Baranchyk (8-0, 7 KOs) faces Shadi Shawareb (9-0-2, 5 KOs) in an eight-round super lightweight match.
OFFICIAL WEIGHTS:
Super Lightweights Main Event – 10 Rounds
Regis Prograis – 140 Pounds
Abel Ramos – 139 Pounds
Lightweights Co-Feature – 8 Rounds
Bryant Cruz – 132¾ Pounds
Dardan Zenunaj – 131½ Pounds
Middleweights – 8 Rounds
Steed Woodall – 159¼ Pounds
Steve Rolls – 159½ Pounds
Super Lightweights – 8 Rounds
Ivan Baranchyk – 139¼ Pounds
Shadi Shawareb – 141¾ Pounds
FINAL QUOTES:
REGIS PROGRAIS:
“He’s a tougher opponent than the guys I’ve faced, and a bigger guy, but I’m coming to win.
“I’ve been living in Houston fighting those rugged Mexican fighters for the last 10 years. I know how to fight tough guys like that. I know what he’s bringing.
“I didn’t get the knockout [against Amos Cowart], which is what I wanted, but I did land a lot of punches.
“I think if I hurt Ramos early I’ll be able to take him out, but I feel that he won’t hurt me.
“I have a lot of people coming out from New Orleans. I’m not worried about the crowd – I’m here to do what I have to do.
“We can fight on the inside and pound it out or fight on the outside. We’re ready for anything.”
ABEL RAMOS:
“I don’t feel like I’m coming in as the underdog at all. I have much more amateur experience and I have more of an edge over him.
“This time you’re going to see the real Abel Ramos. I’m feeling really good. I’m prepared and conditioned. You’re going to see a little bit of everything in the ring on Friday.
“He’s [Prograis] a very busy guy in the ring and throws a lot of punches but we will see how we handle it in the ring.
“I know he throws a lot of punches and I believe I can do the same but better. He throws a lot, but they’re not effective. Going anywhere from eight to 10 rounds, I have an advantage to wear him down.
“I want to dedicate this fight to my cousin Margarito Camacho who passed away of a heart attack this Monday at only 43 years old.”
BRYANT CRUZ:
“I’ve been living here [Houston] and training here. I’m trained by the best with Ronnie (Shields) and I’ve learned a lot from him. I’m getting a lot of attention with him as my trainer and I’m getting to learn much more about myself as a fighter and my technique.
“Of course I believe there’s always more to learn and with a trainer like Ronnie I’ve gained much more confidence. I feel the difference improving my technique.
“Sometimes I just have the instinct [to get aggressive] and I want to go at it and put the pressure on to really please the crowd.
“He’s [Dardan] not hard to look for and he likes to come forward. I know he will be right in front of me and I know what to look for there.
“I’m a New York guy, so here in Houston I am a little bit out of my element, but I do have some people from back home coming out to support me. I am going to go out there and go for it.
“I want to put on a good show but I’m also going to be a smart fighter and go in with my game plan to do what I came here to do.
“I knew I was serious about boxing after my first time sparring. I got beat up and I knew I couldn’t just give the guy that. After that, I stopped partying, stopped drinking and started running and training. When I went back I knew I was ready to beat him and I did.
“Since I started, I haven’t missed a single day in the gym; even when I’m not training for a fight I’m always training and refuse to miss a day in the gym.”
DARDAN ZENUNAJ:
“Moving to Oxnard to work with Robert (Garcia) has been a big step in my career. I’ve sparred with (Vasyl) Lomachenko, Mikey (Garcia), (Jesus) Cuellar, Brandon Rios, some of the best fighters in boxing.
“I spared with Lomachenko for four weeks for his last fight.
“This is my first fight after moving to Oxnard so we are excited to show what we have been working on, show how we’ve improved.
“I took this fight on short notice, but we’ve been working in the gym. This is a good opportunity for us. This is the fight we’ve been waiting for. He’s undefeated but beatable.
“I wasn’t worried because I was only about four pounds off-weight.
“I’m the type of guy who wants to fight the toughest fights.
“I knew that if I wanted to make a real name for myself in boxing I would have to go after it myself. I knew I would have to come to America for I wanted to accomplish.
“I have watched Cruz and I know the way he fights. It’s all mental. I have that drive – I’d die in the ring. I’ve seen Cruz and he doesn’t have that.”
STEED WOODALL:
“We’ve been working with Ronnie Shields for about five months now, sparring with Jermall Charlo and Edwin Rodriguez. Having those guys around is a great experience. I’m always in competition with them, pushing myself to the limit and learning from them.
“I have a naturally aggressive approach, even when I started as an amateur at 14 years-old. Now I am working off different approaches and know that I just need to let my hands go. Ronnie is putting the finishing touches on me.
“Through training I’ve learned different approaches with my style. Different guys come in and with each of the different fights I learn different styles. I am always in competition to learn more and I am always training.
“I want to show the judges and the fans how much this fight means to me. I am going to be aggressive but will be fighting intelligently as well.
“This is a pivotal fight for me because I’ve been alone in most of my fights, but this time by mom will be here along with my brother, sister and brother-in-law. My mom is my biggest inspiration and to have her here means the world to me.”
STEVE ROLLS:
“He’s a young hungry guy that is coming to fight. I’m not taking him lightly. This is definitely the toughest fight for both of us.
“I feel great. I have had six to eight weeks of training and I feel great and ready.
“I’ve watched a little bit [of Woodall] and learned about him. He looks aggressive and has a good amateur background, as do I.
“I let my trainers watch the fight footage and I just see whatever I need to see. I love to capitalize on my opponent’s mistakes.
“I feel better than ever. During running and training I feel much better than when I was in my twenties. Regardless of my age, I still feel that I haven’t even reached my prime.
“Now, as a fighter, I am much more confident and more relaxed with my strategy.
“I’ve been waiting for this opportunity to fight on national TV against an undefeated guy. This is my big shot.”
IVAN BARANCHYK:
“I have been training very hard for this fight. This opportunity is what I have been working so hard for.
“As a young, motivated fighter, I want to continue to improve and never stop working towards getting better every day.
“When I first started training, even as an amateur, I realized the potential and the impact of my power punch.
“I do not stop training. I am extremely motivated and will keep working harder than anybody else to get where I want to be.”
SHADI SHAWAREB:
“I am not worried that I took the fight on short notice. I stay prepared and I have been in the gym staying in good shape.
“I am always busy. When I’m not working, I’m in the gym training.
“I know I need to mix it up, get inside and outside. I’m going to throw out a little bit of everything.”
# # #
About ShoBox: The New Generation
Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 65 fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Omar Figueroa, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more.
Fight Network Presents ONE: Spirit of Champions & RFA 33 LIVE this Friday, Dec. 11
|
||||||||
|
QUOTES & PHOTOS FROM DANNY GARCIA AND ROBERT GUERRERO PRESS CONFERENCE IN ADVANCE OF PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON FOX & FOX DEPORTES SHOWDOWN ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 23 AT STAPLES CENTER IN LOS ANGELES
|
|||||
|
PBC ON NBC & NBCSN FIGHTERS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES & PHOTOS
|
|||||
|
Fight Network is Destination for Live UFC Fight Week Action & Coverage, Including UFC Fight Night: Namajunas vs. VanZant Main Card
|
TORONTO (December 9, 2015) — Fight Network, the world’s premier 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, is the destination for live UFC fight week pre and post-fight coverage, including the live main card for UFC Fight Night™: Namajunas vs. VanZant and the live prelims for The Ultimate Fighter Finale: Team McGregor vs. Team Faber, both airing exclusively in Canada. Fight Network is currently available in free preview on most carriers across Canada for the month of December.
It all kicks off on Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 4 p.m. ET with a live presentation of the UFC 194: Aldo vs. McGregor pre-fight press conference from Las Vegas.
On Thursday, Dec. 10 at 5 p.m. ET, Fight Network presents the live weigh-ins for The Ultimate Fighter Finale: Team McGregor vs. Team Faber, as headliners Frankie Edgar and Chad Mendes tip the scales ahead of their pivotal featherweight showdown.
Later at 9 p.m. ET, Fight Network presents a live pre-show for UFC Fight Night™: Namajunas vs. VanZant, leading into the live main card at 10 p.m. ET exclusively in Canada. In the main event, No. 3-ranked women’s strawweight contender Rose Namajunas (4-2) battles surging superstar and No. 7-ranked Paige VanZant. (6-1). In the co-feature, No. 14-ranked lightweight veteran Jim Miller(25-6, 1NC) looks to continue his ascent up the rankings against The Ultimate Fighter Live winnerMichael Chiesa (12-2). Rounding out the card, highly touted lightweight youngster Sage Northcutt(6-0) tries to keep his perfect record intact against Cody Pfister (12-4-1), while Canada’s undefeatedUltimate Fighter Nations middleweight winner Elias Theodorou (11-0) faces his toughest test to date against Brazilian Thiago “Marreta” Santos (11-3). Fight Network will also televise the live post-fight press conference, which begins shortly after the event concludes.
On Friday, Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. ET, the UFC 194: Aldo vs. McGregor weigh-ins will be televised live from Las Vegas with Jose Aldo and Conor McGregor going face-to-face one final time ahead ofSaturday’s blockbuster clash for the undisputed UFC featherweight championship.
Immediately following the live weigh-ins, Fight Network presents a live pre-show for The Ultimate Fighter Finale: Team McGregor vs. Team Faber at 7 p.m. ET, which serves as a lead-in to thelive prelims at 8 p.m. ET exclusively in Canada. The main card will air at 10 p.m. ET on TSN1 and TSN5. Featured prelims include heavyweights Gabriel Gonzaga (16-10) vs. Konstantin Erokhin (9-2), featherweights Tatsuya Kawajiri (34-8-2) vs. Jason Knight (16-1) and flyweights Joby Sanchez(7-1) vs. Geane Herrera (8-1). Fight Network will also televise the live post-fight press conference, which begins shortly after the event concludes.
The action-packed fight week comes to a climax on Saturday, Dec. 12. At 2 p.m. ET, Fight Network presents an encore of UFC 189: Mendes vs. McGregor from July 2015, which featured Conor McGregor‘s memorable performance against Chad Mendes to capture the interim UFC featherweight title, plus a top candidate for “Fight of the Year” between Robbie Lawler and Rory MacDonald for the UFC welterweight title. The event is widely regarded as one of the best in promotional history.
At 7 p.m. ET, Fight Network presents a live pre-show for UFC 194: Aldo vs. McGregor, which features previews, predictions and analysis for the event, as well as on-the-scene reports from Las Vegas. Immediately following the pay-per-view broadcast, Fight Network presents a live post-showat approximately 1 a.m. ET, including highlights, reactions and the live post-fight press conference from Las Vegas.
All pre and post-fight shows will include exclusive interviews from Fight Network analysts JohnRamdeen and Robin Black on-site in Las Vegas, plus reports and analysis from Fight Network studios in Toronto. Canadian mixed martial arts pioneer and longtime UFC veteran Sam Stout will be in-studio for the live UFC 194 pre and post-fight shows.
Airing throughout the week, catch the one-hour UFC Embedded: Aldo vs. McGregor special, an all-access, behind-the-scenes look at the lives and training camps of four elite fighters leading up to the massive UFC 194 event in Las Vegas. Additional reports and features air daily in Fight News Now. All airings are listed at www.fightnetwork.com.
In addition to all the live events, Fight Network is the destination for UFC library content, specials and series, including UFC Unleashed, UFC Now, UFC Ultimate Insider and classic UFC PPV events.
This Sunday, Dec. 13 at 9 p.m. ET, catch a full encore presentation of UFC 126: Silva vs. Belfortfrom February 2011 in Las Vegas, which featured a highly anticipated middleweight title showdown between then-torchbearer Anderson Silva and No. 1 contender Vitor Belfort, plus Forrest Griffinvs. Rich Franklin and Jon Jones vs. Ryan Bader.
For a full listing of Fight Network’s broadcast schedule, please visit www.fightnetwork.com, follow us on Twitter @fightnet, become a fan on Facebook and visit us on Instagram @fightnet.
|