boxing, Showtime Boxing

DANIEL JACOBS & PETER QUILLIN CONDUCT PREGAME PLAYER INTRODUCTIONS AT TUESDAY’S BROOKLYN NETS GAME AT BARCLAYS CENTER

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Quillin & Floyd Mayweather Pose Court Side
 

 

 
Click HERE To Watch Video Of Player Intros
 
Click HERE To Download Photos of Jacobs & Quillin
Photo Credit: Barclays Center
 
Click HERE To Download Photos of Mayweather & Quillin
Photo Credit: Anthony Causi
 
BROOKLYN (December 2, 2015) – Before they enter the ring at Barclays Center, Daniel “The Miracle Man” Jacobs and Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin took center stage at the arena in Brooklyn as they conducted the pregame player introductions of the Brooklyn Nets before their win Tuesday night against the Phoenix Suns.
In addition, recently retired pound-for-pound king Floyd “Money” Mayweather was in attendance and posed with his fellow Grand Rapids born fighter in Quillin.
The two charismatic young fighters will square off for Jacobs’ WBA Middleweight World Title this Saturday, December 5 as the headlining attraction live on SHOWTIME. Preceding the Jacobs-Quillin all-Brooklyn battle is exciting, hard-hitting WBA Featherweight World Champion Jesus Cuellar (27-1, 21 KOs) as he defends against Puerto Rico’s Jonathan “Polvo” Oquendo (26-4, 16 KOs) in the 12-round semi-main.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, start at $50, not including applicable fees, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com,www.barclayscenter.comor by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center.
boxing

Undefeated Super Bantamweight Adam Lopez to take on former world champion Erik Aiken on December 12th in San Antonio, Texas

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San Antonio, Texas (December 2, 2015) – Undefeated Super Bantamweight Adam Lopez (13-0, 6 KO’s) returns to the ring on Saturday, December 12th at the AT&T Center in his native San Antonio when he takes on former world champion Erik Aiken in a bout scheduled for 6-rounds.
Lopez, who is ranked number-eight by the WBA on the strength of his wins over undefeated fighters Pablo Cruz and Eliecer Aquino on ShoBox: The New Generation.
 
“Everything is good and I have been getting ready,”said Lopez.  “It is very nice to be fighting in San Antonio and also be fighting on my birthday.  It could not be any better as the arena is about a mile from my home and its the perfect ending to my year”
Lopez will turn 25 on the day of the fight and he wants to continue to the momentum of a strong 2015.
“This has been the best year as a pro.  I got the two big wins on ShoBox and have picked up regional titles that should have me ranked in the organizations.  I wish it would have happened sooner, but better late than never!”
In Aiken, he is taking on a veteran who has been out of the ring, but he is a former world Featherweight champion, who has wins over Tim Austin and his title winning effort over Valdemir Pereira.
“I do not know much about Aiken, but I can not underestimate anybody, especially if they have been a world champion.”
“I want to look impressive on December 12th and have a great 2016.  I am hoping for bigger opportunities.  I am looking to headline a ShoBox card in February.  By the end of 2016, I see myself as a top contender, if not a world champion, but first I am looking to close out the year by looking impressive in front of all my family and friends in San Antonio and have a great celebration for my birthday.”
Said Lopez’promoter Vito Mielnicki of GH3 Promotions, “This has been a great year for Adam.  He had two breakthrough performances in different ways.  He scored the big knockout over Cruz and then he showed a lot of heart and different aspects of his game in the win over Aquino.   Aiken is a good name, who is a former world champion and when he gets by this fight, i expect him to be on the cusp of a world title by this time next year.”
GH3 Promotions features undefeated Middleweight Antoine Douglas, Super Middleweight’s Jerry Odom & Derrick Webster, undefeated Super Bantamweight Adam Lopez as well as Boxcino 2015 Jr. Middleweight Champion John Thompson, Jr., undefeated Welterweight’s Hector Frometa, Jerrell Harris & Keenan Smith, Light Heavyweight Lavarn Harvell, Jr. Lightweight O’Shanique Foster & Super Middleweight Andrew Hernandez to the GH3 Promotions stable.
boxing

PINOLERO BOXING OFFERS “GRUDGE MATCH” THIS WEEKEND IN NICARAGUA

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For Immediate Release
Christopher Rosales (R), the cousin of pound-for-pound king Roman “Chocolito” Gonzalez, will be in action once again this Saturday in Nicaragua
MANAGUA, Nicaragua (December 2, 2015) — Prolific Nicaraguan promoter Marcelo Sanchez‘ Pinolero Boxing offers up another superb fight card this Saturday, Dec. 5, following on the heels of its 100th boxing promotion show.
Highlighting the fight card is a rubber match between 21-year-old Nicaraguan prospect Junior Ramirez (13-1, 9 KOs) versus David Bency.  Ramirez is the World Boxing Youth Silver Super Lightweight Champion who was undefeated and scheduled to defend his title last month in Monte Carlo. However, he was upset by a fighter he had previously beaten, Bency, in their rematch.
Also fighting on the card is No. 1 ranked Nicaraguan bantamweight Dixon Flores (11-3-2), who recently accepted the challenge to fight sensational Mexican champion Carlos Cuadras (32-0-1), and he now hopes to rebound and continue moving forward.  His opponent will be undefeated 20-year-old Jose Perez (16-0, 13 KOs), the No. 1 rated super flyweight in Nicaragua, in what promises to be an explosive fight.
Also fighting on the eight-bout card is superstar Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez‘ cousin, fellow NicaraguanChristopher Rosales (15-2, 11 KOs).  The 21-year-old Gonzalez faces Martin Diaz (8-3-1) as he rises in the rankings after losing a hotly contested, close decision to undefeated Khalid Yafai (17-0, 11 KOs) in the United Kingdom.  Rosales is currently ranked No. 10 in the world, No. 1 in Nicaragua.
“Marcelo (Pinolero Boxing) continues to offer a steady flow of intriguing fight cards like this Saturday’s, as does his Central American Panamanian neighbor, Rogelio Espino, of Promociones y Eventos del Istmo,” Pinolero Boxing spokesperson Michael Schmidt commented. “It is apparent that young championship-caliber fighters such as Ramirez, Flores, and Rosales are more than prepared to step up and accept challenges.  They’re all in their early twenties with each having had 14 or more battle-hardened fights.  They continue to move up in the rankings while gaining the necessary experience to add to Nicaraguan’s storied history of championship fighters.”
“We thank all of our associates who work with us to help us promote these types of intriguing fight cards,” Sanchez added.  “This Saturday will be another exciting night of boxing.”
boxing, fantasy sports

$2000 Throwdown Fantasy Boxing Jacobs vs. Quillin headlines new game & Return of Head-to-Head games

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For Immediate Release
NEW YORK (December 1, 2015) – Head-to-head games, allowing players to go 1-on-1 to either up the chances of winning or settling a score, returns for the next $2,000Throwdown Fantasy Boxing Game, online at www.ThrowdownFantasy.com, powered byCompuBox.
 

 
The much anticipated middleweight showdown between defending world champion Danny Jacobs and former 160-pound division titlist Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin headlines the new Throwdown Fantasy Boxing Game.  Jacobs ($5100) is favored over Quillin ($4700) because the former is younger, bigger and hits equally hard.  Both are dangerous punchers but Quillin has proven to have the superior whiskers.
The most prohibitive favorite in this game is Regis Prograis ($5800) versus underdogAbel Ramos ($4000).  Prograis is a rising star whose boxing skills are far superior to always tough Abel Ramos ($4000)
Another heavy favorite is Fedor Chudinov ($5600) over aging former world championFelix Sturm ($4300).  Not only has Chudinov already defeated Sturm, he’s also younger, quicker and fresher.
Crafty southpaw Jesus Cuellar ($5400) has size and power advantages againstJonathan Oquendo ($4300).  Cuellar figures to catch Oquendo after a few feeling-out rounds.
Former world champion Chris Algieri ($5000) may have lost his last two fights, but they were to Manny Pacquiao and Amir Khan.  Algieri’s aggressive style and experience should prove to be the difference against Erick Bone ($4300).
The best fight of the week may be between young, crowd-pleasing Omar Figueroa($5000) and veteran Antonio DeMarco ($4200).  The aggressive Figueroa must control the pace against DeMarco, whose best days appear to be behind him.
A heavyweight pick-em features a pair of potential future world title challengers in Dominic Breazeale ($4800) and Charles Martin ($4700).  The big punching, tough Breazeale has holes in his game that he’s been able to overcome against smaller opponents.  Martin, however, is a live ‘dog with the same size as Breazeale and equal power.  Plus, he’s a lefty.
Another heavyweight class finds a fading Chris Arreola ($4800) fighting Travis Kauffman($4500), who is moving up in clash in terms of quality of opponent.  Weight is always an issue with Arreola, which effects his ability to throw punches in bunches.  Kauffman wants to push the pace versus Arreola, taking him into deep water but winning rounds along the way.
There are three easy ways to play Throwdown Fantasy: 1. Select five fighters from the game group, using the $25,000 salary cap (see above); 2. Then track scoring in real time, earning points for wins, knockouts and CompuBox statistics (see example chart below); 3. Scoring the most points wins. Most games last a full week and each has multiple winners.
Fighters receive points based for how they perform, rewarding each style of boxing, andCompuBox fight statistics are available for research at www.ThrowdownFantasy.com.

New players who sign up now receive FREE entry into Throwdown Fantasy Boxing’s monthly Freeroll game.  Throwdown Fantasy also provides a $250 free roll that players may enter using Throwdown Points (3 free entire upon registration) and $25.00 free game. Signing up and playing is free. People have the opportunity to register and play for free and then move onto paid games.
INFORMATION:
Twitter:  @Throwdownfan
Instagram: @throwdownfantasyboxing
Combate Americas, mixed martial arts, MMA

COMBATE AMERICAS HITS HOLLYWOOD!

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First U.S. Hispanic MMA franchise brings live televised
“Road To The Championship” fight series to Los Angeles on Wednesday, Dec. 16

“Sexy Mexy” faces “Kiko” Lopez in bantamweight main event
Ricky Palacios battles Anthony Paredes in bantamweight co-main event

Kyra Batara squares off with Liz McCarthy in women’s atomweight action

Live, four-fight NBC UNIVERSO telecast begins at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT

Tickets on sale now

NEW YORK – December 1, 2015 – Combate Americas, the first-ever U.S. Hispanic Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sports franchise founded by Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) co-creator Campbell McLaren, today announced that it will make its debut in Los Angeles, Calif. with a stellar, nine-bout fight card at Florentine Gardens, live on NBC UNIVERSO, the modern entertainment and sports cable channel for Latinos, on Wednesday, Dec. 16 at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT.

“This event represents Combate Americas coming of age, and presenting a lineup that is second to none with a collection of the brightest up-and-coming Hispanic fighters in the U.S.,” said McLaren.

Priced from $40, tickets for “Premier Insurance Services and Aspira Mas Present Combate Americas: Road To The Championship Hollywood,” are on sale atwww.HollywoodFightNight.com.

In the bantamweight (135 pounds) main event of the live, four-fight telecast on NBC Universo, John “Sexy Mexy” Castaneda, fresh off his victory at the inaugural “Combate Americas: Road To The Championship” event in Las Vegas, Nev. on September 17, will square off with fellow striking sensation Federico “Kiko” Lopez.

The 23-year-old Castaneda (8-2), a seasoned striker who hails from Mankato, Minn., earned his third consecutive victory in the form of a unanimous decision over Justin Governale in the Combate Americas cage.

A 31-year-old member of Team Quest, Lopez (10-5) of Murrieta, Calif. is riding a five fight win streak, with four of those victories having come by way of either (T)KO or submission.

In the bantamweight co-main event, Combate Americas reality television series star and power puncher Ricky “El Gallero” Palacios will square off with dangerous scrapper Anthony Paredes of Murrieta.

Palacios (5-1), a 28-year-old resident of Mission, Texas who also boasts an unblemished professional boxing record of 2-0-1, scored a thunderous, first round (1:00) KO on Benji Gomez with a head kick at the “Combate Americas: Road To The Championship” event on September 17, while the 26-year-old Paredes, another member of Team Quest, is looking to return to the win column after suffering a loss in July that snapped a two-fight win streak.

In a featured women’s atomweight (105 pounds) attraction on the live telecast,Kyra “Mogwai” Batara will collide with “Lightning Liz McCarthy.

Fighting out of Las Vegas, Batara (3-3) is a 21-year-old protégé of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu guru Eddie Bravo.  During the “Combate Americas: Road To The Championship” event in Las Vegas, Batara pulled off a stunning upset win via unanimous decision over Nicdali Rivera-Calanoc, a former world championship challenger with five times as many professional bouts as Batara.

The 29-year-old McCarthy (2-3), also fighting out of Las Vegas, is a four-time veteran of Invicta FC, the world’s premier all-women’s MMA league.   Prior to her professional debut at Invicta FC 2 where she defeated Jessica Philippus by way of first round (5:00) TKO (doctor stoppage) on July 28, 2012, McCarthy amassed a perfect, 6-0 record as an amateur.

The live NBC UNIVERSO telecast will kick off with a featherweight (145 pounds) matchup between Urijah Faber protégé and prolific finisher Erick Sanchez (5-2) of Sacramento, Calif. and fellow rising star “Ruthless” Rudy Morales (3-3) of Las Vegas.

The complete, five-bout preliminary card for “Combate Americas: Road To The Championship Hollywood” will be announced soon.

Doors at Florentine Gardens open at 5 p.m. PT for the event, and the first preliminary bout will begin at 6 p.m.
boxing

Kevin Dever Sports Management signs Undefeated Cuban light heavyweight Luis Garcia

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(L-R – Kevin Dever, Luis Garcia and Patrick Brown)
PEEKSKILL, N.Y. (December 1, 2015) – Kevin Dever Sports Management has announced the signing of undefeated Cuban light heavyweight prospect Luis “The Lion” Garcia to an exclusive managerial contract.
Nearly eight years ago,Garcia (12-0, 9 KOs) defected from Cuba to Mexico with fellow boxer Alexei Acosta.  Garcia (12-0, 9 KOs), who settled in Cork, Ireland, made his professional debut in 2008.  He now lives in Peekskill, New York.
“It was a bigger change when I moved to Ireland than it was six weeks ago when I moved here,” the 28-year-old Garcia explained.  “It was a lot harder in Ireland because I didn’t speak a word of English.  I learned English from the street, watching TV and reading.  It’s not a big change for me to move around because I traveled all over the world when I was a member of the Cuban National Team.”
Garcia hasn’t fought in nearly four years due to previous managerial issues, but his scheduled return is this Saturday night, December 5, against an opponent to be determined in a six-round bout at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.  His last fight was a win by eight-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated (12-0) Alexander Johnson on December 30, 2011 in Cabazon, California.
“It wasn’t my decision not to fight the past four years,” Garcia added.  “Something happened with my now former manager and promoter.  I trained all the time, sparred a lot, and did as much as I could do in the gym.   I still had a contract until it expired.  I’ve known Kevin for 2-3 years.  He asked me why I wasn’t fighting and I told him everything.  He said to call him when my contract expired because he wanted to manage me and that’s what I did.
“America offers me a good opportunity, better than England or Ireland, and I’m going to finish my boxing career here.  I’m fighting December 5th and taking things step by step.  I’m not going to rush.  There are a lot of great fighters in the light heavyweight division and I hope to be in the mix next year.”
Garcia’s two fights prior to his last against Johnson were impressive 2010 technical knockouts of former world champion Byron Mitchell (28-6-1) and Jorge Rodriguez Olivera (19-1), respectively, in the second and sixth rounds.
“I left boxing with a bad taste in my mouth but I was looking to get back into boxing,” said Kevin Dever, who co-manages Garcia with Patrick Brown.  “I knew him from Ireland and I always wanted to manage this kid.  He called to tell me his contract had expired and we worked out a deal that brought him here to live in New York.
“I honestly don’t see any rust watching him spar.  I know sparring isn’t fighting but everybody in the gym stops to watch him workout. I honestly think that, once he has some good fights under his belt, he’ll be a top contender in the light heavyweight division. Luis Garcia is the best fighter I’ve ever worked with.”
Garcia, a World Junior Championship gold medalist, defected because he was disillusioned after being denied a spot on the 2008 Cuban Olympic Team, despite him defeating eventual Olympic silver medalist Emelio Correa, Jr. in the Cuban Olympic Qualifier.  Correa is the son of 1972 Olympic champion Emelio Correa, Sr., who was still involved in Cuban amateur boxing when his son was selected over Garcia to represent Cuba in the 2008 Olympics.  Correa lost in the championship final to James DeGale, the Brit who presently is the International Boxing Federation (IBF) super middleweight titlist.
Not a typical defense-first Cuban boxer, Garcia is known as a crisp puncher that many insiders believed had more upside than any Cuban boxers who’ve defected, outside of Guillermo Rigondeaux and Yuriorkis Gamboa, who both have become multiple-time world champions as professionals.
Garcia is working out of the Be First Boxing in Peekskill and Westchester Boxing Club in White Plains (NY), where he is trained by Nick “Knuckles” Delury and his assistant, former world title challenger Larry Barnes (44-3, 17 KOs).  A former No. 1 ranked welterweight contender in the world, Barnes’ only three losses as a pro were to world champions Felix “Tito” Trinidad, Saoul Mamby and Luis Ramon “Yuri Boy” Campas.
“He’s a great kid, very smart and respectful,” Delury commented. “There’s some rust from being off four years, but Luis lives a good, healthy lifestyle and he hasn’t suffered any damage in the ring.  He’s 28, educated, and a true gentleman.  It’s been a pleasure working with him.  Luis is a gifted boxer.  He’s extremely exciting to watch and has a perfect blend of offense and defense.”
Information:
boxing

Undefeated Jr. Middleweight contender, Julian ” J Rock” Williams wants to set trend with year round PED testing

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Philadelphia , PA (December 1, 2015)–Undefeated Jr. Middleweight, Julian “J Rock” Williams has laid down the gauntlet to all boxers around the world as he wants to be the first professional boxer to be tested by BOTH USADA & VADA randomly throughout the year.

Williams (21-0-1, 13 KO’s), is currently ranked number-7 by the WBC, Number-10 by the WBA, & Number-6 by the IBF, wants to prove to the world that there would be no doubt left in anyone’s  mind as he continues his quest to become world champion.

The 25 year-old native of Philadelphia has climbed up the latter and has become a fan favorite throughout the world for his fan-friendly style in which he possesses terrific skills which has earned him the moniker of “Mr Do it All”

Below, Williams outlines his vision of how and why random testing is needed at the championship level

VADA vs USADA View

“I want to be known as the 1st boxer to actively participate in 365/24/7 Olympic Style Testing with two different agencies. USADA and VADA. I don’t know if I will be the best boxer of this era, that remains to be seen. But what I will prove, is that accomplishments are 100% legit. I want to be the pioneer in this. I’m presently seeking sponsors to help me. I’m not a millionaire yet, so money is an issue but I am working to get to the point where I can test continuously no matter if I have a fight scheduled or not. This will be very easy for me because I am 100% clean all the time. Not some of the time. I don’t indulge in drinking or smoking either. I don’t think it’s realistic to test every single fighter in the world. But I do think once you get ranked and/or a champion then we should be in a random testing pool. If I am able to get this done I will welcome any future opponent to participate with me. If my opponent refuses then the fans and media can draw a fair reference and conclusion.”

Last Fight

“I actually had an injury my last fight that I don’t talk about. I’ve never pulled out of a fight because of an injury and I wasn’t going to blow my opportunity to headline PBC near my hometown. So I made my mind up that I was going to blow right through my opponent. People don’t realize I had 4 first round KO’s to start my career, so I can fight like that if I choose. My trainer told me that the other fights went the distance so my fight may not be shown in it’s entirety. I kept telling him I was going to get a 1st round stoppage. So that gave me extra incentive to come through in the clutch. Cuello was a solid fighter but I knew he was in trouble from the 1st few seconds. He didn’t have the reflexes or strength to deal with me.”

Future Opponents, Post Fight Interview
“I’m not as quiet as some people think. I’m not shy either. I just don’t over talk because I will lose my edge. Close to a fight I’m in a very bad mood and I can’t lose my edge. So I don’t talk much. But I was in the zone after my fight.I had just scored a big victory in front of my folks. I love Philadelphia, I was born and raised here. But I’m specifically from West Philly and we have never had a world champion. The best fighters in Philly are usually from North Philly or South Philly. Tyrell Biggs is a mentor of mine, he’s from West Philly but he didn’t win the title. Danny Garcia and Bernard Hopkins are from North Philly…When the ref stopped the fight I was in the zone and I saw a bunch of West Phily in he house…… But honestly I knew I was going to smoke him early. My trainer had been telling me I give guys breaks sometimes by picking them apart technically. So after the ref stopped the fight I let everyone know what was up.”

“Austin Trout a potential opponent of mine who was working as a broadcaster. So I walked over and let him know what was up. Then doing my interview I let everyone know that I would go to Houston to fight Jermall Charlo for his title. But honestly I did that because my trainer was asked would I take fights with either guy. I don’t get into who I fight because I don’t care. I let him handle that. But he told me he was asked, so I just became vocal about it. But I’m not speaking on that anymore. It’s getting old and I don’t care anymore if I fight either guy. I have learned that boxing is a business. I was a little frustrated that I didn’t get either fight but I’ve learned acceptance and I have moved on. I want to concentrate on who is willing to fight and my next date. I wish those guys the best of luck and continued success.”

Next Date

“I thought I would fight 4 times in 2015 but honestly it doesn’t look that way. I definitely wanted to get 4 in because it keeps you sharp. Each fight I had this year I was sharper and sharper. Plus fighting often keeps you close to weight which is important. I was just told that I would go in January. So I just finished a two week mini camp just to work on strength. I’m in the heat of camp now with a return date of January 16th or Jan 23rd. I will be fighting the #1 spot in the IBF to become the mandatory contender to fight for that title. At the end of the day I was never given anything in boxing. I can’t get a champion to voluntarily defend against me. So by becoming a mandatory, I’m forcing a title shot and I plan on taking full advantage of it.”
boxing

GCP Announces Promotional Agreement with Colorful Super Lightweight Contender Karim ‘Hard Hitta’ Mayfield

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Greg Cohen of Greg Cohen Promotions is proud to announce the signing of San Francisco-based super lightweight contender Karim “Hard Hitta” Mayfield (19-2-1, 11 KOs) to an exclusive promotional contract.
A local celebrity and boxing staple in the Bay Area, the charismatic Mayfield has already beaten former world champion Mauricio Herrera, as well as then-undefeated Raymond Serrano. He won the NABO Super Lightweight Championship in 2011 and defended it successfully twice.
The 24-year-old has also served as a sparring partner for world champions Manny Pacquiao, Antonio Margarito, and Sergio Mora. Mayfield came to boxing late, at age 20, but won 54 of his 58 amateur fights before going on a tear as a professional.
“I am excited to be signing with GCP and look forward to being back in action early in 2016,” said Mayfield. “This will give me the opportunity to fight some of the top fighters in the world. I am hard at work preparing, wearing my army fatigues, ready to go duck hunting next year.”
Greg Cohen, his new promoter, says Mayfield makes a very welcome addition to the GCP stable of fighters.
“Karim has amazing natural abilities and the personality to become a crossover star,” said Cohen. “I’m very happy he’s chosen us to help guide his career. We’re going to get him back in the ring often, let him sharpen up his amazing skills and then the sky is the limit for this young man.”

Cohen says he will announce Mayfield’s first appearance under the GCP banner very soon.
boxing, Showtime Boxing, UK Boxing

SHOWTIME SPORTS® TO TELEVISE WBO MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD TITLE FIGHT BETWEEN ANDY LEE AND BILLY JOE SAUNDERS ON SATURDAY, DEC. 19, LIVE FROM MANCHESTER, ENGLAND

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 SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL® Lee vs. Saunders
Airs Live At 5 p.m. ET/PT on SHO EXTEME

 

NEW YORK (Dec. 1, 2015) – SHOWTIME Sports® will present the WBO Middleweight World Championship between defending titlist Andy Lee and unbeaten challenger Billy Joe Saunders on Saturday, Dec. 19, live on SHO EXTREME  (5 p.m. ET/PT) from Manchester, England.

 

The SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL offering of the Box Nation telecast will feature analysis from SHOWTIME boxing experts Brian Custer, Al Bernstein and Paulie Malignaggi before and after the world championship showdown.  An encore presentation of the bout will air on SHO EXTREME later that evening at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

 

“We’re excited to deliver this important matchup of top middleweights to the U.S. audience,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager of SHOWTIME Sports. “The 160-pound class is one of boxing’s hottest and deepest divisions right now, and the winner of this fight should position himself for a major showdown or unification in 2016.”

 

Ireland’s Lee (34-2-1, 24 KOs) won the vacant WBO title with a sixth-round TKO of then-undefeated Matt Korbov in December 2014.  The 6-foot-2, 31-year old was on a six-fight win streak before boxing a split 12-round draw with undefeated former champion Peter Quillin on April 11, 2015, in Brooklyn.  Both fighters went down in a highly competitive scrap that was scored 113-112 for Quillin, 113-112 for Lee and 113-113.

 

Before turning pro Lee was a top amateur and represented Ireland in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

 

“It’s great that my fans in the U.S. will get to see the fight between me and Saunders and I guarantee it’s going to be exciting,” Lee said.

 

Saunders (22-0, 12 KOs), of Hatfield, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom, is the WBO’s No. 1 middleweight contender.  The 26-year-old is coming off a fourth-round TKO over Yoannan Bloyer last July 24 in London.

 

Two starts ago, in the most note-worth victory of his career, the 5-foot-11, Saunders took a 12-round split decision over Chris Eubank Jr. on Nov. 29, 2014, in London. All but one of Saunders’ fights have taken place in England; the other was Northern Ireland.

 

Saunders was also an accomplished amateur; he represented England in the 2008 Olympic Games as a welterweight at the age of 18. Saunders is the great-grandson of one of Britain’s most famous gypsy bare-knuckle champions, Absolom Beeney.

 

“This is a massive night for me and I’m excited that it’s going out live to America,” Saunders said.  “The U.S. viewers will get to see just what I can do when I face Lee and become world champion.  It’s a big boost for me and takes the fight to another level when American TV comes on board and then you know it’s a big fight on the world stage.  I hope that (Gennady) Golovkin and (Miguel) Cotto will be both watching because I’m fast approaching their level and they’ll get to see what I’m all about.”

 

Promoter Frank Warren said, “I’m delighted that SHOWTIME will now be televising Lee vs. Saunders live in the U.S. as it confirms the importance of this fight on the world scene.  My relationship with the network goes back many years with fights like Joe Calzaghe vs. Jeff Lacy, Ricky Hatton vs. Kostya Tszyu, Frank Bruno vs. Oliver McCall, plus Naseem Hamed and Nigel Benn fights.  I believe that Lee vs. Saunders will be another great fight to add to that list because of what’s at stake for both fighters.  What lies ahead for the winner will make them fight to their very best.”

boxing, NBC, Premier Boxing Champions

OMAR FIGUEROA TALKS TRAINING & FAMILY BEFORE PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON NBC PRIMETIME SHOWDOWN AGAINST ANTONIO DEMARCO SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12 FROM THE AT&T CENTER 

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Click HERE For Photos From Team Figueroa
WESLACO, TX (December 1, 2015) – Undefeated boxer Omar “El Panterita” Figueroa (25-0-1, 16 KOs) is going to close out his year with a ring return that will send him into 2016 as both a star in the sport, but also a new threat in the 140-pound division.
Figueroa headlines Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on NBC in primetime onSaturday, December 12. PBC on NBC will air live at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT from San Antonio’s AT&T Center when Figueroa battles former world champion Antonio DeMarco(31-5-1, 23 KOs).
South Texas’s “El Panterita” (little Panther) had a strong super lightweight debut in May against former titlist Ricky Burns and after being delayed by injuries, he is back, healthy and firing on all cylinders.
“I’m ready,” said Figueroa. “Since I’ve moved up to 140 I’ve felt stronger than ever. This week in camp, after my sparring sessions, I’ve felt that I was connecting more and that my velocity and power has increased. My May fight was a good indication of what I can do and this fight against DeMarco will be another one. This weight division feels natural to me.”
Having moved up a weight class in 2015, this year also finds Figueroa back training with his father, Omar Sr., in his hometown of Weslaco, TX.
“Boxing is in my family’s blood,” he said. “My father, sister, brother and mother are all involved with either training or fighting. Being able to train at home, surrounded by my family is important to me. Everything I do is for my family and my community.”
Growing up in both the U.S. and Mexico, Figueroa fought in over 200 amateur fights in Mexico and 100 in the U.S. before turning pro. A proud Mexican-American and Texan, the 25-year-old Figueroa is diversifying training this camp including sparring with a number of fighters from Texas as well as surrounding states.
“I’m sticking to the plan of training and conditioning this camp – cardio, sparring – but the big difference for me is really strengthening and taking care of my body through different preventative therapies. I’m icing, stretching and utilizing the Theraband in workouts. I’m also working with more recovery exercises – warm up and cool down, stimulation, ultrasound, I can tell my body and camp performance that it’s changing my body.”
Not one to sit still, the natural-born athlete takes note of some of the training regimens from past coaches in an attempt to “train smarter” and avoid overtraining.
The December 12 PBC on NBC fight will also be a family affair with his younger brother Brandon appearing on the NBCSN broadcast.
“I’m really grateful for my whole team and promoters Jesse Leija and Mike Battah. They’re giving a lot of talented Texas fighters a shot on a strong national card. Boxing needs to support and bring up talent from across all divisions, and it’s great to see some of my team as well as other top prospects getting a shot on a bill like this one. It’s helping to grow boxing.”
For more information, visit www.premierboxingchampions.com and www.nbcsports.com/boxing, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @LeijaBattahPR, , @OmarFigueroaJr, @NBCSports and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampionsand www.facebook.com/NBCSports. Highlights available at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions.

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