BELLATOR MMA AND SPIKE TV NAME SEAN GRANDE PLAY-BY-PLAY ANNOUNCER FOR ITS LIVE FIGHT COVERAGE

Grande

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (July 13, 2015) – Bellator MMA and Spike have named veteran sports announcer and the current voice of the Boston Celtics, Sean Grande, as its new play-by-play announcer. Grande will team up with color analyst Jimmy Smith beginning this Friday, July 17 for “Bellator 140” at Mohegan Sun Arena.

 

Fans can tune in to hear Grande and Smith call the action for the first time at “Bellator 140,” which airs live and free on Spike at 9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CT. The event features five action-packed welterweight fights, headlined by Bellator Welterweight Champion Douglas Lima, who defends his belt against Andrey Koreshkov, plus the return of hometown favorite Brennan Ward.

 

“Sean Grande is an incredibly talented and well-accomplished sports announcer with a passion for mixed martial arts,” said Scott Coker, President, Bellator MMA. “He has been behind the microphone for many championship events and we look forward to him bringing his enthusiasm and energy to Bellator as our league continues to grow.”

 

“I’m proud to have called games for some amazing organizations, ABC Sports, CBS, the Celtics, the Red Sox, Westwood One,” said Grande. “But I’ve simply been blown away by the people at Spike TV and Bellator, and the product they want to present.  I’m legitimately honored to join both of these teams, and make some great sports television.

“I absolutely love what Scott (Coker) has done for Bellator and l’m thrilled to start calling the fights alongside Jimmy Smith Friday night on Spike. I’m going to have the best seat in the house, watching Douglas Lima and some of the best welterweights in the world.  Hard to imagine a better way to kick things off, and it’s all taking place just a short drive from Boston.

 

“I understand why I’m a story today.  But what I’m really excited about, is being able to tell the stories of amazing champions like Patricio Pitbull, Will Brooks, Douglas Lima and Liam McGeary as they rise to the top of the sport.”

 

More on Grande (@SeanGrandePBP):

Recently completing his 18th season in the NBA and 15th as the voice of the Boston Celtics, Grande’s epic account of the two-month run to the 2008 World Championship cemented his status as one of the nation’s elite play-callers.  He’s joined by analyst Cedric Maxwell for all Boston Celtics games.  Since shortly after their 2001 pairing, “Grande and Max” have become one of Boston’s most popular and iconic on-air combinations, and the soundtrack of the Celtics “New Big Three Era”.

 

On May 20, 2013, Grande made his Major League Baseball debut, after being named the alternate play-by-play voice of the World Champion Boston Red Sox.  It completed his cycle of broadcasting major pro sports (NBA, NFL, NHL, WNBA and MLS).  In January, he returned to his television roots, calling college basketball on CBS Sports Network.

 

Grande’s reached several milestones over the last few years.  Only the legendary Johnny Most and current television voice Mike Gorman have now called more Celtics games.  In 2009, he called his 1000th NBA Game, joining Marv Albert and Ian Eagle as the only three to reach that plateau before the age of 40.  Grande and Max were honored pre-game at TD Garden for their 1000th game together on February 3, 2012.
Voted by the readers of Boston Sports Media Watch as the best play-by-play announcer in Boston, Sean was recruited back to town in 2001 after serving three years as the television voice of the Minnesota Timberwolves.  When he signed in 1998, he was the youngest announcer in the NBA.  The versatile Grande’s play-by-play credits also include two seasons as part of ABC Sports College Football broadcast team, joining the likes of Keith Jackson and Brent Musburger.

Grande’s first stint in Boston began at Boston University where he spent seven seasons calling Terrier hockey, football and basketball on both television and radio.  On the television side, Grande was the original voice of the Hockey East Game of the Week on Fox Sports Net.  His college hockey work for Fox and the NCAA Tournament garnered him three New England Emmy nominations including the 1999 Emmy for best Play-by-Play.  He’s served six years as the television voice of the NCAA East Regional.  And this past April in Philadelphia, his twelfth year as “Voice of the Frozen Four” on CBS Radio, Grande called his record fifteenth NCAA Championship Game.
His broadcast career included a seven-year stint at WEEI (1991-1998), the final three as Sports Director.  His wide-ranging play-by-play career has seen him call NFL Football for Westwood One, WNBA basketball for the Minnesota Lynx (1999-2001) and Connecticut Sun (2006-2007), MFS Pro Tennis, Providence Bruins hockey, Harvard basketball and even Major League Soccer.  He served three years as host of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on NHL radio and co-hosted the NCAA Hockey Selection show on ESPN2.

 

LEO SANTA CRUZ & ABNER MARES TO HOST LOS ANGELES PRESS CONFERENCE AND FAN RALLY AT PLAZA MEXICO TO ANNOUNCE THEIR SATURDAY, AUGUST 29 PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON ESPN SHOWDOWN AT STAPLES CENTER

 

PLAZA MEXICO

TUESDAY, JULY 14 AT 3:30 P.M. PT

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

 

WHO:              LEO SANTA CRUZ, Undefeated Two-Division World Champion

ABNER MARES, Former Three-Division World Champion

JOSE SANTA CRUZ, Santa Cruz’s Father & Trainer

CLEMENTE MEDINA, Mares’ Trainer

TOM BROWN, President of TGB Promotions

 

WHAT:         Undefeated Two-Division World Champion Leo “El Terremoto” Santa Cruz (30-0-1, 17

KOs) and former three-division world champion Abner Mares (29-1-1, 15 KOs) will host a Los Angeles press conference and open-to-the-public fan rally to officially announce their 12-round featherweight Premier Boxing Champions on ESPNshowdown taking place Saturday, August 29 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles.

 

WHEN:              Tuesday, July 14

 

3:30 p.m. PT – Media Roundtable

4:30 p.m. PT – Press Conference Begins

5:00 p.m. PT – Autograph Signing and Photos

 

WHERE:           Press Conference – Plaza Mexico

3100 E. Imperial Highway

Lynwood, California 90262

 

Media Roundtable – La Huasteca Restaurant (In Plaza Mexico)

3150 E. Imperial Hwy #100

Lynwood, CA 90262

 

*The press conference will be held in Plaza Mexico’s Main Courtyard

 

TICKETS:       Tickets for the event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are priced at $25, $50,

$75, $150 and $200, not including applicable fees and service charges, go on saletomorrow Friday, July 10 at 10:00 a.m. (PST) at AXS.com or by phone at 888-929-7849 or at the STAPLES Center starting Saturday, July 11 at 10:00 am (PST).

PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON CBS & SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING MEDIA CONFERENCE CALL TRANSCRIPT


 

Lisa Milner  

Thank you operator. Thank you everybody for joining us. We’re going to get to the fighters for this huge, huge day of boxing next Saturday, July 18. I did want to first turn the call over to Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager of SHOWTIME Sports who can get into the details of the fights and the first fighter we will have speaking immediately after Stephen is Chris Arreola. But Stephen please kick it off.

 

Stephen Espinoza

Thanks very much Lisa. As Lisa said, it is a huge weekend of boxing coming up on CBS and SHOWTIME. First on Friday night we’ve got a stellar SHOBox card featuring six undefeated boxers in action.

 

Then on Sunday we have a unique day/night double header, which as far as we have found is unprecedented. It’s CBS and SHOWTIME teaming up to televise a total of five fights, including two world title fights and a title eliminator, all coming from the Don Haskins Center in my hometown, El Paso, Texas.

 

So the SHOWTIME family is very happy about these events, as are all the rabid boxing fans that are in the El Paso area. At 1:00 p.m. PT/4:00 ET on CBS we have the always exciting heavyweight star Chris Arreola as well as the U.S. debut of super bantamweight world champion Carl Frampton.

 

Shortly you’ll hear from both Chris and Carl as well as Carl’s promoter Barry McGuigan. Interesting note about Barry McGuigan, obviously a Hall of Famer in his own right. Barry McGuigan appeared in one of the first televised bouts ever on SHOWTIME back in 1986 against Steve Cruz. Unfortunately he didn’t win that night, but he was one of the very first televised events on SHOWTIME. It’s a pleasure to have him back.

 

Then in the evening portion of the telecast on SHOWTIME, 7:00 p.m. PT/10:00 p.m. ET we have what is now a three fight card. Happy to announce that we’ve added a third fight to the card, the very exciting Amir Imam will be taking on Fernando Angulo in a super lightweight title eliminator.

 

Then we are also excited to have a super flyweight world championship McJoe Arroyo, the exciting Puerto Rican star, against Arthur Villanueva. Of course the headliner is a battle of two very exciting Mexican fighters Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. and Marcos Reyes.

 

So all in all, it could be a very historic day. It’s certainly unprecedented as far as we know in in this sport. Now I’m going to turn back over to Lisa.

 

L. Milner      

Okay great. Thanks so much and we’re just going to go straight ahead and introduce Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola. Chris could you please make an opening statement just about training camp and then we will open it up for questions?

 

Chris Arreoloa         

Well I’m over here in Riverside training. I’ve been out here for the past seven weeks working hard, grinding every day, getting ready for this big fight in El Paso. You know El Paso is a big fight town and I’m looking forward to exhibiting my boxing skills and showing everybody that I’ve still got it and I’m still a force to be reckoned with and I’m going for the title run again.

 

Q

Just talk a little bit about this next fight and your opponent. What do you know about him? And what are the keys for you?

 

C. Arreola

I know that he’s a very slick fighter, a very slick boxer, a boxer that switches a lot, switches from left to righty, depending on the kind of options that you offer them. And the thing that I’m going to need to do is use a lot of my angles and give him a different view because he’s a very skilled fighter and I want to take him out as soon as I can because they don’t pay me overtime. And the El Paso fans deserve a good outing from me.

 

Q

I know you’ve had a couple of title shots in your career, Chris, and I know there’s been some talk of you getting another title shot in September. What’s your focus right now? What’s your mentality like?

 

C. Arreola     

My focus right now, it’s the 18th. That’s my one and only focus because without that win, there is no title shot.           You’re only as good as your last win, and that’s the way I feel. So all the talk is just talk. It doesn’t mean anything until I win this fight. Then we can really talk about it. So first things first is the 18th. I want to make sure that I put on a good fight because Fred is a good fighter and when I beat him I want to beat him in a fashion that people want to see me fight Wilder, not just have it given to me.

 

I want to deserve that title fight. I want people to want to see that fight. So that’s my main goal of this fight, to showcase my skills and show everybody that I deserve another title shot.

 

Q

Chris is there an ideal weight for you to fight at and what do you plan to come in, tip the scales at on fight night?

 

C. Arreola     

My main goal – first and foremost my main thing is being in boxing shape. My weight doesn’t reflect my training. The main thing is I want to be a good boxing weight and great boxing weight in order for me to go the full ten rounds, in order for me to throw 80 to 100 punches around. That is my main goal is to showcase my boxing skills.

 

As far as boxing weight, if I had an optimal weight, it would be in the mid-240s, like 44, 45, at the lowest maybe 42, but for this fight I’m thinking I’m going to come in in the high 40s, — 47, 48. But the main thing is El Paso fans are going to see a good boxing weight and a great boxing fight from myself.

 

Q

How do you use your size advantage? How do you use your size advantage against an opponent, particularly on this fight coming up? How will you use that advantage you have?

 

C. Arreola

Well as far as my weight advantage, it’s more you’ve got to impose your will. You’ve got to impose your will as far as pushing him back. Pushing him back is smart with the jab and making sure I keep him in his heels because I don’t want him being on his toes because he’s very good on his toes.

 

So the main thing I have to do is impose my will, moving my head, working behind the jab, and pushing it back to the ropes. Once I push his back to the ropes, it’s trying to work his body from the body to the head. We love working the body.

 

That’s what I’m going to plan to do, is make sure that he knows that he’s in a fight, make sure that he understands that every time I touch him I don’t touch him to touch him, I touch him to hurt him.

 

Q

What does it mean to fight on network television, which everybody gets?

 

C. Arreola     

Honestly it’s a privilege and an honor to be fighting on national network TV where everyone gets it. It’s different to hear of regular person – a person that doesn’t even know boxing – know some boxers. Like I’ve been hit up by a guy like, “Hey do you know Keith Thurman?”

 

They never watched a boxing fight in their life. But the fact that now it’s on NBC, CBS, and all the three networks, people are able to watch boxers and showcase their skills. That’s one thing that I’m so happy and honored to do is that it’s not just a casual boxing fans but it’s anyone. Anyone could watch me fight, and that’s pretty dope. That’s really an honor and just drives me to want to display my skills a lot more, knowing that there’s going to be a wider audience watching me.

 

Q

Chris. I was just wondering what you thought of Wilder’s performance against Molina and were you surprised that Molina was able to give him the trouble that he did considering what you did to him in your fight?

 

C. Arreola

To be honest with you, when I watched that fight I didn’t think it was going to last two, three rounds. Personally I think that Wilder carried him. First I think Wilder wanted to get himself rounds. I don’t think that Wilder was really trying to take him out until he actually pushed on the gas.

 

Sometimes trying to showcase you get caught and he got caught a couple times with some stupid shots that he should never have been caught with. That’s why I never want to go rounds. I don’t care who it is. I want to get him out of there as soon as I can because all it takes is one punch to get knocked out.

 

I honestly believe that Wilder was just showcasing. I believe that Wilder was just carrying him to fight. I take nothing out of that fight. I take no honor in me taking Molina out quicker than him.

 

Q

Does it encourage you if you were able to get the opportunity to fight him?

 

C. Arreola

It didn’t encourage me. It didn’t make me feel any better, any different. What I got to see more off of him is when he fought Stiverne. Now that fight was a good fight. That fight is a fight that I see a lot out of Wilder and a lot of mistakes, a lot of good and a lot of bad in Wilder.

 

As far as him fighting Molina, did it encourage me? Man, honestly, I don’t fear anybody. I love fighting. I want to fight him just because I want to fight him, especially now since he has a title. And do I believe I could fight him? Yes and I believe that he hasn’t been in the ring with someone like me, someone that really doesn’t give a crap.

 

You know, I really don’t care about myself. I really care about winning the fight. I’m willing to put my life on the life because I want to win a fight. Now the time that I cried when my trainer stopped me, I didn’t cry because he said I quit or anything. I didn’t quit. I cried because of my pride. I’m a prideful man. I have too much fight for myself. And to quit, that’s horrible.

 

L. Milner      

Thank you so much. If you give just one quick closing comment and then we’ll move on to Carl Frampton.

 

C. Arreola

Okay, well I’m really looking forward to July 18 to showcase my skills in front of the whole United States to watch showcase boxing. I’m happy that we’re up here and I can’t wait to showcase my skills in El Paso, Texas which I know has been hungry for big fights. See you on the 18th.

 

L. Milner      

Perfect, thank you. Okay now I am delighted to introduce Carl Frampton and his Hall of Famer manager Barry McGuigan. We also have Alejandro  on the line. But before we have him make an opening statement I did want Carl and Barry to say a few words.

 

Carl Frampton         

I’m just looking forward to the fight. I think it’s going to be a good fight. Kind of reiterating what Chris just said there now, it’s giving me a chance to showcase my talents on CBS, terrestrial TV in the U.S., also terrestrial television in the U.K. on ITV. So I’m really looking forward to a good fight.

 

Barry McGuigan

Just to reiterate that point, as a manager and a former world champion myself, my name was sort of written in stone 30 years ago because I appeared on terrestrial TV. It’s been that way for a long time, and I think what PBC is doing – it’s great for us to be associated with the go-to guy at the moment in boxing.

 

To get terrestrial television fans interested in boxing, casual boxing fans, not just the aficionados but people who are genuinely of a casual interest in boxing but the ones who will watch big fights. I think it’s great not just for Carl Frampton but great for all the fighters on the bill and great for boxing in general.

 

So we’re thrilled to be here. We’re already in El Paso. Carl is expecting a tough fight from Alejandro, and we’re very much looking forward to it.

 

L. Milner

Okay, wonderful. We actually also have Alejandro Gonzalez, Jr. on the line. Alejandro could you make an opening comment just about how training camp’s going and preparing for Carl?

 

Alejandro Gonzalez

Well, we’re preparing 100% because we’re going to fight a great champion so we need to be 100% ready with the preparations.

 

Q

Your name is not relatively known to the casual American boxing fan and in this fight you’re going to get massive exposure to American boxing time basically. What does that mean to you?

 

C. Frampton

That means a lot, that’s something me and my time have discussed, I’m pretty well known in the UK and Ireland but in the United States, unless you’re a diehard boxing fan you won’t know who Carl Frampton is.

 

So this is giving me the chance for a lot of exposure on terrestrial television. It’s a big deal. I think boxing has kind of been depraved. It’s a sport for the working class and the working class people are not getting to see it because it’s been hidden away on satellite channels for so long.

 

So this is great for me, well not only for me for boxing and also for our pretty new promotional team Cyclone promotions to have one of their fighters showcased on both sides of the Atlantic.

 

Q

What was the main reason that you decided to jump on board with Al Haymon and make a trip over to the United States?

 

Carl Frampton         

Well we discussed it with our team and it was a pretty easy decision to be honest. I think the exposure that we can get with Al Haymon is absolutely massive and huge.

 

Even more so than that he’s got a lot of the top fighters around the super bantamweight division all these names that I want to fight, you know, Leo Santa Cruz, Abner Mares, Gary Russell those sort of fighters that he’s got that Al Haymon controls.

 

So without linking up with him it would have been pretty hard to make them fights. So it was a pretty easy decision. We are very grateful for the opportunity here.

 

As I said before to the answer previously it’s giving me a chance for massive exposure here and that’s really the big thing, exposure both sides of the Atlantic.

 

B. McGuigan

If I could add to that, there isn’t any bigger than Al Haymon at the moment. If you want to get into the American market and the reality is Carl is a superstar in Britain and in Europe and in Ireland and the reality is when your career is dead and buried all they remember is the stuff you’ve done in the United States.

 

So it’s a very important decision for us to come over here and try and be impressive and trying to make a name for ourselves.

 

Q

How much of that went into your decision to come over here and expand the market and be able to touch on those big fights against Leo Santa Cruz, Gary Russell or even Abner Mares if he can upset Leo in August.

 

B. McGuigan

Here’s the thing, here’s the thing again there are at the last count 27 million people of Irish descent in America I think that’s on the East Coast actually. So we want to get into that market.

 

It’s a great market, we need to get as many people on our side as possible and we have great respect for Alejandro and his dad. He’s got a great Mexican boxing heritage and obviously that’s the fight that we’re looking at and concentrating on at the moment.

 

But it would be foolish certainly of me not to look ahead and plan ahead and think about what are the super fights out there for us and that is against Leo Santa Cruz and Abner Mares, Gary Russell and I believe Frampton can to go 130 as well and be successful there.

 

But one stage at a time and we’re not taking our eyes off the ball on the 18th. It’s a very tough fight for us, Alejandro is a great fighter.

 

C. Frampton 

I just agree 100% on everything that Barry said. If you want to do anything in America at the minute the way boxing is going Al Haymon is the man to link up with and we’ve done that.

 

I’m very pleased with doing that. Me and the team are all very pleased and we think that things are just really going to kick off. But again it’s one fight at a time.

 

I’m not looking past Alejandro. I leave it to my manager Barry and the rest of the team to think ahead but for me I just think about the fighter in front of me and that’s Alejandro .

 

He’s the only guy I’ve been thinking about for the last 14 week training camp and that’s the way it will remain until the fight.

 

Q

I’m just wondering what your thoughts are on adopting fighting on the East Coast, beginning to draw in some of those new American Irish boxing fans who may not be familiar with you yet?

 

C. Frampton 

That’s where we want to be, we want to be on the East Coast. We want to be fighting around the East Coast, New York, Madison Square Garden, Barclays Center, those sort of places, Boston potentially as well.

 

I’m hoping that there is already talk about my next fight I’m not too sure where it will be but good chance my next fight could be in the UK and Ireland again somewhere.

 

Then we’d be looking to go to New York or the east coast. I think that’s where my American fan base will be, mainly on the East Coast.

 

I think they’ll appreciate the way I fight. It’s all well and good me winning fights but I think what the Americans and boxing fans want to see is exciting fighters and I think that I’ve got an exciting style to please them.

 

So East Coast is where we want to be. I think El Paso was the only matinee show that we could link up with British TV Time. So it’s setting pretty in the UK at the minute, it’s being shown at around 10:00 pm out of the UK.

 

That’s why we had to go to El Paso but, you know, I’m very happy for this chance to fight here but of course I want to fight on the East Coast.

 

B. McGuigan

Can I also add to that, what we see and Carl wants to do what GGG has done. We want to get the Mexicans fans on our site too and obviously the fight against Alejandro on the 18th of July is a fight that we, that Carl must win, he must win impressively. We hope that we will garner some support from the Mexican fans too and that they will appreciate Carl’s style.

 

Q

What’s it like working with Barry and what kind of things have you learned from him during your time together?

 

C. Frampton 

Well it’s great. I’ve been with Barry since six years ago. Originally at the start I had done a lot of training with Barry and he’s the best for me and taking me through training sessions.

 

I lived in his house while I trained in England, the South of England. I have a very good relationship with Barry and the rest of his family. His son is now training me at the minute and he kind of took the reins.

 

Barry is in the gym most days. He comes and watches me spar and he’s been there and done it, he’s done it all and to be getting advice every day of someone who has done that it’s obviously great and very beneficial to me.

 

I’m 28 years old I’m not the youngest guy in the world but I still feel like I’m learning all the time. I still feel like I’m getting better and I just try and soak as much information up as I can.

 

Q

Barry can you bring to him I guess in terms of advice in the say of what to look for as he moves forward in his career?

 

B. McGuigan

I think Carl Frampton is one of the best Irish fighters that there’s ever been and that’s a bold statement and he’s 28 years old, he’s chronologically 28 but physiologically he’s only a young man because of the way he fights, the way his style is.

 

He doesn’t take a lot of punishment and he can box going back, going forward and I think he’s got a great style of fighting. I think the Americans are going to love him and the 18th of July is the fight where we make our first impression and I believe it’s going to be a big impression.

 

We’re expecting a tough fight but I really believe that Carl has both the personality, the fighting style and the charisma to make it work over here and, I believe we’re on the threshold of something very big.

 

Q

Barry does it bring back a lot of memories for you seeing Carl.

 

B. McGuigan

The next best thing to actually fighting yourself is being involved with young men and developing talent and as you come along through your career and I’m sure the same is with Alejandro ‘s dad.

 

Being involved with kids and developing them, especially if they are your own child and often Carl feels like he is part of the family. He’s been involved so long and he’s a really talented kid. He’s very dedicated and it’s great to see him make progress.

 

For me vicariously I love and appreciate all of the things that he’s doing and making the progress he’s making and turning into the fighter that I always believed he could.

 

Q

What do you see as being the potential for you fighting either or both Guillermo Rigondeaux and Scot Quigg?

 

C. Frampton 

Look, I would like to fight them all. I think the situation with Quigg is he’s outpricing himself on a fight. He thinks he’s worth more than what he is. I was always told by my mother growing up never to sell myself short so I’m not going to sell myself short to Scott Quigg or Eddie Hearn.

 

I think the Rigondeaux fight is a great possibility. There’s rumors that he may be linking up with Al Haymon and if he does link up with Al Haymon then of course the fight would be easier to make. I believe I could win.

 

You look at Rigondeaux and I completely admire what he does and his fighting style, but I think I’m the only man in the Super Bantamweight division that can beat him. I’m ready to take that fight whenever it comes.

 

Q

How long do you see yourself sticking around at 122?

 

C. Frampton 

Well I can stay here as long as possible. I think I could probably, if I wanted to be, I could be a career super bantamweight. I find it that I’m making the weight division a little bit easier with each camp.

 

But I’m a big super bantamweight. I think Alejandro is maybe a few inches taller than me. He’s about five foot seven area. I’m about five foot five.

 

I’m strong. I’m very, very solid. I’m quite a super bantamweight. But if I wanted I could just stay here for the rest of my career. But I think it’s some sort of legacy and it’s important to move up the weight divisions. I think I would be very dangerous as well.

 

B. McGuigan

Very simple situation with Scott Quigg. Scott Quigg has got the regular title. Scott Quigg has never headlined to show, although he’s a champion and I really respect the guy. He thinks I don’t, but I do. I just want to set the record straight in America too. He’s a decent fighter, no question about it.

 

He never has fought the level of opposition Carl has fought. The real champion is Guillermo Rigondeaux. Scott Quigg doesn’t merit 50% of the purse. Carl has won all his title fights. He’s taken risks. He’s buying out arenas. He’s been a headline act; all of the things that Quigg has not done. Quigg has got the WBA regular title. The real champion is Guillermo Rigondeaux.

 

When Hearn took it upon himself to go and ask, he went behind our backs and asked if the fight could be sanctioned as a unification fight. He was told no because the real champion is Guillermo Rigondeaux.

 

So with that in mind, we don’t want the regular title. We’re not interested in the regular title. We’re interested in the fight, but not in that title.

 

We are of course interested in Guillermo Rigondeaux’s Super world title. That’s a different story. But the fact is, if we’re going to Manchester, we’re putting Carl’s credibility on the line and we’re going into his home first.

 

When you come into this fight with a voluntary defense, the guy gets as much as the champion wants to pay him. Or even in the mandatory position, it’s still a 75/25% situation. So we said we’d star at 70/30 but the least we would take would be 60/40, and they wouldn’t play ball. It’s as simple as that.

 

So the fight doesn’t matter and therefore we now have a situation where we can fight a number of these great guys, provided Carl gets back and gets past Alejandro on the 18th of July.

 

Q

How much of an adjustment is it going to be for you not being in that arena full of the big supporting crowd for you?

 

C. Frampton 

I think it will be absolutely fine. I’ve boxed all over the world as an amateur. I’ve boxed away from home a lot of the time. I’ve been in very, very hostile environments in Turkey. I remember Turkey being extremely hostile for some reason and I went out there and beat three Turks three years in a row.

 

Q

Have you noticed any difference around since that fight on ITV?

 

C. Frampton 

I get recognized a lot, but obviously back home in Belfast it’s very good, and especially around a fight. It’s hard to kind of go anywhere without someone coming and asking for a photograph or even just to shake your hand, which I don’t mind at all. I enjoy it and I enjoy people’s company and I enjoy chatting to him.

 

In London since the last fight it has got a little bit better. Well better or worse; whatever you want to call it. People are approaching me a little bit more. But I can still go fairly unrecognizable in London.

 

It’s all about the change. We’re fighting here on CBS here. I’m fighting on ITV at prime time – a prime time slot. We don’t have any other big shows to go up against. The last time I fought it was pretty late on ITV much of the day and stuff was on at the same time.

 

So they took a lot of viewing figures we’re expecting to do about a million viewers here, and obviously when you do that, more people are going to recognize you in the street.

 

Q

Did you get any feedback from ITV?

 

C. Frampton 

I think they were over the moon with it and that’s why this came back and they’re showing another. You know if they weren’t happy with it they wouldn’t have put me back on again. That’s the bottom line.

 

So ITV were very happy. They were very happy with their viewing figures and they want to continue a relationship with us and that continues with the fight on the 18th against Alejandro.

 

L. Milner

Okay, great. We’re actually going to take one question for Alejandro and then we have to move on to Julio Cesar Chavez. So can we please have this question for Alejandro and then we will turn it over.

 

Q        

Alejandro you’ve fought before at the Sun Bowl on the Julio Cesar Chavez undercard. Are you looking to upset Carl Frampton this way here and shock the world?

 

A. Gonzalez

Yes, this is going to be my second time fighting on Chavez’s undercard, but I’m very happy to fight a great fighter. But my dad told me, if you want to be best you have to fight the best. So that’s what I think that Carl Frampton is one of the best of the bantamweight champs.

 

Q

Are you looking forward to fighting in front of a huge Mexican-American crow in El Paso?

 

A. Gonzalez  

Yes, of course. In El Paso there’s a lot of Mexican people. Like I just said, Chavez is going to be in that fight and he’s a Mexican. So he has a lot of crowd. I have a lot of crowd and it’s going to be a great fight and a lot of people and a lot of Mexican and American people in the fight.

 

L. Milner

We do have Julio Cesar Chavez on the line so we’re going to jump over to the SHOWTIME

 

Julio Cesar Chavez 

I’m very happy that we are close to the fight. I have five weeks with (Robert) and I prepared 100% for the fight. I feel ready to fight.

 

Q

Julio, you’re always an honest person. You’ve always been very sincere about everything. And my question to you is, whether the biggest enemy of your career has been Julio Cesar Chavez, himself?

 

J. Cesar Chavez

I haven’t been 100% all the time, but my career has had lots of accomplishments. I was the first Mexican to win the Middleweight World Champion. I’ve been a World Champion. I’ve defended my belt. In addition to that I’ve beaten really great fighters. And I have a record of 48 and 2. And so it’s not fair to say that I haven’t accomplished a lot and haven’t been prepared all the time. But this is a great challenge.

 

Q

Do you feel you owe the public a great performance?

 

J. Cesar Chavez

Obviously I have to win this fight. I have to be great.

 

I took on a challenge that was tough. I fought somebody who was 175 pounds. I fought somebody after two years of being inactive.

 

There were a lot of things going on in my career including the legal problems that I was going through at the same that I was trying to get ready for a fight. It was a tough challenge.

 

Even though it was a defeat for me I feel like I was a better fighter than him. But he was more prepared. I think that those were the factors. I plan to win this next fight.

 

L. Milner      

Okay we actually have Marcos Reyes on the line before okay our next question I just want to let him say a few words about training camp.

 

Marco Reyes 

Well I’ve been Mexico City for six weeks right now in camp with Nacho Beristain, my trainer right now. A number of you have been excited for that fight July 18 which I’m going to face with Julio Chavez and I’m going to be in great shape for it.

 

Q        

Nacho Beristain says that Julio changing trainers is not the issue, that it’s a personal and a mental issue and that’s the problem. Do you have a response?

 

J. Cesar Chavez       

Robert Garcia is a great trainer. He has respect for a lot of people. He’s a respected trainer. I don’t understand what Nacho Beristain’s problem is.

 

He has in the past criticized me and he’s also criticized other people. In his career he goes around criticizing people. But, the facts are different.

 

I’m is first Mexican middleweight champion. I’ve only had two defeats. One was number two pound fighter which is Martinez. And I knocked him down, almost knocked him out, almost finished the right.

 

My second was against a natural 175 pounder who was ranked number four in the world who’s a very top level fighter.

 

So on July 18 I plan to show Nacho Beristain and everybody else that I’m one of the greatest fighters.

 

Q

Julio have you ever thought about losing again since you lost again what would happen in your career with another defeat?

 

J. Cesar Chavez

I’m not planning on losing. I’m planning on winning. When I fight at my weight I can beat anybody. There’s nobody in boxing who can beat me when I fight at my weight.

 

I feel right now that I’m at the best. I feel this is the best part of my career. And on July 18 I’m going to win.

 

If I lost this fight then it would make me think about retiring because this is not the type of rival that should beat me. The type of rivals that I fought are much better and tougher than this rival.

 

Q

What big name are you thirsty for?

 

J. Cesar Chavez

Well firstly I respect my opponent a lot. All opponent are dangerous because Reyes, he’s a tough guy.

 

I have big plans for the division, I will fight anyone out there.

 

But now I focus on Reyes. After that it’s whatever opponent comes. I’m ready for whatever name

 

I fight for the people and if the people want a big name I will fight anyone

 

L. Milner      

Okay. Julio could you just close out today as you wrap up training camp and head into fight week in El Paso?

 

J. Cesar Chavez

I feel ready to show the people a great fight. I’m ready to show the people my great fighting and I hope they enjoy the fights. Because two Mexican fighters in the ring every time makes a great fight.

 

I want to send a big hug to all of the people in El Paso. I hope that they come out and support both fighters. This is going to be a great fight between two Mexican fighters.

 

But obviously I intend on winning this fight. And most importantly I plan on giving the fans a great fight on July 18.

 

 

For more information visit www.sports.sho.com, www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @SHOSports, @jccchavez1, @RealCFrampton, @WarriorsBoxingProm, @TGBPromotions and @Swanson_Comm and follow the conversation using #ChavezReyes and #FramptonGonzalez become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing and www.Facebook.com/WarriorsBoxingPromo or visit the SHOWTIME Boxing Blog http://shosportspoundforpound.tumblr.com/.

SHOWTIME SPORTS® & CBS SPORTS TO OFFER ROBUST LINEUP OF FIGHTS AS PART OF UNIQUE WEEKEND OF BOXING

 ShoBox: The New Generation: Friday, July 17 at 10 p.m. ET/PT

Premier Boxing Champions on CBS: Saturday, July 18 at 4 p.m. ET/1p.m. PT

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®: Saturday, July 18 at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT

 

NEW YORK (July 13, 2015) – SHOWTIME Sports® and CBS Sports will offer an action-packed weekend of fights spanning three different boxing series beginning with ShoBox: The New Generation on Friday, July 17, and concluding with a special afternoon-evening PBC on CBS doubleheader and SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING tripleheader from the same venue on Saturday, July 18.

 

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will air live on SHOWTIME® at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT from the Don Haskins Arena at the University of Texas El Paso and the PBC on CBS broadcast will originate just hours earlier from the same arena, live on CBS Sports at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT.

 

ShoBox: The New Generation will kick-off the weekend action on Friday live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) from Sands Casino Hotel in Bethlehem, Pa., as the prospect-oriented developmental series celebrates its 14th anniversary with a quadrupleheader featuring six undefeated prospects squaring off.

 

“SHOWTIME Sports and CBS Sports are excited to offer fans an unprecedented weekend of boxing featuring at least nine fights, including two world championships and a world title eliminator,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports.  “From boxing’s biggest stars on our SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING franchise and undefeated prospects on our critically acclaimed ShoBox series, to working with our colleagues at PBC and CBS Sports, we are the destination for fight fans this weekend.”

 

In the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING main event, Mexican superstar Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (48-2-1, 32 KOs) will aim for redemption as he returns to the ring with a new trainer in a lower weight class.  The former middleweight champion will take on fellow Mexican brawler Marcos Reyes (33-2, 24 KOs) in his first fight with renowned trainer Robert Garcia in a 10-round super middleweight bout.

 

Also on SHOWTIME, a pair of top bantamweights will put their undefeated records on the line as Puerto Rican Olympian McJoe Arroyo (16-0, 8 KOs) takes on Arthur Villanueva (27-0, 14 KOs) for the vacant IBF Bantamweight World Championship.  In the opener of the tripleheader, undefeated 140-pound contender Amir Imam (17-0, 14 KOs) will take on veteran Fernando Angulo (29-9, 16 KOs) in a 10-round eliminator to become the No. 1 mandatory challenger in the WBC.

 

PBC on CBS will take center stage earlier that afternoon with an action-packed doubleheader.  In the 12-round main event, Irish champion Carl Frampton (20-0, 14 KOs) will defend his Junior Featherweight World Championship against Mexican contender Alejandro Gonzalez Jr. (25-1-2, 15 KOs).  In the PBC on CBS co-main event, heavyweight contender Chris Arreola (36-4, 31 KOs) will take on Frederic Kassi (18-3, 10 KOs) in a 8/10-round bout.

 

ShoBox: The New Generation will kick-off the weekend on Friday with a quintessential ShoBoxcard matching well-regarded prospects in some of the toughest tests of their careers.

 

In the main event, Antoine Douglas (17-0-1, 10 KOs) will face Istvan Szili (18-0-2, 8 KOs) in a 10-round middleweight bout, while a pair of undefeated prospects, Derrick Webster (19-0, 10 KOs) and Arif Magomedov (15-0, 9 KOs), square off in the 10-round super middleweight co-feature.

 

Also on the ShoBox telecast, Adam Lopez (12-0, 6 KOs) will meet fellow undefeated prospect Eliecer Aquino (17-0-1, 11 KOs) in a 10-round super bantamweight bout and once-beaten prospect Jerry Odom (13-1, 12 KOs, 1 NC) will face Samuel Clarkson (14-3, 8 KOs) in an eight-round super middleweight matchup.

 

# # #

 

About Showtime Networks Inc.

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX®, and also offers SHOWTIME ON DEMAND®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ ON DEMAND and FLIX ON DEMAND®, and the network’s authentication service SHOWTIME ANYTIME®. Showtime Digital Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of SNI, operates the stand-alone streaming service SHOWTIME®. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks™, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution, which offers Smithsonian Channel™. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV. For more information, go to www.SHO.com.

FORMER WBC, WBO, AND RING CHAMPION SERGIO “MARAVILLA” MARTINEZ AND BROOKLYN FITBOXING CONFIRMED FOR SECOND ANNUAL BOX FAN EXPO SATURDAY, SEPT. 12 IN LAS VEGAS

 

The ultimate fan experience event that gives boxing fans the opportunity to meet-and-greet top fighters, boxing celebrities and industry people in an up-close, personal setting

For Immediate Release

Las Vegas (July 13, 2015) – Former WBC, WBO and Ring Champion Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez and Brooklyn FitBoxing has confirmed that they will appear and have a booth at the Las Vegas Convention Center for the second annual Box Fan Expo that will take place Saturday Sept. 12, 2015. The Boxing Expo will coincide with Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s last fight and Mexican Independence weekend.

Martinez is an Argentine retired professional boxer. He is the former Lineal, The Ring, WBO and WBC middleweight champion, and his 50-month reign as Lineal middleweight champion ranks as one of the longest in the division’s history. Martinez was previously in the light-middleweight division, where he held the WBC light-middleweight title (interim then elevated to full-status champion).

Martínez was formerly rated as the number three pound-for-pound best boxer in the world — behind Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao — by most sporting news and boxing websites, including Sports Illustrated, ESPN, Yahoo! Sports, and The Ring. In 2010, he received The Ring and BWAA “Fighter of the Year” and The Ring “Knockout of the Year” awards. In 2010 and 2012, he received the World Boxing Council “Boxer of the Year” award. Martinez holds notable victories over former world champions Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams, Sergiy Dzinziruk, Darren Barker and Julio César Chávez Jr.

Outside the ring, Martínez has been an active spokesperson in the fight against bullying and domestic violence against women. He is the author of the book Corazón de Rey (“Heart of a King”).

Martinez is also part owner of a health and fitness gym company named Brooklyn FitBoxing, headquartered in Madrid, Spain.

Martinez joins “Showtime” Shawn Porter, Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin, Ruslan “Siberian Rocky” Provodnikov, Terrible” Terry Norris, Joel “El Cepillo” Casamayor, Mia “The Knockout” St. John and “El Feroz” Fernando Vargas among early commitments to this year’s Box Fan Expo.

This unique fan experience event, which allowed fans to meet and greet boxing legends, past and current champions and other celebrities of the sport, debuted last September to large, enthusiastic crowds. This year the Expo will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and once again, allow fans a chance to collect autographs, take photos and purchase merchandise and memorabilia.

Exhibitors such as boxing gear, apparel, broadcasting media and other brand companies who wish to participate will have a chance to showcase their products to fans and the whole boxing industry.

Last year’s inaugural Box Fan Expo featured some of the most popular fighters and boxing celebrities in recent history. Fans were treated to visits with Mike Tyson, Roy Jones Jr, Sergio Martinez, Amir Khan, Zab Judah, Mikey Garcia, James Toney, Riddick Bowe, Leon Spinks Terry Norris, Shawn Porter, Chris Byrd, Jesse James Leija, Lamon Brewster, Ray Mercer, Earnie Shavers, Mia St-John, Erislandy Lara, Peter Quillin, Jean Pascal and Austin Trout. Also appearing were current WBC Champion Deontay Wilder, the charismatic Vinny Pazienza, Paul Williams, noted commentator Al Bernstein and top trainer Roger Mayweather of Mayweather Promotions.

The roster of attendees for this year’s Box Fan Expo will be announced throughout the next several months and weeks leading up to the event.

Tickets to the Box Fan Expo are available online at: http://www.boxfanexpo.eventbrite.com

View the official promo video of Box Fan Expo here: http://www.boxfanexpo.com/video-2/

View Promo Flyer here: http://www.boxfanexpo.com/promo-flyer/

View Photos Gallery 2014 here: http://www.boxfanexpo.com/photos/

For anyone in the boxing industry or brand companies who wish to be involved and reserve a booth as an exhibitor or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Box Fan Expo at:

U.S.A telephone number: (702) 997-1927 or (514) 572-7222

For any inquiries please email: boxfanexpo@gmail.com

More information on the Box Fan Expo is available at: http://www.boxfanexpo.com

To watch Sergio Martinez video about Box Fan Expo go to: http://goo.gl/awkJ6t

You can follow Box Fan Expo on Twitter at: https://www.twitter.com/BoxFanExpo and on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/BoxFanExpo

PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON ESPN – THURMAN VS. COLLAZO OFFICIAL WEIGHTS & WEIGH-IN PHOTOS

BLUE CORNER   RED

 

BANTAMWEIGHTS — 6 Rounds
Gary Antonio Russell

 Washington, DC
2-0 (2 KOs)

117.8 lbs.

vs. Jaxel Marrero
San Juan, PR
1-5-1
119 lbs.
     
SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS — 6 Rounds
Manny Woods

St Petersburg, FL
13-3-1 (5 KOs)
154.8 lbs.

vs. Carlos Garcia
Aguada, PR
7-14-1 (7 KOs)
153.8 lbs.
     
SUPER LIGHTWEIGHTS — 10 Rounds
Anthony Peterson

Washington, DC
34-1 (22 KOs)
138 lbs.

vs. Ramesis Gil
San Juan, PR
8-11-5 (5 KOs)
137.4 lbs.
     
SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS — 4 Rounds
Antonio Tarver Jr.

Orlando, FL
2-0 (2 KOs)

155.2 lbs.

vs. Julian Valerio

Brooklyn, NY

2-3 (1 KO)
155 lbs.

 

   
SUPER LIGHTWEIGHTS — 10 Rounds
Walter Castillo

Managua, NIC
25-3 (18 KOs)
143.6 lbs.

vs. Amet Diaz

Panama City, PAN
32-11 (23 KOs)
143.8 lbs.

     
LIGHTWEIGHTS — 10 Rounds
Edner Cherry

Wauchula, FL
33-6-2 (18 KOs)
132 lbs.

vs. Luis Cruz
Las Piedras, PR
21-3 (16 KOs)
132.8 lbs.
     
SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS — 4 Rounds
Bruno Bredicean
Cape Coral, FL
Pro Debut
148.2 lbs.
vs.

Randy Hedderick

Gulfport, MS

0-3

149.8 lbs.

     
SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS — 8 Rounds
Patryk Szymanski

Konin, POL
13-0  (8 KOs)
155.6 lbs.

vs. Maurice Louishomme

Colorado Springs, CO
8-2- (4 KOs)
154.6 lbs.

     
MIDDLEWEIGHTS — 10 Rounds
Tony Harrison

Detroit, MI
21-0 (18 KOs)
153.8 lbs.

vs. Willie Nelson
Cleveland, OH
23-2-1  (13 KOs)
154.6
     
WBA WELTERWEIGHTS — 12 Rounds
Keith Thurman

Clearwater, FL
25-0  (21 KOs)
146.2 lbs.

vs. Luis Collazo

Queens, NY
36-6 (19 KOs)
147 lbs.

 

 

Click HERE For PDF Version

 


Click HERE For Photos From Lucas Noonan/Premier Boxing Champions

PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS SERIES HEATS UP SUMMER

 

 

 

Multi-Network Lineup of Elite Fighter Matchups Provides #FreeBoxing4All

 

 

Las Vegas, July 10, 2015Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) series has released the summer schedule, showcasing the world’s best boxing matchups, as elite fighters collide on the sport’s newest stage. In the coming months, the PBC Series will air on ESPN (July 11th, Aug 1st and 29th), NBC (Sep 12th and Sep 26th), CBS (July 18th and Sep 6th), NBCSN  (July 25th and August 15th), Spike (Aug 14th and Sep 11th) and Bounce TV (August 2nd).

 

The PBC series, launched on March 7, 2015, has:

  • Brought quality fights to more than 22 million viewers on free TV, including the PBC debut matchup between Robert Guerrero and Keith Thurman (which boxing pundits have called one of the best fights of 2015)
  • Teamed up with NBC, CBS, ESPN, SPIKE, Bounce TV, and more to come…. Taking boxing back to the fans!
  • Rallied fan support for PBC’s mission through the promotion of #FreeBoxing4All in social media channels – reaching more than four million fans and mobilizing hundreds of thousands of boxing enthusiasts to share messages about the importance of accessible, quality fights

Please visit www.premierboxingchampions.com and follow Premier Boxing Champions onFacebook and Twitter.  Follow #FreeBoxing4All to monitor fan conversation.

 

For additional information, please contact Mike Donahue:  Michael@haymonboxing.com

#FreeBoxing4All

UNDEFEATED AMIR IMAM TO TAKE ON FERNANDO ANGULO IN 140-POUND WBC ELIMINATOR

ON SATURDAY, JULY 18, LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

 

Three-Fight SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Telecast Headlined By

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. vs. Marcos Reyes From The Don Haskins Center In El Paso, Texas

 

EL PASO, TEXAS (July 10, 2015) – Undefeated 140-pound contender Amir “Young Master” Imam(17-0, 14 KOs) will take on veteran former world title challenger Fernando “”La Fiera” Angulo (29-9, 16 KOs) in a 10-round WBC super lightweight title eliminator in the opening bout of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® on Saturday, July 18, live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT) from the Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas.

 

The winner of the Imam vs. Angulo scrap will be the WBC’s No. 1 mandatory challenger to the winner of the recently ordered Lucas Matthysse vs. Viktor Postol bout for the vacant WBC Super Lightweight World Title.

 

One of boxing’s fastest-rising prospects, the 24-year-old Imam has knocked out 14 of his 17 professional opponents since turning pro in 2011.  The Albany, N.Y., native is coming off a lopsided 10-round victory over Walter Castillo on April 18 in a bout televised on SHOWTIME.

 

“I’m excited for the fight. My dream is finally coming true,” Imam said. “This is basically my title shot right here. This is the biggest fight of my career and I know I can’t mess it up.  Not everyone gets to make it here, but I get to show the world my talents once again.”

 

A professional since 1999, Angulo is currently riding a five-fight win streak, with his most recent victory coming in November 2014 via a 10-round decision over Pedro Verdu.  The native of Caracas, Venezuela via Ecuador made his U.S. debut in 2006 in a fight televised on SHOWTIME, losing a 12-round decision for the WBA Lightweight Title against Juan Diaz in Arizona.

 

“I’m excited to face Amir Imam on July 18,” Angulo said.  “This is a great opportunity for me to get a huge win on SHOWTIME and in front of the great boxing fans in El Paso. I’m not going to waste this chance.”

 

Imam vs. Angulo joins a rare afternoon-evening doubleheader as CBS Sports and SHOWTIME combine to televise no less than five fights from the Don Haskins Center in West Texas.

 

Premier Boxing Champions on CBS will kick-off the action with a doubleheader featuring the U.S. debut of Irish champion Carl Frampton (20-0, 14 KOs), who will defend his Junior Featherweight World Championship against Mexican contender Alejandro “Cobrita” Gonzalez Jr. (25-1-2, 15 KOs) in the 12-round main event.  In the PBC on CBS co-main event, heavyweight contender Chris Arreola (36-4, 31 KOs) will return to the ring against Cameroonian heavyweight Fred Kassi (18-3, 10 KOs).

 

Later that evening, SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING takes center stage as Mexican superstarJulio Cesar Chavez Jr. (48-2-1, 32 KOs) aims for redemption against fellow Mexican brawler Marcos Reyes (33-2, 24 KOs) in his first fight with renowned trainer Robert Garcia in a 10-round super middleweight bout.  In the evening’s co-feature, a pair of top bantamweights will put their undefeated records on the line as Puerto Rican Olympian McJoe Arroyo (16-0, 8 KOs) takes on Arthur Villanueva (27-0, 14 KOs) for the vacant IBF Bantamweight World Championship.

 

# # #

For more information visit www.sports.sho.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @jcchavezjr1, @WarriorsBoxingProm, @TGBPromotions and @Swanson_Comm, follow the conversation using #ChavezReyes become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing andwww.Facebook.com/WarriorsBoxingPromo or visit the SHOWTIME Boxing Bloghttp://shosportspoundforpound.tumblr.com/.

BELLATOR & WEC VETERAN RETURNS TO DEFEND NEF TITLE

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (July 10, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its nineteenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF XIX,” on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of a professional featherweight championship bout to the fight card.  Anthony “Cheesesteak” Morrison (17-9) will defend the NEF MMA Professional Featherweight Title against Vovka “KGB” Clay (3-0).  The bout is scheduled for five five-minute rounds at a weight of 145-pounds.

 

Morrison stunned the NEF universe this past February when he arrived in Lewiston and submitted hometown hero Ray Wood (5-1) in the fifth round to win the championship title.  It was as if he had sucked all the air out of the Colisée with a vacuum.  Morrison played the role of spoiler that cold, snowy night in Lewiston.

 

“I’ve never seen anything like that before,” said NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo.  “The entire place just dropped into a dead silence.  I don’t think anyone in Maine saw that coming, and I certainly don’t think anyone who’s followed NEF expected a fighter to come in and do that to Ray Wood.  Everyone was shocked.  It was a surreal moment.”

 

Morrison is a seasoned veteran with more than a decade’s experience in the sport.  He has competed against the best MMA has to offer on the national stage, including a stint in World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) and Bellator.  Morrison trains out of Daddis MMA in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

 

“I am very thankful to return to the beautiful state of Maine, for my first title defense,” said Morrison.  “It will be a very entertaining fight and another victory for the five time!  Five time!  Five time!  Five time!  Five time!  Mixed martial arts champion, Anthony Morrison.”

 

Vovka Clay is undefeated as a professional.  He competed as an amateur twice in NEF and won both fights by submission in an impressive fashion.  Clay is considered one of the true rising stars of the New England fight scene.  A win over an accomplished veteran like Morrison could potentially propel Clay onto the national stage.  He is a product of Team Triumph/Boston BJJ of Nashua, New Hampshire.

 

“Every fighter has a dream of making it to the UFC,” said Clay.  “Some choose to go after meaningless titles and pad their records fighting nobodies.  I choose to fight the highest level of competition possible.  I am thrilled to be fighting Anthony Morrison for the NEF Featherweight title.  He is a very durable and crafty veteran.  It won’t be easy, but if I fight my fight, I will finish Morrison and I will be the NEF Featherweight Champion.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF XIX,” takes place on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  Tickets for “NEF XIX” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at207.783.2009 x 525.  For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

About New England Fights

 

New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON ESPN FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & PHOTOS

 

Click HERE For Photos From Lucas Noonan/Premier Boxing Champions

 

Click HERE For ESPN Replay

 

TAMPA (July 9, 2015) – Two days before their primetime fights, televised fighters onPremier Boxing Champions on ESPN conducted a final press conference before theirSaturday, July 11 bouts at USF Sun Dome in Tampa.

 

While main event participants Keith “One Time” Thurman (25-0, 21 KOs) and Luis Collazo (36-6, 19 KOs) were calm and focused discussing their world title bout, Tony Harrison (21-0, 18 KOs) and Willie Nelson (23-2-1, 13 KOs) launched verbal jabs at each other during the formal portion of the press conference and through their face-offs.

 

Televised coverage begins on ESPN at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. Here is what the press conference participants had to say:

 

KEITH THURMAN

 

“I’m so blessed to be here. Some of you reporters remember me since I was a little boy, when Ben Getty went around and told everybody that I was going to be a champion and we are champion. Fighting right back here in my hometown.

 

“Tampa used to have a rich boxing history and I’m looking forward to bringing that back.

 

“Collazo is a solid fighter, with a great resume and he has something to prove. He’s trying to take my title home and I believe him. A hungry man is a dangerous man.

 

“I’m thankful for everyone who has come to support me and I can’t wait to see everybodyon Saturday night.

 

“This is going to be an exciting night of boxing. We have a lot of talent from Tampa on top of even more world class talent on the card. If you’re off the clock, get there at 6:30.

 

“July 4th there were some nice fireworks, on July 11 there will be better ones.”

 

 

LUIS COLLAZO

 

“Keith Thurman is a champion, I can’t take anything away from him. He’s a champion in boxing but he still has more to learn. There’s not a day I go to the gym and don’t learn something new.

 

“I’ve had a great camp and I’m sure Keith has too. This is a fight you have to be ready for, not only physically but mentally as well.

 

“I’m not here for a handout. I’m coming here for win and to bring that belt back to Brooklyn.

 

“I’m a problem to a lot of fighters because of my style.

 

“I’m fighting to inspire all the kids who were counted out before they were even given a chance. I always want to help those who have been counted out.

 

“I’ve had a lot of experience coming into my opponent’s hometown and it can be tough having people against you. But at the end of the fight they could be with you.”

 

TONY HARRISON

 

“There’s nothing like the background I come from. There is no place like Detroit.  Everybody knows what I bring into the ring.

 

“I have what it takes to knock Willie Nelson out. Everyone knows he has a glass chin. I’m going out there to exploit it.

 

“I’ve had a great training camp and I thank my team for that. This fight is a challenge for me and that’s why I took it.  Anybody that tall at this weight is a challenge for everybody.

 

“I’m looking forward to fight and I’m looking forward to the challenge.  It’s not enough to just beat Willie Nelson, I have to knock him out. The challenge is to look good and steal the show from this great main event.”

 

WILLIE NELSON

 

“I’m the youngest of eight kids. I was raised by my sister. The dirt had more value than my life at times.  I have four kids, I’m not letting this guy beat me and take food off their plate.

 

“How many times do I have to prove everybody wrong? I’m going to do it, once again, on Saturday night.

 

“I wanted to get Tony pumped up today and get him off of his game plan so we can capitalize on fight night. It worked, I even had his team fired up. So I’m extremely confident, it’s on to the fight.”

 

# # #


“PBC on ESPN – THURMAN vs. COLLAZO,” a 12-round fight for Thurman’s Welterweight World Championship, takes place Saturday, July 11, at the USF Sun Dome in Tampa, Florida. The event is promoted by Warrior’s Boxing. In the co-main event, Tony Harrison will face Willie Nelson in a 10-round middleweight bout. It will air live on ESPN (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT).

                                                                                                                                                           

For information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @KeithFThurmanJr, @RealLuisCollazo, @WarriorsBoxingProm and @ESPNBoxing and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/premierboxingchampions

and www.Facebook.com/WarriorsBoxingPromo.

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