boxing, NBC, Premier Boxing Champions

NOTES & QUOTES FROM DEBUT OF “PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS” ON NBC

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“Keith Thurman won the fight, Robert Guerrero won the fans.” – Marv Albert


 “This is what makes stars, this is what makes champs, coming back.” – “Sugar” Ray Leonard on Robert Guerrero


“His speed, his reflexes, his athleticism. Adrien Broner is a problem.” – B.J. Flores on Adrien Broner


PBC on NBC Returns Saturday, April 11, Live 

at 8:30 PM ET on NBC


LAS VEGAS – Mar. 7, 2015 – Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on NBC made its primetime debut tonight from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Blow-by-blow announcer Marv Albert and analyst “Sugar” Ray Leonard called the action, with Al Michaels as host, corner analysts Laila Ali and B.J. Flores, and reporter Kenny Rice.

 

The debut of PBC on NBC featured a pair of 12-round bouts – Keith Thurman‘s unanimous decision over Robert Guerrero, and Adrien Broner‘s unanimous decision over John Molina Jr. 


Following are notes and quotes from tonight’s debut telecast:

 

PBC ON NBC DEBUT


Al Michaels: “Tonight, boxing returns to primetime…in the debut of Premier Boxing Champions on NBC. This is a brand new boxing series that will showcase many of the top fighters in the sport on network television, making boxing far more accessible to fans, with less of an emphasis on jockeying for belts and more of a focus on competitive fights.”

 

“Sugar” Ray Leonard: “It doesn’t get any better than this – boxing is back on primetime TV. My career, amateur and professional, began on network television. These boxers know the power of the networks. Yesterday, they said they want to be champions and also famous. It all begins right here, right now.”

 

Michaels introducing blow-by-blow announcer Marv Albert: “And yes Marv is here, and it counts.”

 

Marv Albert on calling NBC’s last major primetime bout (Larry Holmes vs. Carl “The Truth” Williams, May 20, 1985): “Yes, I do recall very well that night in Reno, Nevada some 30 years ago….30 years ago, I was 12 at the time.”

 

Albert: “Hall of Fame referee Steve Smoger is with us [at ringside], should there be some issues, controversies, or bizarre occurrences… But that never happens in boxing.”

 

ON THURMAN-GUERRERO


Leonard on Thurman (pre-fight): “Thurman, he’s so analytical, he breaks down his opponents, he has knockout power in both hands, he puts his punches together well, and if he gets you in trouble, he’s coming after you.”

 

Leonard on Guerrero (pre-fight): “Guerrero, he went the distance with Floyd Mayweather, his defense is his offense. He’s aggressive, relentless, durable, and has never been knocked out.”

 

Leonard on Thurman in Round 1: “Most fighters have a problem with southpaws…but Thurman looks pretty good here.”

 

Leonard on Guerrero in Round 1: “Guerrero needs to use his jab to work his way inside.”

 

Albert on Thurman in Round 2: “It has been all Keith Thurman on the attack… he’s a power puncher, looks for the early knockout…he’s off to a terrific start.”

 

Steve Smoger on Thurman’s injury after an unintentional head-butt in Round 3: “If Thurman cannot continue after the 4th Round, they’ll go to the cards. That’s the situation and that’s pursuant to Nevada rule.”

 

Leonard on Thurman’s Round 4 right hand to Guerrero’s head: “Most guys would have gone down from that shot.”

 

Leonard on Thurman in Round 7: “He’s in such control.”

 

Leonard on Round 7: “Thurman can’t fall asleep on Guerrero, who still has power in both hands.”

 

Leonard on Guerrero in Round 8: “Guerrero needs to be more aggressive and cut the ring off.”

 

Leonard on Thurman in Round 8: “Thurman has taken full control of this fight.”

 

Leonard on Guerrero in Round 8: “When Guerrero lands a punch he should stay there and throw more punches, more combinations.”

 

Albert on Guerrero at the end of Round 9: “Saved by the bell.”

 

Albert on Round 10: “How about Guerrero coming back!”

 

Leonard on Guerrero in Round 10: “This is what makes stars, this is what makes champs, coming back.”

 

Leonard on Guerrero in Round 11: “The heart of Guerrero is just impressive.”

 

Albert on Round 12: “12th and final round and they continue to go at it.”

 

Albert: “Keith Thurman won the fight, Robert Guerrero won the fans.”

 

ON ADRIEN BRONER- JOHN MOLINA JR.


Leonard on Adrien Broner: “I had a little showmanship in me in my years, but Broner definitely is a showman. I knew when not to cross the line…Broner is a gifted fighter, but sometimes gets a little vulgar in his antics. I just don’t want that to overshadow his talent.”

 

Albert on Broner: “At times he has been off-the-wall outrageous.”

 

B.J. Flores on Broner (pre-fight): “His speed, his reflexes, his athleticism. Adrien Broner is a problem, and a mismatch for anybody he faces because of those natural gifts. Now, whenever he gets in the ring, he likes to stand and use those reflexes and that speed for offense, combination punching and defense.”

 

Leonard on Molina Jr. in Round 1: “He needs to make this an ugly fight.”

 

Leonard in Round 1: “Broner has the best eyes…he sees and anticipates everything coming and is able to counter those punches.”

 

Laila Ali on Round 1: “Molina’s corner is not happy with his inactivity.”

 

Ali on Molina Jr.’s inactivity after Round 6: “So far Molina has not been listening to his corner.”

Leonard in Round 8: “Molina waited too long to become an aggressor.”

 

Albert on Broner talking as fighters clinch in Round 8: “There are sweet nothings being whispered into the ear of John Molina.”

 

Albert on the fighters’ continual chatter in Round 10: “I get the idea that there is a talk show going on up there and the guests are Adrien Broner and John Molina.”

 

Smoger on the officiating in Broner-Molina Jr. in Round 10: “I just think we’ve had a bit of over-officiating. Once the referee goes in and starts to lecture, it breaks the flow of the fight and it takes the fighters out of their game plan. He’s trying to control the fight, but I think he’s over-officiating.”

 

Albert on exchange by fighters at end of the Round 10: “What a finish!”

 

Ali on Molina in the Round 11: “Joe Goossen has been pleading with John Molina to listen to him.”

 

Leonard on Molina in the Round 12: “When Molina watches the tape of this fight he’s going to be very disappointed in himself, because he has more.  He’s a warrior.”

 

Albert on Broner: “It will be a convincing victory for ‘The Problem,’ who was a problem for John Molina.”

PBC on NBC returns on Saturday, April 11 at 8:30 p.m. ET from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, as  undefeated superstar Danny “Swift” Garcia (29-0, 17 KOs) faces Lamont Peterson (33-2-1, 17 KOs), and middleweight world champion “Irish” Andy Lee (34-2, 24 KOs) takes on the undefeated Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (31-0, 22 KOs).

 

NBC and NBCSN will present 20 live PBC on NBC boxing events in 2015. Within the 20 live shows, NBC Sports Group will present more than 50 hours of PBC coverage, including NBCSN pre- and post-fight programming for NBC telecasts. The Premier Boxing Champions series is created for television by Haymon Boxing.  The PBC on NBC will feature many of today’s brightest stars, in their most compelling matches.

 

All PBC on NBC shows will be streamed live on NBC Sports Live Extra via “TV Everywhere,” giving consumers additional value for their subscription service, and making high quality content available to MVPD customers both in and out of the home and on multiple platforms. NBC Sports Live Extra is available for desktops at NBCSports.com/liveextra. The NBC Sports Live Extra app is available at the App Store for iPad and iPod touch, on select devices within Google Play, and on windows phones and tablets.
boxing, HBO Boxing

Terence Crawford vs. Thomas Dulorme Tickets Now on Sale

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Terence Crawford vs. Thomas Dulorme

Battle for Vacant WBO Jr. Welterweight Championship

Saturday, April 18

At College Park Center at University of Texas Arlington

Televised Live on HBO®

 

Tickets Go On Sale Today at 10:00 AM CT

 

ARLINGTON, TX (March 5, 2015) – Undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) lightweight champion and the Boxing Writers Association of America’s (BWAA) Fighter of the Year TERENCE “Bud” CRAWFORD is movin’ on up — to the junior welterweight division — where he will take on THOMAS “Thunder” DULORME, the No. 2-world-rated contender, for the vacant WBO junior welterweight world title.  Crawford vs. Dulorme will take place Saturday, April 18,  at College Park Center located on the campus of the University of Texas Arlington in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.  The world championship fight will be televised as part of a split site doubleheader live on HBO Boxing After Dark®, beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT.

 

Promoted By Top Rank®, in association with Gary Shaw Productions, Foreman Boys Promotions and Tecate, tickets to the Crawford-Dulorme world championship event will go On Sale This Friday, March 6 at 10:00 am CT.  Priced at $200, $100, $60, $40 and $25, plus applicable fees, tickets can be purchased at College Park Center box office, online at www.utatickets.com or www.utacollegpark.com or by phone at (817) 272-9595.

 

“I am ready to do bigger and better things at 140,” said Crawford.

 

“I’m here to prove to the world that I am the best fighter in the junior welterweight division,” said Dulorme. “Crawford has an undefeated record but he’s never won a fight at 140 lbs. I’m envisioning a hard-fought victory, one that I will bring back home to my people of Puerto Rico.”

 

“Dulorme is a good, well-rounded boxer. We are excited because the 140 pound division will bring the best out of Terence,” said Brian McIntyre, Crawford’s co-trainer and co-manager.  “The 140 division is loaded with top fighters. This is great for Terence as everyone will soon see.”

 

“Terence had a breakout year in 2014 capturing the world’s attention with three career-best world championship victories en route to earning Fighter of the Year accolades,” said Todd duBoef, president of Top Rank.  “He will be looking continue that momentum on April 18 when he returns to HBO, on the hunt for another world title against Thomas Dulorme of Puerto Rico.”

 

“I’m very pleased that I was able to get this fight done with Top Rank,” said Gary Shaw. “Terence Crawford is considered one of the best Lightweights in boxing, but he is moving up to junior welterweight where he will face a very determined and talented Thomas Dulorme, who’s undefeated at 140 pounds. I want to thank HBO for showcasing what I perceive is another great fight for the fans.  I smell an upset in the making.  This will be the start of a great run of fantastic fights for HBO.”

 

“With Terence Crawford’s star having emerged in 2014, the question now is how high that star ascends or if his opponent Thomas Dulorme will invert the trajectory,” said Peter Nelson, vice president of programming, HBO Sports. “As lightweight champion last year, Crawford earned his BWAA Fighter of the Year honors with bold, stylish victories against top competitors, a streak which continues in stride up the scale against the hungry Dulorme, who is undefeated at 140-lbs. It will be a split-site doubleheader not to be missed on our late night Boxing After Dark franchise.”

 

Crawford (25-0, 17 KOs), of Omaha, NE, makes his 2015 ring debut looking to build on his star-making 2014 which featured three world championship victories as well as Fighter of the Year honors from the BWAA and major media alike.  He began his career-best year last March 1, just 13 days short of the sixth anniversary of his professional debut.  Crawford captured the WBO lightweight title, dethroning defending champion Ricky Burns on Burns’ home turf of Glasgow, Scotland. Scoring a powerful and unanimous decision, Crawford put the boxing world on notice with his virtuoso performance as he pulled out all stops in dismantling Burns, rocking the defending champion throughout the fight, while switching back and forth between orthodox and southpaw stances.  He followed that with a dramatic and critically-acclaimed knockout victory of undefeated former world champion and Cuban Olympic gold medalist Yuriorkis Gamboa on June 28 in a Fight of the Year nominee.  It was one of the most-watched fights of the year with over 1.2 million viewers catching the live, first-time airing of the fight, according to Nielsen Media Research.  He concluded 2014 on November 29 with a thorough shellacking of one-time world title challenger and No. 1 contender Ray Beltran, winning 11 of the 12 rounds.   Crawford is only the second Nebraska native to be recognized as a boxing world champion.  Perry “Kid” Graves, from Rock Bluff, captured the welterweight crown, knocking out Johnny Alberts in Brooklyn, in 1914, according to the Omaha World-Herald.

 

Dulorme (22-1, 14 KOs), of Carolina, Puerto Rico, graduated to the professional ranks in 2008 after a stellar amateur career which included a sterling 140-2 record.  He has long been a fan-favorite of Puerto Ricans for his slick all-action fighting style.  Dulorme enters this fight riding a two-year six-bout winning streak, with his career-best victories coming in back-to-back fights in 2014 and both televised on HBO.  He opened up 2014 with a 10-round unanimous decision victory over undefeated contender Karim Mayfield to capture the NABF super lightweight title and ended the year unifying his NABF title with the NABO junior welterweight title via an exciting 10-round decision over Hank Lundy.  A consensus Top-Five contender, Dulorme is world-rated No. 2 by the World Boxing Association (WBA), No. 3 by the World Boxing Council (WBC) and No. 4 by the WBO and the International Boxing Federation (IBF).

 

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com, or www.hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook atfacebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo, facebook.com/GaryShawProductions orfacebook.com/hboboxing, and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo,twitter.com/GaryShawBoxing or twitter.com/hboboxing.  Use the Hashtag #CrawfordDulorme to join the conversation on Twitter.

M-1, M-1 Challenge, mixed martial arts

M-1 Challenge featherweight title fight Buchinger vs. Ragimov rematch M-1 Challenge 56 Co-Feature

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Presents

M-1 CHALLENGE 56

Vyacheslav Vasilevsky vs. Ramasan Emeev II

M-1 Challenge Middleweight Championship  

Ivan Buchinger vs. Tural Ragimov II

M-1 Challenge Featherweight Championship

Friday, April 10, 2015  *  Moscow, Russia

WATCH LIVE ON M1GLOBAL.TV

Vasilevsky-Emeev rematch headlines April 10 event in Moscow, Russia

(L) Ivan Buchinger and Tural Ragimoiv went toe-to-toe last October in their exciting

M-1 Challenge featherweight title fight

 

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (Mar. 6, 2015) – M-1 Global has announced a rematch between M-1 Challenge featherweight champion Ivan “Buki” Buchinger and challenger Tural Ragimov in the M-1 Challenge 56 co-feature Friday, April 10 in Moscow, Russia.

 

Another much anticipated rematch will headline M-1 Challenge 56 as M-1 Challenge middleweight champion Vyacheslav Vasilevsky (26-2-0, 10 KO/TKO, 7 SUB) defends his coveted title belt against dangerous challenger Ramasan Emeev (11-3-0, 2 KO/TKO, 5 SUB). In their first fight last September, Vasilevsky captured title belt from Emeev, by way of a fourth-round stoppage from punches, at M-1 Challenge 51: Fightspirit in St. Petersburg.

 
M-1 Challenge featherweight champion Ivan Buchinger

Last October 17 at M-1 Challenge 52: Battle of Narts, Buchinger (28-4-0, 7 KO/TKO, 16 SUB) captured the vacant M-1 Challenge featherweight title, stopping Ragimov (9-2-0, 4 KO/TKO, 4 SUB) on punches in the fourth round of the event’s Fight of the Night.

 

Fighting out of his native Slovakia, Buchinger hasn’t lost a fight in nearly 3 ½ years, winning seven in a row and 10 of his last 11.   The 29-year-old, who represents Team MMA Spirit, is undefeated in three M-1 Challenge events.

 

How tough is Ragimov? He suffered damages to both hands – fractured finger on his left, torn ligaments to the right – during his fight with Buchinger. Ragimov has a 2-1-0 record in M-1 Challenge competition.

 

Vasilevsky vs Emeev 2, M-1 Challenge 56, 10/04/15 teaser
Vasilevsky vs Emeev 2, M-1 Challenge 56

 

M-1 Challenge 56 will be streamed live in high definition on www.M1Global.TV. Viewers will be able to watch the preliminary fights and main card by logging on to register at www.M1Global.TV. Fans may watch all of the action on their computers, as well as on Andriod and Apple smart phones and tablets.

 

All fights and fighters are subject to change. Additional fights to be announced

 

Fight Network will air M-1 Challenge 55 live on Cablevision’s Optimum TV, Grande Communications, Shentel Cable and Armstrong Cable in the U.S., as well as nationwide in Canada, Roku devices across North America, and globally in more than 30 countries throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
 

Information

www.mixfight.ruwww.wmmaa.org

www.M1Global.tv

www.M-1Global.com

 

Twitter & Instagram:

 

@M1Global

@VFinkelchtein

@M1GlobalNews

 

Facebook:

 

www.facebook.com/pages/M-1-Global/145250878842244
ABOUT M-1 GLOBAL: Founded in 1997, M-1 Global has established itself in the realm of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) as the premiere entity for discovering and developing the world’s next-generation of superstar fighters. With offices in St Petersburg, Amsterdam and Los Angeles and affiliates in Seoul, Tokyo and Paris, the M-1 brand has staged more than 150 events worldwide, including the M-1 Selection, M-1 Challenge and M-1 Global and M-1 Global HWGP events, in addition to co-promoting Strikeforce events and M-1 Global on the Showtime network in the United States. Captivating live, television and broadband audiences with its superior production values and match-ups, M-1 Global events have featured some of the sport’s top names, including Fedor Emelianenko, Andrei Arlovski, Aleksander Emelianenko, Gegard Mousasi, Alistair Overeem, Keith Jardine, Ben Rothwell, Melvin Manhoef, Roman Zentsov, Yushin Okami, Mike Pyle, Denis Kang, Martin Kampmann, Amar Suloev, Chalid Arrab and Stephan Struve. 2015 promises to be another sensational year of world-class competition with a full calendar of Challenge events fueled by a talent-rich contention system ranking M-1 Global’s Champions amongst the greatest in the sport. M-1 Global’s greatest asset is renowned heavyweight fighter, Fedor Emelianenko.

 

ABOUT M-1GLOBAL.TV: Enjoy MMA action now in high definition brought to you byM-1Global.tv, offering only the best fights from M-1 Global and other MMA organizations. M-1Global.tv is a great platform developed specifically to bring together the most exhaustive fight video database. It also provides an easy and intuitive interface, helping everyone to start using the platform in no time while avoiding any spoilers. Besides watching the past fights on demand at any time convenient to the customer, viewers are able to enjoy the action LIVE, all available to M-1Global.tv users through a low-priced month to month digital subscription. Your world of action. Anytime!
Bellator, mixed martial arts, Spike TV

“Bellator: Brooks vs. Jansen” adds five new contests, including    Marcin Held vs. “Tiger” Sarnavskiy, Joey Beltran vs. Brian Rogers and more

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SANTA MONICA, Calif. (March 5, 2015) – The action-packed lineup for “Bellator MMA: Brooks vs. Jansen” continues to fill, and the latest round of additions includes a key lightweight matchup between two international contenders with a combined 50 career victories, as well as four intriguing preliminary contests.

The new matchups include a main-card lightweight contest of Marcin Held (20-3) vs. Alexander “Tiger” Sarnavskiy (30-2), as well as preliminary bouts of bantamweights Jared “The Jackhammer” Papazian (18-11) vs. Raja Shippen (14-9-1), middleweights Joey “Mexicutioner” Beltran (15-11) vs. Brian “The Professional Predator” Rogers (11-7), lightweights Saad “Assassin” Awad (17-6) vs. Rob “C4” Sinclair (12-2) and flyweights Jonathan Santa Maria (3-0) vs. Steve Ramirez (0-1).

“Bellator: Brooks vs. Jansen” takes place on Friday, April 10, at Bren Events Center in Irvine, Calif. The night’s televised main card, featuring Bellator MMA Lightweight World Champion Will Brooks vs. top contender Dave Jansen, airs live on Spike TV (9 p.m. ET), while preliminary bouts stream live on Spike.com (7 p.m. ET).

Tickets for “Bellator: Brooks vs. Jansen,” which start at just $38, are already on sale atBellator.com and Bren.UCI.edu

The 23-year-old Held, a native of Tychy, Poland, is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt who boasts one of the most dangerous submission games in the world.  A former no-gi grappling world champion, Held has been competing in mixed martial arts professionally since 2008 and has earned 11 of his 20 career wins by tapout. With just one loss in his past 11 appearances, Held owns Bellator MMA wins over Patricky Pitbull, Nate Jolly, Derek Anderson, Rodrigo Cavalheiro, Ryan Healy, Rich Clementi, Murad Machaev, Derrick Kennington and Phillipe Nover.

The 26-year-old Sarnavskiy, from Omsk, Russia, has an equally impressive record and has earned the rank of Master of Sport in hand-to-hand combat. A seven-time Bellator MMA veteran, Sarnavskiy is currently enjoying a five-fight winning streak and is 10-1 in his past 11 appearances. In his 30 career victories, 25 have come by stoppage, including 18 submissions and seven knockouts.

Papazian, of West Hills, Calif., is a seven-year veteran of the sport who has been training in martial arts since he was just 6 years old. A former King of the Cage flyweight champion, Papazian is 3-1 in his past four outings. He faces Shippen, of Lake Forest, Calif. A Reign Training Center product, Shippen is 11-1 in his past 12 appearances and has earned 13 of his 14 career wins by stoppage, including five knockouts and eight submissions.

The hard-hitting Beltran, of San Diego, Calif., Beltran is a three-time Bellator MMA veteran and former light heavyweight who now makes his first appearance in the middleweight divisions. A slugger by trade, 11 of Beltran’s 15 career wins have come by way of knockout. He now meets fellow knockout artist Rogers, of Denver, Colo. With nine Bellator MMA appearances to his name, Rogers also prefers to stand and bang and has earned nine of his 11 career wins with strikes.

Awad, of San Bernadino, Calif., is a Millennia MMA product who owns five wins under the Bellator MMA banner, four of which have come by stoppage. Fourteen of his 17 career wins have come by stoppage, including seven knockouts and seven submissions. He faces Sinclair, of Manchester, England, who is 8-1 in his past nine appearances. Ten of Sinclair’s 12 career wins have come by way of finish, including nine knockouts, and he now makes his Bellator MMA debut.

Santa Maria, of Whittier, Calif., is a Reign Training Center fighter who made his professional debut in March 2014 and has already picked up three victories, including a November win under the Bellator MMA banner. He now faces Ramirez, of Corona, Calif., who suffered a split-decision loss in his professional debut and now hopes to earn his first official career victory.

Additional contests, including one more main-card matchup, will be announced shortly

“Bellator: Brooks vs. Jansen” – Friday, April 10, Bren Events Center, Irvine, Calif.

Main Card (9 p.m. ET)

Bellator Lightweight Title Fight: Champ Will Brooks (15-1) vs. Dave Jansen (20-2)

Bellator Middleweight Feature Fight: Rafael Carvalho (10-1) vs. Joe Schilling (2-3)

Bellator Lightweight Feature Fight: Marcin Held (20-3) vs. Alexander “Tiger” Sarnavskiy (30-2)

Preliminary Card (7 p.m. ET)

Bellator Bantamweight Prelim Fight: Jared Papazian (18-11) vs. Raja Shippen (14-9-1)

Bellator Middleweight Prelim Fight: Joey Beltran (15-11) vs. Brian Rogers (11-7)

Bellator Lightweight Prelim Fight: Saad Awad (17-6) vs. Rob Sinclair (12-2)

Bellator Flyweight Prelim Fight: Jonathan Santa Maria (3-0) vs. Steve Ramirez (0-1)

 

About Bellator MMA

Bellator MMA is a leading Mixed Martial Arts organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under the direction of veteran fight promoter Scott Coker, Bellator is available to nearly 400 million homes worldwide in over 120 countries. In the United States, Bellator can be seen on Spike TV, the MMA television leader.  Bellator MMA is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, live event orchestration, fighter development/relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations.  Bellator is based in Santa Monica, California and owned by entertainment giant Viacom, home to the world’s premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms.

 

About Spike TV:

Spike TV is available in 98.7 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks.  A unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.  Spike TV’s Internet address is www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike TV’s press site at http://www.spike.com/press.  Follow us on Twitter @spiketvpr for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.
boxing, NBC, Premier Boxing Champions

PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON NBC FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & PHOTOS

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Click HERE For Photos

Photo Credit: Naoki Fukuda

 

LAS VEGAS (Thursday, March 5) – The final press conference for the inaugural Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on NBC show took place today at MGM Grand as fighters, announcers and executives spoke to the media ahead of their primetime network television debut on Saturday, March 7 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

 

Tickets for the live event are priced at $400, $300, $100 and $50, not including applicable service charges and taxes, are on sale now.  To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets are also available at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

 

This card is promoted by Goossen Promotions and features Keith Thurman vs. Robert Guerrero and Adrien Broner vs. John Molina, Jr. in fights that will air live on NBC (8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT).

 

The Abner Mares vs. Arturo Santos Reyes bout will be televised live on Saturday, March 7, on the NBC show (8:30 – 11 p.m. ET) or on the NBCSN telecast (11 p.m. ET).

 

See below for what the participants had to say about the huge night of fights.

 

KEITH THURMAN

 

“This is such a beautiful card and such a beautiful fight. We’ve wanted this for a while and we’ve been waiting patiently.

 

“Robert is a great fighter, a multiple world champion and I’m a current world champion. I know the fans wanted me to step up in class and this is my chance to do that. You know what I’m about, it’s ‘KOs for life’.

 

“I’m just really excited and happy. I can’t wait to step on the scale tomorrow, re-hydrate and go to work.

 

“If my fight goes two, six or eight rounds – I’m looking for the knockout. I’m waiting for him to slip up and for me to deliver that one time blow.

“I am going to open up my mouth and say that I am coming to knock him out. I want to be the first fighter to ever knock out Robert ‘The Ghost’ Guerrero. I appreciate him for taking this fight and for all that he has done. I know he’s coming to fight and get this victory, and it’s my job to not let that happen.”

“My brain can’t compute how big of an opportunity this is for me. It’s a blessing and an honor to be on this big of a stage. There are many world champions that could have opened up this show. This is a beautiful card and I am honored to be the main event.

“This is what boxing needs. This stage is what is going to propel my career. We’re trying to bring back the golden generation.”

ROBERT GUERRERO

 

“This truly is a blessing. Being on this stage is incredible. I’m coming to fight. On Saturdaynight I’m ready to go.

 

“It’s a great day because you don’t need cable TV to watch boxing anymore.

 

“My last opponent was tough and I was dealing with some injuries but you have to be able to overcome and make adjustments. I got a little wild and just started slugging it out with him.

 

“There were doubters when I went to 147, people thought I was nuts. Every time people don’t think I can do something, I prove them wrong.

 

“If you live the lifestyle of a fighter; you should be able to fight regularly.

 

“I’m ready to go. I had a great training camp and worked very hard. It’s time to take care of business Saturday night. We did a lot of different work in training camp to prepare for this fight.

 

“Keith Thurman is talking about coming out and becoming the first person to knock me out. I like that type of challenge.

 

“[Keith] Thurman is very strong and has great lateral movement. He can box, fight on the inside. There are also a lot of flaws with his game and we are going to take advantage of his flaws.

 

“This fight card is incredible. The exposure that we are going to get is unprecedented. Not just the fight story but my back story as well, with what kind of men we are outside of the ring.

 

“Being out there talking to everybody and showing off, that’s just not me. So sometimes I’m not always in the public eye, because I’m more of a private man who takes care of his family. But I’m glad this stage will get my story and my wife’s story to the general public.

 

“Mentally the whole experience of what my wife went through makes me tougher. Watching her fight for her life, it makes me realize that I step into the ring because I love this sport.”

 

ADRIEN BRONER

 

“I’ve been through a lo,t but I’m still here and my name has only gotten bigger, even through the bad times.

 

“Now we have ‘AB on NBC.’ I’m Mr. NBC, everybody is coming to see the AB Show.

 

“I’ll takeover whatever television channel I’m on, I don’t care if its Cartoon Network, I’m going to bring it.

 

“John Molina is a tough world class fighter, he wouldn’t be in this position if he wasn’t. He always beats the odds and comes out on the right side of the stick, but this is the time where he’s going to be on the bad end of the stick.

 

“We’re ready for a dog fight, it doesn’t matter how big the ring is. We’re not running from John Molina. I’m not scared of power.

 

“We’ll see Saturday night, I’m stopping John Molina and I’m putting my word on that.

 

“The preparation during this camp was great, I feel strong and ready. It’s going to be a great fight.

 

“At the end of the day if people say I haven’t looked my best because I haven’t stopped my opponents, but when you look at those fights I outclassed every opponent in front of me. As long as I keep winning, that’s what matters.

 

“John Molina is going to come to fight, but they all come to fight, he’s not going to beat me.

 

“The sky is the limit for me, I’m still young and I’ve done so much at a young age. I’m going to mature in the sport but at the end of the day I’m still me.”

 

JOHN MOLINA JR.

 

“It’s an honor to be part of this show that will bring boxing back to the forefront. We’re well prepared and excited to be on this platform.

 

“It’s a great card with a can’t miss show and PBC and NBC is doing it right. I can’t wait to be a part of it and for that bell to ring March 7.

 

“Camp went well and we’re 110 percent ready to bring it. It’s a great card with a can’t miss show and PBC and NBC are doing it right. I can’t wait to be a part of it and for that bell to ring March 7.

 

‘This is going to be dogfight on Saturday night.

 

‘He’s the same Broner, he can say whatever he wants. He’s made his own bed with his comments and now he has to fight. His mind games that’s he trying to play won’t work.

 

“Once we get in the ring, the talking stops, two hands just like me.

 

“I’ve got the power and the skills to win this fight.

 

“Enjoy the show and I promise you guys fireworks.”

 

ABNER MARES

 

“I’ve been a three-time world champion and I have Arturo Reyes in front of me. It’s with honor and please and excitement to be fighting on NBC.

 

“No disrespect to the other guys up here, but I plan to steal the show. I want to look good. I’ve stolen the show before and it’s going to happen again on Saturday night.

 

“I hope everyone tunes in Saturday night, everybody better watch out because Abner Mares is going to impress.

 

“Any of these fights could be main events, no matter the order, so I’m just happy to be a part of it. A lot of people are going to be tuning in so you have to fight to grab the attention of the viewers.

 

“It takes two to dance and it takes two to fight. When you have a fighter who is going to give you his all, it brings the best out of you. I’m fighting someone who’s never been knocked out and he’s going to bring the best Abner Mares out.

 

“I’m going to make it a spectacular fight and I’m definitely going for the knockout.”

 

ARTURO SANTOS REYES

 

“I’m happy to be on the card and I’m excited to be here around such great fighters.

 

“It’s going to be a great show and I’m looking forward to giving the fans their money’s worth.

 

“Abner Mares is a great fighter, but I don’t fear anybody. He better come to fight.

 

“We’re both Mexican warriors and Mexican Olympians, so you know there’s going to be fireworks in the ring and I just hope everyone in the arena and on TV enjoys.”

 

SUGAR RAY LEONARD, PBC on NBC Analyst and Legendary Boxer

 

“I’m just as excited as everyone else, because this is long overdue. Getting boxing back on primetime. These incredibly talented boxers know that this Saturday night is like a major audition and the fans will be the judges.

 

“I remember being in this position and It’s more than physical, it’s mental. These boxers have what it takes to be superstars. Saturday will be a great day for boxing.”

 

JON MILLER, President, Programming NBC Sports & NBCSN

 

“On behalf of NBC sports we’re exited to be here, we’re fortunate to have 22-time Emmy-award winner Sam Flood overseeing the event and an A-list group of on-air talent.

 

“I think America is ready to see boxing in primetime and Saturday you will see and hear an unbelievable event.

 

“We’re thrilled that these fighters and their great teams are part of the NBC family and we can’t wait to get going.”

 

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.nbcsports.com/boxing and www.goossenpromotions.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @KeithFThurmanJr, @GhostBoxing, @AdrienBroner, @JohnMolinaJr135, @abnermares, @NBCSports and @MGMGrand and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions and www.facebook.com/NBCSports.
Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, New England Fights, women's MMA

MAINE’S FIRST COUPLE OF THE NEF MMA CAGE

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Randi Beth Knowles and Bruce Boyington

Lewiston, Maine (March 5, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine on April 11, 2015 with its seventeenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event.  The fight card will feature Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (10-7) defending the NEF MMA Lightweight Title against number-one contender Jamie Harrison (5-1) in the main event.  In addition, Boyington’s wife, Randi Beth Knowles (0-0), will make her amateur MMA debut against Alex Walker (0-0) in the female 115-pound strawweight division.  It will be the first time a couple has competed together on an NEF fight card.

 

Knowles is currently training under her husband at Boyington’s Taekwondo Academy and Young’s MMA in Bangor, Maine.  A regular at bodybuilding and fitness competitions across the region, Knowles is no stranger to performing before large audiences.  She has been cage-side for many of Boyington’s past bouts, and she welcomes the challenge that will come when she finds herself on the other side of the cage wall on April 11.

 

“After watching so many of Bruce’s fights, I couldn’t be more excited to get a taste of what it’s like on the inside of the cage,” exclaimed Knowles.  “I’ve always liked being tested with the toughest challenges possible.  I thank NEF for bringing women’s MMA to Maine as well as big thank you to Portland Nutrition Corner, Abbott Insulation Plus, Lewis Used Car Sales, Jes & Toby for all their support.”

 

Knowles’ opponent, Alex Walker, is not to be taken lightly.  Walker trains out of the Kaze Dojo in Lancaster, New Hampshire.  Coming in from out-of-town for the fight, Walker relishes in playing the role of underdog and hopes to also play the role of spoiler on April 11.

 

“I come from a town of 2,500 people,” said Walker.  “Nobody expects me to do well. Nobody ever expects our team to be able to hang with bigger gyms. I like it when people underestimate us, it motivates me.”

 

NEF’s next MMA event, “NEF XVII,” is scheduled to take place onApril 11, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.  Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (10-7) will defend the NEF MMA Lightweight Title against number-one contender Jamie Harrison (5-1).  In addition, Jarod “Last Minute” Lawton (4-1) meets Dennis Olson (12-7) in a welterweight contest.  Tickets for “NEF XVII” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling The Colisee box office at 207.783.2009 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.

boxing

Dawejko sees major opportunities in future but first must get by Umohette this Friday at 2300 Arena in Philadelphia

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Philadelphia (March 5, 2015 ) – This Friday night at the 2300 Arena in South Philadelphia, streaking Heavyweight Joey Dawejko (13-3-2, 6 KO’s) of Philadelphia takes on Enobong Umohette (9-2, 8 KO’s) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin in a bout scheduled for 8-rounds.
Dawejko will be looking for his fourth consecutive first round knockout and he just completed a month long training camp in Easton, PA.
The camp consisted of all members of Mark Cipparone’s Club 1957 Management and provided a good atmosphere that consisted of as many as a dozen boxers.
“Training camp went great.  My whole team was there and I am ready to go forFriday,” said Dawejko.
In Umohette, Dawejko is fighting a guy that he does not know much about other then he has fought mostly in the Midwest and holds a knockout over former U.S. Olympian, Dante Craig.
“There isn’t much tape on him.  He is about 6-feet tall and he must be able to punch a little bit based on his record.”
Should the former world Jr. Amateur champion be victorious, he could be in line for a May 8 showdown with Amir Mansour in a bout that would be part of an ESPN Friday Night Fights card.
“It wasn’t too hard to stay focused on this fight.  I need this fight to put me in position for whatever fight is being talked about.”
Even though Dawejko’s last three bouts have ended before the end of the first round, he never goes in looking for the early stoppage.
“I never go into any fight looking to knock anyone out.  We train for 8 rounds or more and if it comes, it comes.”
Dawejko will be fighting extra hard as he and his fiancee Maria are expecting their 2nd child around April 9.
He did not want to talk too much about Mansour, but Mansour artist will be ringside calling the action on gfl.tv and Comcast and when asked if Dawejko would have anything to say to Mansour, “I think it is great that Amir will be ringside so he can witness what he can look forward to on May 8.”
Said Dawejko’s manager Mark Cipparone of Club 1957 Management,” The reality is that Joey Dawejko “The Tank” has created a well deserved buzz in boxing once again. I am sure that his last 3 fights ending in first round explosive KO’s have something to do with it! And today, I can’t seem to go anywhere without someone asking me when “The Tank” will be fighting again? It’s exciting because Joey has renewed interest to many in boxing ranging from the dedicated fan to the new comer and everyone in between. Everyone wants to see Joey fight!

As a hands on manager I spend a lot of time in the gym measuring boxers and Joey clearly has above average speed, above average power and most important he has an extremely high boxing IQ. As a result of this, Joey has earned both my attention and my full support and I am proud of his accomplishments. Stay tuned because the best is yet to come as great things are ahead for “Team Dawejko”.
Dawejko is promoted by Peltz Boxing.
Joey Dawejko 022115
Joey Dawejko 
Club 1957 Management was founded in 2013 by local businessman Mark Cipparone.  Cipparone is the owner of the widely successful and popular Rocco’s Collision.  Since the formation of Club 1957 Management he has guided the careers of some the top fighters in the country.  Currently he manages Heavyweight Joey Dawejko, Welterweight Raymond Serrano, Jr. Lightweight Tevin Farmer and Jr. Lightweight Jason Sosa and others.
boxing

Baltimore Boxing Presents Snap, Crackle and Pop March 27!

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Baltimore, MD (March 4, 2015) – Baltimore Boxing Promotions will present another evening of action-packed fights when “Snap, Crackle and Pop” takes over Michael’s Eighth Avenue in Glen Burnie, MD Friday, March 27.

 

Tickets are on sale now by calling 410-375-9175 or going to Baltimoreboxing.com. Individual tickets start at $25 and VIP tables of 10 are available for $500. All VIP ticketholders can enjoy free hors d’oeurves from 7-8 pm and the best seats in the house. VIP ticketholders will also be able to participate in a special meet and greet with 5-time world champion Vinny Paz, who will be signing autographs, discussing his upcoming movie and wine company.

 

Doors open at 6:30 PM and the first bout begins at 8.

 

On January 23, Baltimore Boxing Promotions entertained a full house at Michael’s Eighth, creating a high demand for a quick return.

 

In the main event of the evening, popular junior middleweight Joey “Bazooka Joe” Veazey of the Baltimore Boxing Gym faces Lamont White of Washington, DC. Known for his loyal fan base, Veazey was scheduled to fight on the 23rd but was forced to withdraw due to an injury. Last year, Veazey captured the silver medal at the National Junior Golden Gloves. Having won many tournaments since he started boxing as a young child, Veazey is on the path to stardom.

 

Veazey and White battle it out for the East Coast Junior Middleweight crown.

 

Heavyweight slugger and former football standout Sam “Vanilla Gorilla” Crossed will defend his East Coast title vs Jeff Knight in the co-featured bout of the evening. In 2013, Crossed made national headlines by scoring the fastest knockout in history, demolishing Adrian Bean in four seconds.

 

Allen “The Hampden Hammer” Burris meets Tyrone “Jitter Bug” Jones and Courtney Hartlove squares off against Somer “Thunderstorm” Smith in a special attraction ladies bout.

 

Former college basketball standout Stefon McCray, Joe Nolan, Ed Park, Steve Layer, Melad Attashy and 2015 Golden Gloves Champion Tommy Coe Jr. will also appear on the card.

 

In association with this solid evening of fights, Baltimore Boxing is hosting a special 50/50 raffle for the Brooke and Nathan Fenush Scholarship Fund. The fund was created to assist Baltimore County Fire Department Lieutenant Paul Fenush, whose wife recently passed away.

 

“I’m looking forward to another great event on the 27th,” said promoter Jake Smith. “Last time, we had a packed house and everybody wanted to know when our next show was. I am also proud to be assisting Paul Fenush’s family. People take for granted that firefighters are real American heroes that have saved countless families from dangerous situations. It’s my pleasure and honor to help in whichever way I can.”

Bellator, mixed martial arts, Spike TV

“Bellator: Warren vs. Galvao” gets eight new matchups, including  L.C. Davis vs. Hideo Tokoro, Emmanuel Sanchez vs. Alejandro Villalobos

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SANTA MONICA, Calif. (March 5, 2015) – The 12-bout lineup for Bellator MMA’s return to WinStar World Casino is now complete with the addition of an eight-fight preliminary lineup.

The new matchups include bantamweights L.C. Davis (22-6) vs. Hideo Tokoro (32-27), featherweights Emmanuel “El Matador” Sanchez (9-1) vs. Alejandro Villalobos (17-3), welterweights Sean Holden (2-1) vs. Tim Roman (2-1), middleweights Neal Ewing (5-0) vs. Logan Nail (1-0), heavyweights Rashad Coulter (4-1) vs. Jeremiah O’Neal (13-24), featherweightsStephen “The Fear” Banaszak (3-4) vs. Brad Mitchell (4-1), flyweights Klayton Mai (6-1) vs.Xavier “Young Guns” Siller (5-3) and bantamweights J.P. Cole (2-2) vs. Geo Pacurariu (8-4).

The new bouts make up the Spike.com-streamed preliminary card (6:30 p.m. ET) of “Bellator: Warren vs. Galvao,” which takes place on Friday, March 27, at WinStar World Casino in Thackerville, Okla. The night’s televised main card, featuring Bellator MMA Bantamweight World Champion Joe Warren vs. top contender Marcos Galvao, airs live on Spike TV (9 p.m. ET).

Tickets for “Bellator: Warren vs. Galvao,” which include VIP Seating for just $75, are already on sale at Ticketmaster.com and Bellator.com.

Davis, of Kansas City, Mo., is a nine-year veteran of the sport who is currently 6-1 in his past seven appearances, including a pair of wins under the Bellator MMA banner. He now meets 14-year Japanese veteran Tokoro, a longtime mainstay in his native country who now makes his Bellator MMA debut.

Sanchez, a 24-year-old Roufusport fighter from Milwaukee, Wisc., made his Bellator MMA debut in October 2013 and scored a first-round submission win over Stephen Banaszak. He currently boasts a five-fight winning streak that includes four first-round stoppages. He now meets Costa Rican fighter Villalobos, who is 11-1 in his past 12 fights and has earned 16 of his 17 career wins by stoppage, including nine knockouts and seven submissions.

Coulter, of Dallas, Texas, has earned all four of his career victories by way of knockout, though his lone career loss came by way of submission. That could prove a key factor when he meets O’Neal, of Palestine, Texas, who owns 11 of his 13 career victories by tapout.

Holden, of Dallas, Texas, earned victory in his first two career outings but now looks to rebound from a February 2014 submission loss. He now faces Roman, of Greenville, Texas, who has taken an exact opposite career path, losing his professional debut but since bouncing back with back-to-back victories.

The undefeated Ewing, of Dallas, Texas, has earned all five of his career wins by way of stoppage, including three submissions and two knockouts. He now faces Nail, of Sherman, Texas, who earned a TKO win in his February 2014 debut and now looks to build on that result.

Banaszak, of Bells, Texas, is a three-time Bellator MMA veteran who has yet to go to a judges’ decision in seven professional contests. He now faces Mitchell, of Dallas, Texas, who makes his Bellator MMA debut on the strength of a two-fight winning streak.

Mai, of Dallas, Texas, is a grappling ace who’s earned five of his first six career wins by submission and who has yet to fight to a judges’ decision. His opponent, Siller, of Abilene, Texas, has been equally active in his career, also ending every fight – win or lose – before the final bell.

Cole, of Frisco, Texas, and Romanian import Pacurariu, who now lives and trains in Dallas, Texas, each make their Bellator MMA debut.

“Bellator: Warren vs. Galvao” – Friday, March 27, WinStar World Casino, Thackerville, Okla.

Main Card (9 p.m. ET)

Bellator Bantamweight Title Fight: Champ Joe Warren (12-3) vs. Marcos Galvao (16-6-1)

Bellator Bantamweight Feature Fight: Eduardo Dantas (16-4) vs. Mike Richman (18-5)

Bellator Light Heavyweight Feature Fight: Francis Carmont (22-10) vs. Guilherme Viana (6-1)

Bellator Lightweight Feature Fight: Dakota Cochrane (18-7) vs. Ryan Couture (9-3)

Preliminary Card (6:30 p.m. ET)

Bellator Heavyweight Prelim Fight: Rashad Coulter (4-1) vs. Jeremiah O’Neal (13-24),

Bellator Welterweight Prelim Fight: Sean Holden (2-1) vs. Tim Roman (2-1)

Bellator Middleweight Prelim Fight: Neal Ewing (5-0) vs. Logan Nail (1-0)

Bellator Featherweight Prelim Fight: Emmanuel Sanchez (9-1) vs. Alejandro Villalobos (17-3)

Bellator Featherweight Prelim Fight: Stephen Banaszak (3-4) vs. Brad Mitchell (4-1)

Bellator Bantamweight Prelim Fight: L.C. Davis (22-6) vs. Hideo Tokoro (32-27)

Bellator Flyweight Prelim Fight: Klayton Mai (6-1) vs. Xavier Siller (5-3)

Bellator Bantamweight Prelim Fight: J.P. Cole (2-2) vs. Geo Pacurariu (8-4)

About Bellator MMA

Bellator MMA is a leading Mixed Martial Arts organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under the direction of veteran fight promoter Scott Coker, Bellator is available to nearly 400 million homes worldwide in over 120 countries. In the United States, Bellator can be seen on Spike TV, the MMA television leader.  Bellator MMA is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, live event orchestration, fighter development/relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations.  Bellator is based in Santa Monica, California and owned by entertainment giant Viacom, home to the world’s premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms.

 

About Spike TV:

Spike TV is available in 98.7 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks.  A unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.  Spike TV’s Internet address is www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike TV’s press site at http://www.spike.com/press.  Follow us on Twitter @spiketvpr for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.
boxing

Andrade issues unification Title fight challenge to Lara

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DEMETRIUS ‘Boo Boo’ ANDRADE  

WBO Junior Middleweight Champion & 2008 U. S. Olympian
PROVIDENCE (March 4, 2015) – Undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior middleweight champion Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade (21-0, 14 KOs) has challenged World Boxing Association titlist Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara (20-2-2, 12 KOs) to a unification title fight in April or May.

 

Andrade, the 2008 U.S. Olympian and 2007 World Amateur Championships gold medalist, and three-time Cuban National amateur champion Lara have traded barbs through the media this week.

 

Andrade says Lara has been running from him, while Lara claimed he’s not worried about fighting the gifted New Englander, calling him a “spoiled brat”.

 

In a statement, Lara said Andrade turned down an ESPN2 fight with him and that he “whooped that ass for free in the amateurs.” Lara also questioned who, in comparison, Andrade has fought. He also said Andrade pulled out of the biggest fight of his career against Lara’s stablemate, Jermell Charlo, implying that Andrade reneged on a signed contract.

 

For the record, Lara defeated Andrade in the 2007 Pan-Am Qualifier, 9-4, in a match held in Venezuela, however, Andrade’s manager Ed Farris was quick to add, “First of all, when did Lara ever whoop Demetrius’ ass? Does Lara mean in the amateurs when he ran away from him for three rounds? Their five-year age difference was significant in the amateurs because Demetrius was still a teenager and, even then, Lara needed overseas judges to steal that decision.  Lara landed something like nine total punches during the entire fight.  If that’s an ass kicking, well, count us in!”

 

Farris also added that the fight between Lara and Andrade should be easy to make. “Only a few days ago,” Farris noted, “Lara mentioned that he was willing to fight Demetrius in the past for only $15,000. So, I’m sure HBO or Showtime will gladly accommodate his request.”

 

Andrade captured the vacant WBO title November 9, 2013 by way of a 12-round decision over previously unbeaten Vanes Martirosyan (33-0-1), the same fighter Lara struggled with in a nine-round draw. Andrade’s most recent fight was last June in his first title defense against mandatory challenger Brian Rose (25-1-1), in which Andrade looked sensational in a seventh-round knockout of the Brit.

 

Point-by-point, Andrade countered Lara’s erroneous allegations and unsubstantiated claims. “When was this imaginary fight offer two years ago on ESPN,” Andrade asked rhetorically. “You and I both know that never happened, Lara.  I sure as hell never saw any offer to fight Lara on ESPN. Who have I fought? I only need to mention one name: I beat Vanes Martirosyan, the guy Lara couldn’t beat!  Lara was lucky enough to get a draw because he RAN around the ring for the first half of the fight instead of fighting. But, hey, that’s what Lara does. Just ask ‘Canelo‘ (Alvarez) and boxing fans who watched their fight.

 

“Lara said anytime, anywhere.  How about April or May if he needs more time to hit the track and get extra laps in? One more thing, Lara, I have NEVER walked away from a signed contract. EVER! You probably never stopped running around long enough to even know that.  The only contract I ever signed to fight Charlo was a month ago and Charlo declined.  Lara said I signed a contract to fight Charlo before that. If he can show me an agreement that I signed to fight Charlo on December 13th, I promise to stop calling him out. Lara, you can run – everybody knows you do — but you can’t hide. We have unfinished business to take care of.”

 

Lara’s powerful adviser, Al Haymon, has a slew of television dates, including April 18on Showtime in Carson, California. Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. faces Andrjej Fonfarain the main event but a co-main event hasn’t been announced.

 

“Lara will not be able to handle Demetrius’ size and strength,” Farris remarked, “and sooner or later Demetrius will catch him. The only time Lara stood and fought, he got his ass handed to him by (Alfredo) Angulo.  The ONLY reason he got out of that fight alive is because Angulo suffered an eye injury at the end.  Otherwise, Lara was headed to the canvas again for a third time and anyone that saw that fight knows it.”

 

Follow Demetrius Andrade on Twitter @BooBooBoxing.

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