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CHRIS EUBANK JR. SCORES CAREER-DEFINING VICTORY OVER JAMES DEGALE IN SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT GRUDGE MATCH SATURDAY ON SHOWTIME® FROM THE O2 IN LONDON

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Undefeated Heavyweights Joe Joyce Knocks Out Bermane Stiverne In SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Opener


 
Watch The Encore Presentation Tonight At 10 p.m. ET/PT On SHOWTIME EXTREME®


 
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 For Photos; Credit: Ian Walton/SHOWTIME


 
LONDON – February 23, 2019 – Chris Eubank Jr. earned a career-defining victory with a hard-fought unanimous decision over British rival and former two-time world champion James DeGale in a super middleweight grudge match Saturday on SHOWTIME from The O2 in London. 


 
Eubank, the son of British boxing legend and former two-division world champion Chris Eubank Sr., floored DeGale twice en route to the clear decision, which was scored 114-112, 115-112, 117-109.  VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: https://s.sho.com/2E6mWI8


 
Working in his first bout with a full-time trainer, Eubank fought a controlled fight.  The former world title challenger floored DeGale in a rough moment in the second, stunning his rival with a big left hook against the ropes and flooring him moments later with a strong right cross that sent DeGale to the canvas for just the second fight of his career.


 
DeGale, who established his championship career as a slick southpaw, was unable to jab at range and couldn’t handle the constant pressure from Eubank.  The former Olympic Gold Medalist resorted to lunging from the outside and was largely ineffective on the inside, often clinching while in close quarters. 


 
“I knew he was going to come at me like that,” Eubank said.  “He’s a slick southpaw, but my game plan worked. Smart pressure and not getting too ahead of myself.  He’s a hell of a fighter, hell of a competitor but at the end of the day my head and my heart won this fight.”


 
“There was a lot of animosity leading to this fight.  I told him, ‘This is my time,’ and it was.  He’s a veteran of the game, he throws big shots and he manages to stay up.  To get up after those knockdowns is a statement about his tenacity and the type of fighter he is.”


 
The second knockdown came in the 10th as Eubank landed a powerful left hook that buckled DeGale with just 30 seconds left in the round.  Once again, DeGale tried to clinch to avoid the knockdown, but his hand touched the canvas and was ruled just the third knockdown of his career.


 
After the fight, DeGale, who was the first British fighter to earn an Olympic Gold Medal and a world championship, appeared to be leaning toward retirement. 


 
“I definitely I didn’t do enough,” DeGale said.  “He was on it and I didn’t do enough.  You have to do more than enough to counter someone that came forward like Chris. 


 
“I’m going to go back and talk to my team, my family, and decide.  I left my mark in boxing.  I won an Olympic Medal, two world titles and it may be the time to hang it up.”


 
While DeGale contemplates retirement, Eubank has his sights set on another shot at a world title. 


 
“This was the most important fight of my career, and I made a statement.  I’m back where I’m supposed to be, at the top of the food chain. I’m coming for all the belts in the middleweight and super middleweight division.  I’m fighting everyone they put in front of me.


 
“I’m glad to make my American debut here on SHOWTIME. I’m glad to be introduced to the American public this way – making a statement.”


 
In the opening bout of the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING doubleheader, undefeated heavyweight Joe Joyce kept his knockout record intact with a sixth-round TKO of former heavyweight world champion Bermane Stiverne.


 
After an exciting first round, Joyce opened up the action in the second with a monstrous straight right and unloaded from bell to bell against a defenseless Stiverne, who continued to punch back despite eating damaging shots.  After a series of combos in the opening minute of the third, Joyce caught Stiverne with a straight right hand to send him to the canvas for the fifth time in his professional career. Stiverne survived the round while throwing looping shots but failed to return any meaningful punches.


 
Joyce, the 2016 Olympic Silver Medalist, consistently set up a powerful straight right behind an accurate and effective left jab throughout the fight.  With Joyce (8-0, 8 KOs) continuing to tee off against a largely defenseless Stiverne, referee Howard Foster stepped in to halt the contest at 2:26 of the sixth.  Stiverne (25-4-1, 21 KOs) did not protest the stoppage.


 
“Big respect to Stiverne – like a true champion, he’s very tough and was still throwing shots, but I guess I was just a bit too much,” Joyce said.  “It was about being patient.  He’s such a tough guy that he took those shots no problem. 


 
“I was hitting him with everything I had, including the kitchen sink.  I listened to Abel (Sanchez) in the corner, did everything he said and it went well.  My jab was really effective.  I’m a seasoned vet. I picked up my poise and remained calm along the way.


 
“Big things are coming.  My next one will be for the WBA Regular (Title) and I’ll be back in the gym soon. I need to have a couple more fights like this and then I’ll be ready for the big champions.”


 
Highlights of former world champion Lee Selby’s lightweight debut were featured during Saturday’s telecast.  A former champion at featherweight, Selby (27-2, 9 KOs) overcame a second round accidental head butt to win a 12-round unanimous decision (116-112, 116-112, 115-114) over Omar Douglas (19-3, 13 KOs).


 
An encore presentation of Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING doubleheader will air tonight/Saturday at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME, Sunday at 9 a.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME and Monday at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME.


 
Veteran broadcaster Brian Custer hosted the doubleheader from London with versatile combat sportscaster Mauro Ranallo calling the action ringside alongside Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein.  Two Hall of Famers rounded out today’s telecast team – Emmy® award winning reporter Jim Gray and world-renowned ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr.  The Executive Producer was David Dinkins Jr. with Rick Phillips directing.  Saturday’s telecast was a co-production with ITV. 


 
For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports,
 
subscribe to the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing.

 

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JAMES DEGALE vs. CHRIS EUBANK JR. FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES AND PHOTOS FOR SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT SHOWDOWN THIS SATURDAY LIVE ON SHOWTIME® FROM THE O2 IN LONDON

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“It’s retirement time.  Whoever loses this fight is finished.” – DeGale


 
“There’s nothing he can do in that ring that I can’t handle.  I’m going to box his head off.” – Eubank


 
SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Begins Live At 3:45 p.m. ET/12:45 p.m. PT



Click HERE For Photos; Credit: Ian Walton/SHOWTIME


 

 
LONDON – February 21, 2019 – Former two-time super middleweight champion James DeGale and former world title challenger Chris Eubank Jr. faced off at the heated final press conference on Thursday for their 12-round showdown that headlines SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING this Saturday, February 23 live on SHOWTIME (3:45 p.m. ET/12:45 p.m. PT) from The O2 in London.


 
DeGale (25-2-1, 15 KOs) and Eubank (27-2, 21 KOs) will finally settle their long-running score when the two outspoken rivals meet in London. In the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING co-feature bout, Olympic Silver Medalist and top prospect Joe Joyce (7-0, 7 KOs) will measure against former WBC Champion Bermane Stiverne (25-3-1, 21 KOs) in a 12-round heavyweight clash.


 
Former two-division world champion, Chris Eubank Sr., was in attendance and not shy about stating this is not going to be an easy fight for his son. “This is a 50/50 fight and for the first time I am petrified of what the outcome can be.  I am petrified that Junior may not win this fight,” he said.


 
The event is promoted by Poxon Sports and presented by Premier Boxing Champions. Joyce-Stiverne is promoted in association with Ringstar Sports and Don King Productions. The doubleheader will air live in the U.S. exclusively on SHOWTIME and on ITV Box Office in the U.K.


 
Veteran broadcaster Brian Custer will host the doubleheader from London with combat sportscaster Mauro Ranallo calling the action ringside alongside Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein.  Three Hall of Famers will round out the telecast team – Emmy® award winning reporter Jim Gray, boxing historian Steve Farhood as unofficial ringside scorer, and world-renowned ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr. 


 
Here’s what the fighters and their respective camps had to say during Thursday’s press conference at Intercontinental at The O2: 


 
JAMES DEGALE:

“I vacated my title for fights like this.  Chris Eubank has been calling my name for a long time and finally I get a chance to punch him in his face.


 
“I have no respect for him.  None.  This guy is a diluted idiot.  And on Saturday night I can’t wait to deal with him.  I’m going to come and give it to him properly.  He can’t box.  We’ve all heard this before. 


 
“This is the biggest fight of his career.  It’s retirement time.  Whoever loses this fight is finished.  It’s do or die on Saturday…His retirement fight is here.  It’s his last fight, I promise you that.


 
“I’m proven.  I’ve been there, done that.  I’ve won everything.  He’s done nothing.  And I’m going to retire him.


 
“Eubank is a tough fighter, he’s strong.  He has a lot of good attributes, but I’m too good for him.  To mix it up and go to the very top you need more than strength and toughness.  Every time he’s stepped up, he’s lost. 


 
“The fear of losing is because I know what’s on the line.  This is do or die.  If I can’t beat him, if I can’t beat Chris Eubank Jr., I’m done. 


 
“A lot of people think I’ve seen better days.  A lot of people think I’m on the decline.  I’ve had issues in the past, but I can honestly say I’m fully fit.  I’m in the best shape I’ve been for a long, long time, physical and mentally.  When I feel like I feel no one can beat me.


 
“If I can’t beat Chris that means I’m shot, that means I’m over the hill.”


 
CHRIS EUBANK JR.:

“This guy is a bum.  He talks a good game.  He’s going to have a good go, but at the end of the day I’m going to be too much for him. 


 
“We are both at a stage where we can’t lose.  We are both fighting for our careers.  He knows he can’t handle me.  He’s asking himself, ‘Can I survive?’  And the answer is absolutely not.


 
“There’s nothing he can do in that ring that I can’t handle.  I’m going to box his head off. 


 
“I’ve got a full time trainer now.  For the first time in my career, I have a trainer day in and day out focusing on strategy to prepare me for what James is – a slick southpaw.  That’s why I’m so confident.  If he wants to run, we have the gameplan.  If he wants to stand and swing, we have the gameplan.  We have a plan for everything. 


 
“What matters is that James’ career is over in a few days.  I sent him a message after he lost to [George] Groves saying he needs to keep up because we are going to fight one day.  And now that we’re finally here I look into his eyes and I don’t see a confident guy. 


 
“It’s my time.  I’m expecting the best he’s ever been and that’s still not going to be enough. 


 
“I’m a world-level fighter.  Anyone in the boxing game knows that.  This is my opportunity to prove that once and for all to set the record straight and prove I’m the real deal.  I know this is a defining fight in my career.  It is do or die and I’m ready for that. 


 
“James knows what’s coming.  At the end of the day, his last performances haven’t been up to par, but i don’t think he respected his [past] opponents.  He respects me, and I respect him and that’s why this is a real fight.


 
“I’ve been in the game for a long time but this is just the beginning of a long journey for me.  This is my biggest fight.  I have to win.  If I win, I’m back on the world stage.  Beating James DeGale sets me up for a world title which is the whole reason I started in this game.”


 

 
JIM MCDONNELL:

“There are levels to boxing.  Chris was a good prospect coming through but he’s not on the same level as James.  He’ll find out what it takes to be a world champion.  James DeGale is levels above Chris Jr.


 
“Chris may have all the drive he needs but he doesn’t have the skills to beat James DeGale. 


 
“I know James is not losing.  James DeGale is probably the best British fighter I’ve seen in my country.”


 

 
CHRIS EUBANK SR.:

“I’ve seen the pinnacle of James and it’s intoxicating. With Chris, not everything I’ve said has been applied.  It may have been heard, but not applied.  What I said works. I wouldn’t have 19 championship wins if it didn’t. 


 
“I’m not convinced [Chris will win] because James DeGale has pedigree.  Being an [Olympic] Gold Medalist and former world champion is real.  I respect the man’s abilities.  Junior hasn’t. 


 
“My son looks at the physical aspect of boxing and, from a physical point of view, I don’t think there is anyone who can stand with him.  But boxing isn’t just physical – it’s also spiritual, and that’s where Junior lacks.  I don’t know whether he has that. 


 
“This is a 50/50 fight and for the first time I am petrified of what the outcome can be.  I am petrified that Junior may not win this fight. 


 
“This is the wisdom of someone who has been here.  You never underestimate your opponent based on past performances.  Anyone who thinks this guy is on a slide because of past performances is making a mistake. 


 
“From a physical aspect, Junior has the upper hand.  From a spiritual aspect and pedigree aspect, James has the upper hand, and that’s why this is a 50/50 fight.


 
“I do know Chris has learned and let’s see what is produced.  It can be a brilliant fight.”


 

 
PAULIE MALIGNAGGI:

“I like our chances.  I know the guy that I have been in camp with.  The things I’ve seen, I like. They are much more positive this time around. 


 
“You can’t underestimate a guy like Eubank.  He always comes to win.  But, regardless of the gameplan, there is a certain mentality and my guy has it.  He’s a Gold Medalist and he knows what mentality to bring on Saturday.


 
“James has won two major world titles, an Olympic Gold Medal.  Chris has had some good wins but when he went to that elite level, he lost.  Chris is a good fighter but he’s not beaten this level of opposition.”


 
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SHOWTIME SPORTS® TO PRESENT HIGHLY ANTICIPATED SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT BOUT BETWEEN JAMES DeGALE AND CHRIS EUBANK JR. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23 LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

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Two-Fight SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Telecast Includes Heavyweight Prospect Joe Joyce vs. Veteran Bermane Stiverne; Live On SHOWTIME And The Network’s Streaming Service

 

NEW YORK – February 6, 2019 – SHOWTIME Sports will present the highly anticipated super middleweight matchup between fierce British rivals James DeGale and Chris Eubank Jr. Saturday, February 23 live on SHOWTIME from London’s The O2. In the co-featured bout, fast rising prospect Joe Joyce battles former world champion Bermane Stiverne in a 12-round heavyweight clash. The event will air live on air and via the networks’ streaming service at a start time to be announced.


 
The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® event is presented by Premier Boxing Champions on ITV in the U.K. and promoted by Poxon Sports. The co-feature bout is promoted in association with Ringstar Sports and Don King Productions.

 

DeGale (25-2-1, 15 KOs) and Eubank (27-2, 21 KOs) will finally settle their long-running score when the two outspoken rivals finally go toe-to-toe in front of the excitable hometown London crowd in the all-British affair.

 

The 33-year-old DeGale was the first British boxer to win a Gold Medal in the Olympics and a world championship as a professional. He won his world title with a unanimous decision over Andre Dirrell in 2015 and made two successful defenses before fighting to a draw against Badou Jack in 2017. DeGale avenged his December 2017 loss to Caleb Truax to reclaim his IBF Super Middleweight belt in April 2018 on SHOWTIME. After voluntarily vacating the belt, DeGale stopped veteran Fidel Munoz his last time out.

 

The 29-year-old Eubank Jr., the son of former two-division world champion Chris Eubank, is highly motivated to challenge for more world titles after he lost a unanimous decision to George Groves for the WBA Super Middleweight belt one year ago. The rivalry between DeGale and Eubank has been brewing for several years after a series of run-ins. The duo has sparred each other in the gym and have traded several verbal jabs on social media. Eubank, who has been training in Las Vegas at the Mayweather Boxing Club, has won nine out of his last ten fights and has registered knockouts in eight of those wins.

 

The 6-foot-6 Joyce, of London, England, has started his professional career with a 100 percent KO rate after turning professional in 2017 at the age of 32. An accomplished amateur, Joyce claimed the super heavyweight silver medal for Great Britain at the 2016 Olympic Games. Joyce, who trains in Big Bear, Calif. under renowned trainer Abel Sanchez, knocked out Joe Hanks at 2:25 of round one in his last fight on the Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury undercard.

 

Stiverne (25-3-1, 21 KOs), who was the first ever Haiti-born boxer to own a piece of the heavyweight crown, won the WBC title with a convincing sixth-round TKO over Chris Arreola in 2014. Stiverne then lost the belt in his next fight against Deontay Wilder, despite becoming the first fighter to take the current American champion the distance. The 40-year-old has not fought since his loss in the 2017 rematch against Wilder but is anxious to bounce back with a statement win over the highly regarded Joyce. 
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DeGALE v EUBANK JR ANNOUNCED FOR 23 FEBRUARY; FIRST MAJOR UK EVENT FOR ITV AND PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS

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James DeGale and Chris Eubank Jr will clash at London’s O2 on 23 February in the first major UK event of the new deal between ITV and Haymon Sports’ Premier Boxing Champions, it has been announced. 

The Super Middleweight match, to be screened exclusively live on ITV Box Office, will take place against a backdrop of hostility between two fighters who have long made no secret of their mutual dislike and are relishing the prospect of settling their differences in the ring.

James DeGale has already fired off an opening shot in the direction of his opponent. 

He said: “Really excited and looking forward to being back home to a fight of this magnitude.  “I believe Eubank doesn’t have the pedigree, the size and skill to beat me.  “Eubank is a decent fighter but every time he has stepped up he has been found out. He has called my name for a long time so now I’ve finally got my chance to zip his lips.”

Eubank Jr responded in kind, saying: “DeGale is going to get the schooling of his career. A good old-fashioned hiding.”

Poxon Sport is the promoter of DeGale v Eubank Jr, as the exclusive promoter of all UK PBC events on ITV. 

The fighters faced off at the Hotel Café Royal, in London on Thursday, January 3rd. Live streaming of the press conference was hosted by ITV’s Gabriel Clarke on the ITV Box Office Facebook page and Youtube channel. 

Full details of the undercard and how to access this ITV Box Office PPV event across all platforms will be announced and made available in due course. For updated and further information, please go to  www.itvboxoffice.com Tickets for the fight go on sale on Friday 4 January at midday to O2 members and to the wider public at midday on Monday 7 January. Tickets available from www.AXS.com and Inner Ringside/VIP Hospitality from www.sportandmusic.co.uk.

News of the DeGale v Eubank Jr showdown follows the announcement at the end of December of two major world title fights to be shown free to air on ITV4 as part of the broad scope of the ITV and PBC deal. 

On Sunday, January 13, Jose Uzcategui defends his IBF Super Middleweight World Championship against unbeaten top challenger Caleb Plant.  Coverage will come live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. 

The following weekend, on 19 January, ITV4’s coverage will come live from Las Vegas where Manny Pacquiao will defend his WBA world welterweight title against Adrien Broner.  The exclusive ITV4 coverage will also include the much-anticipated showdown between Badou Jack and Marcus Browne for the WBA Interim Light Heavyweight title.  

Late last year, ITV announced a ground-breaking new deal with Haymon Sports and Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) to bring exclusive coverage of exciting PBC world-class boxing events to ITV viewers and fight fans in the UK. The unique collaboration is the first time that Haymon Sports and PBC has partnered with a UK broadcaster to stage boxing events regularly in the UK.

The exclusive three-year deal will guarantee a minimum of 15 televised events each year, drawing from PBC’s unrivaled group of over 160 of the best boxers in the world, which includes more than 60 current and former world champions in matches staged both in the UK and the US.

PBC, the sports’ pre-eminent boxing brand, is broadcast over cable and network television in the United States.   The world-class action from events for the next three years will include free-to-air broadcasts on ITV’s channels, including ITV main channel and ITV4 and ITV Hub, and will also include pay per views on ITV’s PPV channel, ITV Box Office. 

This new deal for boxing adds to ITV Sport’s portfolio of first class events, which includes exclusive free to air coverage of the England football team’s qualifiers for both the European Championship and World Cup, the 6 Nations and exclusive coverage of the Rugby World Cup, UK horse racing, the Tour de France and the French Open. 

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BUTLER MEETS RODRIGUEZ FOR IBF WORLD TITLE ON MAY 5

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AWE to Air Live Bellew v. Haye II, on Saturday, May 5th

 

 

The Highly Anticipated Rematch between Tony Bellew and David Haye to air Live and Exclusively on AWE
 

 

SAN DIEGO, CALIF. – April 12, 2018 -Paul Butler gets the chance to become two-time IBF World Bantamweight champion when he tackles undefeated Emmanuel Rodriguez at The O2 in London on May 5, live on AWE-A Wealth of Entertainment.

 

 

 

Butler’s clash with Rodriguez is part of a huge night of action in Greenwich as Heavyweight rivals Tony Bellew and David Haye clash in a hotly-anticipated rematch.

 

 

 

Butler landed the IBF strap in April 2014 by taking it from Stuart Hall in Newcastle before vacating the strap to move down to Super-Flyweight in March 2015 to challenge IBF champion Zolani Tete.

 

 

 

The ‘Baby Faced Assassin’ returned to 118lbs and back into title contention when he comfortably saw off Hall in a rematch in Liverpool in September, and is rated at four in the IBF, one spot behind top-rated Rodriguez.

 

 

 

The unbeaten 25 year old visitor is hotly-rated having raced to 17-0 in the paid ranks with 12 wins inside the distance, a rise all the more impressive following an amateur background that was stunted by a car accident.

 

 

 

Rodriguez’s trip to London is his first outside the Americas since turning pro and his first over the championship distance, and Butler intends to make the trip a miserable one for the Puerto Rican and reclaim his title.

 

 

 

“I’m very excited for this,” said Butler. “It’s the reason we came over to Eddie in the first place, I knew he would deliver the big fights for me. We’re just four weeks away. It’s a big test but I’m confident.

 

 

 

“It’s an honor to contest the IBF title again. I want to win it back then hopefully defend which I didn’t have the chance to do last time.

 

 

 

“It sounded a good idea at the time to vacate but looking back now I should have kept hold of the belt. I should have worked on my strength and conditioning, filled out and defended my title. I’ve definitely got some unfinished business with this – it would be brilliant to go out there and win it again.

 

 

 

“It’s a tougher test the last time I won the title, but I’m up for the challenge. I’ve improved myself. He’s touted to be this next big superstar, but how many of them come over here and get turned on their heads?

 

 

 

“I never used to look at my opponents, but since I’ve linked up with Joe he’s always sending me little clips. He looks a good kid, he likes to work at midrange but in truth I don’t want to say too much about what he does and doesn’t do well.

 

 

 

“I don’t care how big and tough he is – we both have two arms, two legs, he’s from Puerto Rico and I’m from Ellesmere Port so let’s get it on. I can see this being a very good fight, we both like to go body to head, head to body but I’ll come out being the two-time IBF World Bantamweight champion.”

 

 

 

Super-Middleweights John Ryder and Jamie Cox clash in a crucial clash in the 168lbs division and Martin J. Ward defends his European Super-Featherweight title against James Tennyson.

 

 

 

Expected start time is 3 PM ET / 12 PM PT.

 

The fight card will also be streamed live via KlowdTV on the AWE channel.

 

 

Visitwww.klowdtv.com for additional information.