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Sugar Ray Leonard & Thomas Hearns, Two Hall of Fame Welterweight Champions, Weigh-In on the Keith Thurman-Shawn Porter 147-Pound Championship Battle at Barclays Center on Saturday, June 25 Live on CBS

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“The winner of Thurman-Porter will immediately move into the
welterweight penthouse.”  – Leonard
“I know that Porter and Thurman both have the ability to get each other out of there. It’s going to be a matter of who gets to who first.” –Hearns
NEW YORK (JUNE 20, 2016) – Sugar Ray Leonard and Thomas “Hitman” Hearns might be uniquely qualified to talk about what WBA welterweight champion Keith “One Time” Thurman and “Showtime” Shawn Porter are thinking and feeling heading into their battle that pits two men against each other who are in their primes in a highly charged battle for supremacy in the talent-laden welterweight division.
The highly anticipated showdown headlines SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® on CBS presented by Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) with televised coverage starting at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
Leonard had a record of 30-1 with 21 KOs and held the WBC welterweight title when he took on Hearns, who was 32-0 with 30 KOs and held the WBA title, in a 15-round title unification match in Las Vegas on September 16, 1981. The match was billed as “The Showdown” and had a worldwide television audience of 300 million.
The fight was a pitched back-and-forth battle, but Hearns appeared to be in control having won rounds nine through 12 on all three judges’ scorecards. It was between rounds 12 and 13 that Leonard’s trainer, the late Angelo Dundee, famously screamed at Leonard: “You’re blowing it now, son! You’re blowing it!”
Leonard, with his left eye badly swollen, turned the tide in the 14th round by staggering Hearns with an overhand right and then pinning Hearns on the ropes and unleashing a barrage of punches, which prompted referee Davey Pearl to stop the fight, giving Leonard the victory and making him the undisputed welterweight champion and king of the division. At the time of the stoppage Hearns was leading on all three scorecards – 124-122, 125-122 and 125-121.
“It was the toughest fight of my life. It took every ounce of will and strength to beat Tommy Hearns. I couldn’t have taken that many of those in my career,” Leonard said. “The Tommy Hearns fight was the one that propelled me to the penthouse.”
Leonard felt like the victory over Hearns launched him into superstardom. He believes the same thing awaits the winner of Thurman-Porter.
Hearns on the fight: “I wanted to show my world my boxing ability. They knew I could knock people out, but they didn’t know that I could box very well.”
Both Leonard and Hearns said they are anxiously awaiting the match between Thurman and Porter because they believe it will hold just as much drama as their match 35 years ago.
“Yeah, you can make the comparison,” Leonard said. “Both guys are at the top of the welterweight division. The only thing that’s different is that me and Tommy were so well known by sports fans. We were on TV a lot, and that’s what built our names and gave people the chance to see us so much. And that’s what they’re doing now with the PBC and the shows being on network TV. This could be a fight like ours. Who knows? But I do know that the fans are waiting on this fight.”
HOW DO YOU PREPARE TO FACE THE BEST MAN IN YOUR DIVISION?
 
HEARNS: “It’s always hard to get prepared for someone like that because you think about what the outcome is going to be and what are your chances of winning the fight. I never thought about losing, but I thought about what my chances were.
I knew if I went out and boxed the way I knew I could box, I would beat Ray. Just the thought of fighting Ray brought a lot of questions to my mind. Some I had answers to and some I didn’t have. Most other guys I knew I could go out there and knock them out.”
WHAT EXCITES YOU ABOUT THIS MATCHUP?
LEONARD: “Just the heart of Keith and Shawn. Both of these guys have heart and both have that will. That composure. You can’t teach composure. It’s something that you either have or you don’t. You can’t learn that. That deep, deep composure when your left eye is closed and your liver is busted and you got to get up on the canvas.”
HEARNS: “I know Thurman and Porter have the ability to get each other out of there. It’s going to be a matter of who gets to who first. I’m definitely watching. I hope to be there in person.”
HOW IMPORTANT IS THE MENTAL ASPECT OF THIS MATCH?
 
HEARNS: “I know what it’s like to go against somebody that people don’t think you can beat. You have to prepare for that. It’s a mental stage that you go through, how you prepare your mind. If you can control your mind and tell your body what you’re going to do, then you can do it. You can’t worry about how good the other guy can punch. Just stay out of the way. Keep on laying that stick on him and he won’t be able to punch you.”
WHAT WAS YOUR MENTALITY GOING INTO THE MATCH AGAINST LEONARD?
 
HEARNS: “I didn’t come to go 12 or 15 rounds. I came to whip your butt and go home. I had no desire to go 15 rounds. I trained for it, but I was never going 15 rounds.”
WHAT WAS YOUR MENTALITY GOING INTO THE MATCH AGAINST HEARNS?
LEONARD: “I felt that I could beat anyone. My brother Roger didn’t think I could beat Tommy. He didn’t tell me that until it was over. In training camp I used to box Roger and he would land a lot of right hands. He figured if Tommy’s right hand landed on me it would be over. My brother didn’t have much confidence in me.”
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, start at $49 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, www.barclayscenter.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.
boxing, CBS Boxing, Premier Boxing Champions, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

Keith Thurman Quotes & Photos From St. Petersburg, Fla. Media Day

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Welterweight World Champion Battles Shawn Porter Live on CBS
Saturday, June 25 From Barclays Center in Brooklyn
 
“This is a chance to showcase our talents and our skills to the world…
I’m definitely going for the knockout.” Thurman
 
Click HERE for Photos from Eric Walker/Premier Boxing Champions
(Photos to be added shortly)
 
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (June 8, 2016) – Welterweight world champion Keith Thurman opened training camp to media today in St. Petersburg as he prepares to defend his title against former world champion Shawn Porter on Saturday, June 25 in the main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® on CBS, presented by Premier Boxing Champions, from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. PT with a featherweight world title showdown between current champion Jesus Cuellar and former three-division world champion Abner Mares.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, start at $49 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, www.barclayscenter.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.
Born and raised in the area, Thurman worked out at St. Pete Boxing Club along with longtime trainer Dan Birmingham as he prepared for his primetime battle against the strong and dangerous Porter.
Here is what the participants had to say Wednesday:
KEITH THURMAN
“Muhammad Ali opened up the door for so many people. Michael Jordan changed the game in our era, but Ali did it so long ago. He showed people that boxing is a great sport and can be the most entertaining sport in the world.
“For me, it’s almost like a dream come true. It’s surreal. I remember at an early age in boxing saying, ‘I want to be the guy that brings boxing back.’ I’m really blessed to be where I am in my career. For all the fighters who could end up on this stage, I’m proud that I’ve been chosen.
“I’ve always considered myself a knockout artist. Back to when I was a teenager knocking out grown men in headgear. Ever since then, I’ve been dropping people like a bad habit.
“I love being a power-puncher. My favorite fighter of all time is Mike Tyson. One of my goals that I set when I was a kid was to have more knockouts than Mike Tyson throughout my career.
“I’m ready for Shawn Porter. We’re going to box harder, box stronger and box better. I will be the better man.
“Training is the fundamentals of getting one prepared. We’ve always known that Shawn Porter was going to come into this fight in tremendous shape. That’s what his training methods are all about. But the Energizer Bunny has never been hit by Keith Thurman, and I’m pretty sure I could stop it in its tracks.
“I’m going for the knockout. I’ve stated it before. My hands are itching for a knockout. I’m ‘One Time,’ all the time. That’s my philosophy. Every single time I step into the ring I’m looking for the knockout. We don’t get paid for overtime.
“This is an opportunity to showcase our talents and our skills to the world. The winner will have an opportunity to be the head guy in the sport. I’ve always wanted to have a legacy in the sport of boxing.
“I want to be the undisputed welterweight champion of the world. That’s my ultimate goal. There have only been so many in the history of boxing. I want to be a part of that history.”
DAN BIRMINGHAM, Thurman’s Trainer
“Keith is a guy who deserves to be on this stage. He has a lot of experience and he’s come into his own. This is the kind of thing that happens when you work hard.
“Life happens. Keith was involved in the accident and so we took the necessary rest. He saw the right doctors and we’re back now. We’re ready for Shawn Porter.
“We’re constantly conditioning. We’re working on attacking his style. He’s a short, come-forward brawler who’s going to try to come into Keith’s chest and make it a war. We’re making out adjustments.
“Keith has to be busier, more in charge fighter. He has to work off of his jab and then his power will keep Porter at bay.”
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Barclays Center’s BROOKLYN BOXING™ programming platform is presented by AARP. PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.
For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports and www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @KeithFThurmanJr, @ShowtimeShawnP, @AbnerMares, @LouDiBella, @BarclaysCenter and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports, www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment and www.facebook.com/BarclaysCenter.
boxing, CBS Boxing, Premier Boxing Champions

FOUR WEEKS OUT AND WELTERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION KEITH THURMAN COMES IN ON HISTORICAL HIGH WITH MORE THAN 50 YEARS OF BOXING IN HIS CORNER FOR THE FIRST PRIMETIME FIGHT ON CBS IN NEARLY 40 YEARS

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Thurman’s Training Camp In Full Swing In Florida;
June 25 Title Defense Against Shawn Porter
On SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® On CBS,
Presented By Premier Boxing Champions
 
 ‘I can’t help but think about this being my 20th year in boxing. For this fight I’m just going to be me,
 just going to be Keith Thurman.’ – Thurman

Click here for photos
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (June 2, 2016) – Keith Thurman, the reigning WBA Welterweight World Champion, is four weeks out from his June 25 title defense against Shawn Porter and has his 20-year career in boxing on his mind heading into the crucial showdown.
Thurman will be headlining on CBS live from Barclays Center in Brooklyn with televised coverage starting at 9 p.m. EST/6 p.m. PST.  Tickets can be purchased online by visiting
www.ticketmaster.com, www.barclayscenter.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.
“It’s been an amazing journey and no one predicted this better than my first coach Ben Getty,” said 27-year-old Thurman. “It puts me in a state of gratitude for Ben. He told everyone I’d be world champ, and here I am, defending my title against Shawn Porter. I am just starting to see what Ben Getty saw in me and the mark that I can make in boxing.”
Thurman isn’t the only one celebrating a boxing anniversary – his trainer of 13 years and Florida Hall of Fame elected boxing trainer Dan Birmingham, who trained former champion Winky Wright, has been in the sport for 50 years, and assistant trainer Chris Getty has grown up with Thurman in the sport through his father Ben Getty.  The fight also is the first primetime fight on CBS in almost 40 years since the Muhammad Ali vs. Leon Spinks from Las Vegas.
Now, 20 years after Ben Getty introduced Thurman to boxing as part of an after school program, he is one of the strongest power punchers in the division, with an excellent knockout rate of 80%. His focus, however, is on making boxing history.
“My goal is to be known as the hardest hitting welterweight in the division,” said Thurman. “This camp, if anything, I feel more comfortable. I’m fully recovered, sparring, training.  I’ve been throwing power punches for what seems like forever and it’s a little weird. I can’t help but think about how this is my 20th year in boxing and knowing the longevity I’ve had. It’s given me a new confidence. “
For Birmingham, this training camp has been a re-commitment to the strategic and conditioning process the team has gone through for each fight for the past 13 years.
“Training is going real well,” said Birmingham. “We know Porter is a come-forward fighter – he is going to try to be on Keith’s chest. I want Keith to box, use his power, use his jab, and use his feints to work the body from the inside. All the things Keith knows how to do. Porter is not a real technical fighter so we’re working on using that to our advantage.”
Birmingham on sparring:
“We’ve been doing great sparring work – we have some tough, tough kids in camp. We’ve been boosting aerobic capacity, and those kids are keeping on Keith.  He’s going to be in great shape for this fight. We’re excited for this fight. “
What does Team “One Time” anticipate?
Birmingham:  “We know that Porter is going to bring it so we’re working extra hard on aerobics and being fit for this fight. Keith’s doing a lot of running, cardio, endurance; we expect a tough fight and we’ll be prepared for this fight. We expect a victory”
What can fans expect on June 25?
Thurman: “Hopefully a knock out! I’m coming to bring it. Shawn is coming to bring it. It’ll be a great fight. We are two of the top welterweights in the division. Two of the youngest and strongest welterweights in the sport going toe-to- toe.”
What is your goal for this fight?
Thurman: “My goal is to be known as the hardest hitting welterweight in the division. My lifelong goal is to be the undisputed welterweight champion of the world – and I have a ways to go in unifying the titles. Once I move past Shawn I look forward to the challenge of making my dreams come true. I’m blessed to be where I am today.”
 
The Welterweight division is one of the hottest divisions in boxing, what do you think of a Super 6 tournament in the division?
Thurman: “I’m for it. In the 147-pound division it’s time to unify a title. Someone at 147 should have more than one belt and that’s my goal that before end of the year to have more than one belt.”
One of the sports more enigmatic athletes, Thurman is known for having a varied list of interests and hobbies setting him apart from other fighters, including playing the flute, piano and guitar, books (The Secret Life of Plants to Bhagavad Gita the Little Buddhist Handbook) and music (Ziggy Marley to Tupac). It is his uniqueness that helps him be an easy fan-favorite.
“Greatest advice I’ve been given is just to be Keith Thurman – just be me,” said Thurman. “I’m looking forward to stepping on this scale, not over talking and just going in and getting the knock out.”
Barclays Center’s BROOKLYN BOXING™ programming platform is presented by AARP. PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.
For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports andwww.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @PremierBoxing @KeithFThurmanJr, @ShowtimeShawnP, @AbnerMares, @LouDiBella, @BarclaysCenter and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports,www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment and www.facebook.com/BarclaysCenter.
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Stacked Undercard Comes to Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Saturday, June 25

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Exciting Matchups Feature Unbeaten Fighters as Jarrett Hurd Faces Oscar Molina & 
David Benavidez Takes On Francy Ntetu
&
Brooklyn Fan Favorites Heather Hardy & Adam Kownacki Return
 
Plus! Undefeated Prospect Regis Prograis, 2012 Spanish Olympian
Jonathan Alonso & Unbeaten Josue Vargas
As Part of Exciting Night of Action
BROOKLYN (May 19, 2016) – A stacked undercard featuring top rising talent and local favorites will light up the ring at Barclays Center in Brooklyn as part of an extraordinary night of action on Saturday, June 25.
The June 25 SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® on CBS event, presented by Premier Boxing Champions, is headlined by the highly anticipated welterweight showdown between world champion Keith Thurman and former champion Shawn Porter. Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT with an exciting battle between featherweight world champion Jesus Cuellar and former three-division world champion Abner Mares.
In undercard action, undefeated super welterweights, Maryland’s Jarrett Hurd (17-0, 11 KOs), and California’s Oscar Molina (13-0, 10 KOs), will collide in a 10-round bout while undefeated light heavyweights, Arizona’s David Benavidez (14-0, 13 KOs) and Francy Ntetu (16-0, 3 KOs), will mix it up in an eight-round fight.
Two staples of Brooklyn boxing will also enter the ring on June 25 as Heather “The Heat” Hardy (16-0, 4 KOs) competes in an eight-round super bantamweight attraction while Polish bruiser Adam Kownacki (13-0, 10 KOs) competes in a heavyweight bout.
Also in action on June 25 is hard-hitting, highly regarded 140-pound prospect Regis Prograis (17-0, 14 KOs) in a 10-round fight, 2012 Spanish Olympian Jonathan Alonso(8-0, 4 KOs) in a six-round super lightweight scrap and Mayweather Promotions prospectJosue Vargas (4-0, 3 KOs) in a four-round fight.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, start at $49 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, www.barclayscenter.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.
Fighting out of Accokeek, Md., Hurd has an unblemished professional record since turning pro in 2012. The 25-year-old opened up 2015 with a third-round stoppage of veteran Eric Mitchell and followed with a seventh-round stoppage of previously unbeaten Jeff Lentz in August. He stepped up in competition last November when he faced Frank Galarza in Las Vegas and was able to show off his considerable skill by stopping the previously unbeaten fighter in the sixth round of perhaps a career-best performance.
Representing Mexico, the 2012 Olympian Molina fights out of Norwalk, Calif., and is unbeaten in his brief professional career. The 26-year-old turned pro in 2013 and after winning a decision in his first bout, he went on to knock out six opponents in a row. His last bout came against fellow unbeaten Domonique Dolton and featured exciting back-and-forth action before the fight was ruled a majority draw.
The younger brother of undefeated Jose Benavidez, David has racked up a perfect 14 wins in 14 starts at just 19-years-old. Fighting out of Phoenix, Benavidez picked up four victories via stoppage in 2015 and kicked off his 2016 with a knockout of Kevin Cobbs in January. Most recently, he scored a second round knockout of Phillip Jackson Benson in April. The next challenge for Benavidez is the 33-year-old Ntetu, who won three times in 2015. Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, he fights out of Montreal and will be making his fifth appearance in the U.S. on June 25.
A popular Brooklyn fighter who competed in Barclays Center’s first-ever professional female boxing match, Hardy has become a staple at the arena since. On June 25, she will be making her seventh appearance at Barclays Center. A little over two years after her pro debut, Hardy won an international title belt in the super bantamweight division in October 2014. In 2015, she defeated Noemi Bosques and Renata Domsodi twice. In her lone 2016 fight, she stopped Anna Donatella Hultin in the fourth round.
A two-time New York Golden Gloves champion, Kownacki had a big 2015, notching four victories including knockouts of Maurenzo Smith and Randy Easton. Born in Lomza, Poland, the 26-year-old now calls Brooklyn home. His 2016 campaign began in January at Barclays Center when he defeated Danny Kelly in front of a raucous Polish crowd.
Originally from New Orleans but fighting out of Houston, Prograis continues to work his way up the 140-pound rankings as he takes down veteran contenders. The 27-year-old looked sensational in his last outing as he scored a first round knockout over Mexico’s Aaron Herrera. Already named on of ESPN’s top prospects in 2015, he will look to cement his contender status in 2016.
Born in the Dominican Republic, Alonso moved to Spain at seven-years-old and would eventually represent the country at the 2012 Olympics. Now training in Brooklyn, the 25-year-old is undefeated since turning pro in 2014 while splitting time fighting in New York and Spain.  He is coming off a victory over Ricardo Maldonado in February.
Vargas began boxing at age eight and by by age 13 the New York Daily News dubbed him a “prodigy.” Fighting out of New York, the 17-year-old Vargas recently signed to the Mayweather Promotions stable and will make his debut with his new promoter on June 25.
 
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Barclays Center’s BROOKLYN BOXING™ programming platform is presented by AARP. PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.
For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports and www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @PremierBoxing @KeithFThurmanJr, @ShowtimeShawnP, @AbnerMares, @LouDiBella, @BarclaysCenter and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports, www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment and www.facebook.com/BarclaysCenter.
boxing, Showtime Boxing

AMERICAN HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION DEONTAY WILDER OPENS UP ON THE STATE OF THE HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION

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Wilder Defends His Title Next Saturday, Jan. 16,
Live on SHOWTIME® From Barclays Center in Brooklyn

 

Sports Emmy® Award-Winning Writer Mark Kriegel meets in New York with undefeated WBC World Champion Deontay Wilder, as the American heavyweight champ looks to continue his path to heavyweight history by putting his imprint on the division one step at a time.

 

“I’m just a different fighter than these guys in the heavyweight division. My athletic skills, the way I move in the ring, my speed, the power that I have, the awkward style that I have. Do I need to say more? These guys know I am very serious about this. Nobody wants to fight [me], they already know what the results will be.’’

 

Wilder is determined to prove he’s the No. 1 in the world. His current focus is his third title defense against Polish brawler Artur Szpilka, but he doesn’t dismiss the constant chatter about title unification.

 

“Keep fighting, sooner or later celebrate. Keep fighting, keep winning, keep knocking guys out. Once you keep doing those things, you can’t be denied, no matter what. I think unifying the titles … Once you have that strong American heavyweight to unify the division, to hold all the titles, that’s when I feel true stardom will come. Once I unify the division, I think it’ll be a dramatic change.’’

 

Click On The Photo or Link Below To Watch Full Interview

http://s.sho.com/1VJDLdp

 

Video/Photo Credit: SHOWTIME

 

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Wilder vs. Szpilka, a 12-round bout for Wilder’s WBC Heavyweight title taking place on Saturday, Jan. 16 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Warriors Boxing and Sferis Knockout Promotions and sponsored by Corona. Opening the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXINGÒdoubleheader, Charles Martin and Vyacheslav Glazkov will battle for the vacant IBF Heavyweight World Championship. The event will be televised live on SHOWTIMEÒ(10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. ET) and it will be available in Spanish via Secondary Audio Programming (SAP).

 

Barclays Center’s BROOKLYN BOXING™ programming platform is presented by AARP.  For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @BronzeBomber, @Szpilka_Artur, @BarclaysCenter,@WarriorsBoxingProm and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/SHOSports, www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment,www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter .

boxing, Showtime Boxing

ACTION-PACKED NIGHT OF UNDERCARD ATTRACTIONS  COME TO BARCLAYS CENTER ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 16

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BROOKLYN’S AMANDA SERRANO FIGHTS FOR A WORLD TITLE
PLUS UNBEATEN NOTRE DAME ALUM MIKE LEE &
BROOKLYN HEAVYWEIGHT ADAM KOWNACKI IN SEPARATE BOUTS
 
Exciting Night Headlined By Two Heavyweight World Title Fights!
 
BROOKLYN (December 30, 2015) – A full night of hard-hitting preliminary action comes to Barclays Center onSaturday, January 16 in an event headlined by two heavyweight world title fights live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. ET).
The stacked undercard features popular former world champion Amanda Serrano (26-1-1, 19 KOs) fighting in her hometown against Ghana’s Helen Joseph (12-3-1, 7 KOs) in a 10-round bout for the WBO Featherweight World Championship while unbeaten Notre Dame alum Mike Lee (15-0, 9 KOs) enters the ringin an eight-round cruiserweight fight against an opponent to be announced and unbeaten Polish heavyweight Adam Kownacki (12-0, 10 KOs) faces Danny Kelly (9-1-1, 8 KOs) in an eight-round bout.
Undefeated WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder makes the third defense of his title against Polish brawling contender Artur Szpilka in the main event of the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXINGdoubleheader. Plus, undefeated challengers Charles Martin and Vyacheslav Glazkov will battle in the co-feature for the vacant IBF World Championship in the first heavyweight title fights in Brooklyn in 115 years.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Warriors Boxing and Sferis Knockout Promotions, start at $25, not including applicable fees, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, www.barclayscenter.comor by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Purchase before January 1and receive a 10 percent discount. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.
In a card already stacked with international talent with Szpilka and Glazkov, unbeaten Polish middleweight
Maciec Sulecki (21-0, 6 KOs) takes on Ghana’s Isaac Tordjro Selom (21-5-1, 14 KOs) in a 10-round bout while Brooklyn-based Ukrainian prospect Ivan Golub (9-0, 7 KOs) competes in an eight-round welterweight attraction and fellow Ukrainian Ramil Gadzhiev (1-0, 1 KO), now living in Boca Raton, Fla., and training with John David Jackson, faces Botirsher Obidov (3-0-1, 1 KO)of Kissimmee, Fla., in a four-round middleweight scrap.
Adding to the local flavor and rounding out the card are a pair of Brooklyn natives. Twenty-six-year old Carlos Gongora (3-0, 2 KOs) from Ecuador competes in a six-round light heavyweight battle and 19-year-old Mexican Julian Sosa (3-0-1, 1 KO) will be featured in a four-round junior welterweight affair.
A former world champion in the junior lightweight and lightweight divisions, Serrano will look to add a third world title belt to the legacy that has already made her a popular fighter in her native Brooklyn. A New York Golden Gloves champion, she turned pro in 2009 and was undefeated in her first 15 fights. The 27-year-old traveled to Argentina in 2014 to win her lightweight world title via a sixth-round knockout of Maria Elena Maderna. This time, she will have the advantage of fighting at home as she hopes to make it 13 wins in a row on January 16 when she takes on the 26-year-old Joseph.
A proud graduate of Notre Dame’s esteemed Mendoza College of Business, Lee took a less traveled road when he began his pro boxing career in 2010. The Chicago-native has galvanized the enormous Fighting Irish alumni network and has been a popular draw throughout the country. He has been as good in the ring as he was in the classroom, sporting a perfect 15-0 record including two stoppage victories in 2015. The 28-year-old looks to put on a show for his faithful supporters in his Barclays Center debut.
A two-time New York Golden Gloves champion, Kownacki had a big 2015, notching four victories including knockouts of Maurenzo Smith and Randy Easton. Born in Lomza, Poland, the 26-year-old now calls Brooklyn home. He is opposed by the 24-year-old D.C.-native Kelly, who has won three fights in a row.
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Barclays Center’s BROOKLYN BOXING™ programming platform is presented by AARP.  For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @BronzeBomber, @Szpilka_Artur, @LouDiBella, @BarclaysCenter, @WarriorsBoxingProm and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/SHOSports, www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment, www.Facebook.com/
boxing, PBC on ESPN, Premier Boxing Champions

DANNY GARCIA REMAINS UNDEFEATED WITH NINTH-ROUND TKO OVER PAULIE MALIGNAGGI ON PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON ESPN FROM BARCLAYS CENTER

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DANIEL JACOBS STOPS SERGIO MORA IN SECOND ROUND TO DEFEND MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD TITLE

Click HERE For Photos From Lucas Noonan/Premier Boxing Champions

 

Click HERE For Photos From Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment

BROOKLYN (August 2, 2015) – Danny “Swift” Garcia (31-0, 18 KOs) kept his perfect record intact Saturday with a ninth-round TKO of two-time world champion Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi (33-7, 7 KOs) on Premier Boxing Champions on ESPNfrom Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

 

Garcia was able to control the fight with lead rights and counter left hooks that kept the agile Malignaggi from landing anything significant. The punishment took its toll on Malignaggi as a cut opened up on his right eye in the third round.

 

Despite being the crowd favorite in his native Brooklyn, Malignaggi was unable to land multiple punches on Garcia and put him in real danger. In the ninth round Garcia’s crisp blows finally proved to be too much for Malignaggi as the ref stopped the fight at 2:22 into the round.

 

In the televised opener, Brooklyn’s Daniel “The Miracle Man” Jacobs (30-1, 27 KOs) knocked down former world champion Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora (28-4-2, 9 KOs) twice on his way to a second round stoppage and a successful defense of his middleweight world title.

 

The first round featured exciting action from both men as Jacobs delivered a crisp right hook that sent Mora to the canvas early. Just seconds after getting up, Mora responded by hitting Jacobs with a clean counter that stunned Jacobs and sent him to the mat.

 

After tagging Mora with hard shots at the end of round one, Jacobs continued to come forward and sent Mora to the canvas with a flurry late in the second round. Mora appeared to injure his right leg on the knockdown and was unable to continue. The official stoppage came 2:55 into round two.

 

Here is what the fighters had to say Saturday:

 

DANNY GARCIA

 

“I felt a lot stronger. In the ninth round I felt like it was round one. I need to work on shortening up punches and sticking with the game plan. My dad wanted me to be sharp and throw more straight punches.

 

“I feel strong and I feel good. I used my jab. There were definitely things I have to work on but I’m proud of myself. 147 is where it’s at.

 

“Paulie is a great champion. He’s a craft veteran with a great jab and foot movement. But I went in there and executed the game plan.

 

“Keith Thurman and Shawn Porter are great fighters in this division. If they want, we can make it happen.”

 

PAULIE MALIGNAGGI

 

“I was trying to dictate the pace because I didn’t want him to get into a groove. He’s a hard puncher and I didn’t want to give him confidence to land a big shot. I wanted to dictate with my jab and keep him missing, so he’d second guess on throwing his power. The less power shots he threw the less power shots he could hit me with.

 

“I was trying to take a bit of his confidence. He was walking me down fairly well behind the jab. He cut me in the fourth and I think that upped his confidence. I never could get control of the pace though. In spots I felt I was giving up less ground and I had him missing. He got back on his groove though and he had a strong advantage.

 

“I think Danny can be an upper echelon fighter, he already is. He can put his name in the history books. He has a lot of talent. People don’t realize he has a lot of character too. He has a very good poker face. He doesn’t get frustrated, and if he does he doesn’t show it to you.

 

“His father’s a great trainer and he really stays on him. Danny listens and they have a great relationship. Every time a round would start it was like he was fresh. Even at the end of rounds when I gave him something to think about he came back, and that’s really important.

 

“I’ve got a really good job commentating and watching great fighters fight ringside. I hope to sit around ringside for a long time. I felt like if I couldn’t put up a great performance tonight then it would be my last. I was trying to hang tough as much as I could. I remember when I was taking big shots I just kept thinking ‘Don’t give in. This is your last night if you give in. Don’t show that you’re going to give in. If you can show that you’re still hungry for it then you’ll convince yourself that this isn’t the end.’ I wanted to keep showing that I want it. Little by little he broke me down, and I have no problem with the stoppage.

 

“I’m probably not fighting again. You hate to make an emotional decision. My career started in Brooklyn 14 years ago. If it ends in Brooklyn tonight then at least I ended it at home where I’m from and in front of the greatest fans in the world.”

 

DANIEL JACOBS

 

“I wanted to stop him on my own. I didn’t want him to quit on the stool but I know that he knew it was going to end in a couple of rounds anyway.

 

“I want Peter Quillin next. It’s a fight the fans deserve. Brooklyn always supports both of us and it would be a great way to close out the year.

 

“No rematch, no reason to go backwards. Thank God for this victory, but I’m not going to give him a rematch just because.

 

“I said did a guy with nine knockouts really knock me down?

 

“I think these Brooklynites deserve something special and I think me and ‘Kid Chocolate’ would be that special fight here at Barclays. We’re on the ‘A’ side now, we’re champions, so let’s do it!”

 

SERGIO MORA

 

Spoken to his corner man “I know it’s broken [right ankle]. I heard it pop.”

 

“I heard my ankle snap and my knee also felt funny and I couldn’t put pressure on it.

 

“I knew the first few rounds would be tough, we expected that. My plan was to take him into deep water.

 

“Adrenaline can make you do stupid things. With a puncher like Danny, I needed movement.

 

“I told you I came here to fight. I give him credit, but I came to take this championship. I want a rematch.”

 

Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN was promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Swift Promotions.

 

For more information, visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.barclayscenter.comand www.dbe1.com. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @DannySwift, @PaulMalignaggi, @LouDiBella, @ESPNBoxing, @BarclaysCenter and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/fanpagedannyswiftgarcia, www.facebook.com/PaulMalignaggi, www.facebook.com/barclayscenterand www.facebook.com/ESPN. Follow the conversation using #PBConESPN and #BrooklynBoxing.
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PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON ESPN OFFICIAL WEIGHTS & WEIGH-IN PHOTOS

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Click HERE For PDF Version

Click HERE For Photos From Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment

Click HERE For Photos From Lucas Noonan/Premier Boxing Champions

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Frank De Alba ready for biggest fight of his career TOMORROW NIGHT against Omar Douglas at Barclays Center in Brooklyn

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Fight to be streamed LIVE on ESPN3.com 
Brooklyn, NY (July 31, 2015)–TOMORROW NIGHT!! at Barclays Center, The 2nd installment of Premiere Boxing Champions on ESPN will take place with Danny Garcia meeting Paulie Malignaggi in the main event.  In the co-feature, Daniel Jacobs will defend his Middleweight title against Sergio Mora.
In a bout that will take place before the live broadcast begins, an intriguing Jr. Lightweight battle between Frank De Alba and Omar Douglas will be streamed live on ESPN3.com at 8 PM ET.
De Alba of Reading, PA sees this fight as a chance to make a big name for himself fighting on a big card in front of the major boxing media.
The 28 year-old De Alba has a record of 16-1-2 with 6 knockouts and has won 14 in a row and is unbeaten in his last 18 fights.  De Alba knows that this could be a fight against the undefeated Douglas, who will come in with a record of 14-0 with 11 knockouts, that will springboard him into the top-10 in the Jr. Lightweight division..
“Everything is going great.  This has been the best training camp of my career,” Said De Alba.
“I have worked very hard to get to this point.  I have sacrificed a lot and I am grateful for this opportunity and I am not going to let this slip away from me.”
When asked about Douglas, he sees that there are some things that he can exploit in this pivotal fight.
“I see only one style.  He comes forward and throws a lot of punches and he comes to fight very hard.”
De Alba has fought the majority of his career in the Lehigh Valley area and he now relishing the opportunity to be noticed in New York.
“I am excited for that.  This is my first time on the big stage and I am going to take advantage and do my best.  This is what boxing is all about, the best fighting the best.  And because of this great opportunity, I will find out where I stand in the Jr. Lightweight division.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in
association with Swift Promotions, are priced at $250, $150, $120, $75 and $45, not including applicable service charges and taxes, and are on sale now. Tickets are available at www.barclayscenter.com, www.ticketmaster.com and at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. To charge by phone, call Ticketmaster at(800) 745-3000. For group tickets, please call 855-GROUP-BK.
boxing, ESPN Boxing, PBC on ESPN, Premier Boxing Champions

PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS – GARCIA VS. MALIGNAGGI FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & PHOTOS

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Click HERE For Photos From Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment

 

Click HERE For Photos From Lucas Noonan/Premier Boxing Champions

 

NEW YORK (July 30, 2015) – Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN and undercard fighters held a final press conference Thursday at B.B. Kings Blues Club & Grill in Times Square as they near their Saturday, August 1 showdowns at Barclays Center.

 

The event is headlined by undefeated star Danny “Swift” Garcia (30-0, 17 KOs) as he makes his 147-pound debut against two-time world champion Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi (33-6, 7 KOs). Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. as middleweight world champion Daniel “The Miracle Man” Jacobs (29-1, 26 KOs) defends in his hometown against former world champion Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora (28-3-2, 9 KOs).

 

Here is what the participants had to say Thursday:

 

DANNY GARCIA

 

“We had a tremendous camp, I’ve never felt so strong in my life. For the first time in my career I can actually train to get better.

 

“We’re just focused on training. We did everything in camp – we even chased chickens.

 

“I accomplished a lot at 140-pounds and I’m going to do a lot at 147. On Saturday at Barclays Center you’re going to see a spectacular Danny Garcia.

 

“I want to be known as a great Philadelphia fighter and a great Puerto Rican fighter. I’m the first Puerto Rican from Philly to ever be a world champion. I have the Philly skills and toughness with the Puerto Rican blood, it’s the perfect mixture.

 

“I’ve watched Paulie fight my whole career. He’s a tough veteran and I’m sure he’s got some tricks up his sleeve. I just have to go in there and stick to business on Saturdaynight.

 

“Barclays Center is my home away from home. We have a nice routine when we’re in Brooklyn. We keep it simple.

 

“I pay attention to the positive things in my career and that’s getting in the gym and working hard and getting better. That’s my main focus.

 

“Everything is better at 147. I feel stronger. My form feels good. The footwork is great. I can eat regularly now. Still disciplined but it’s a lot easier.”

 

PAULIE MALIGNAGGI

 

“For Danny’s team, it’s only about him and for me it’s all about myself. My best versus his best. This is a big opportunity from me, professionally and personally. My career started 14 years ago in Brooklyn and people think it’s going to end Saturday in Brooklyn, but I’m not letting that happen.

 

“It’s been an emotional camp. I find myself thrust back into the limelight of a major fight when it was least expected. The question marks and doubts come up in my mind and that’s made it emotional. I work hard every day. I’ve quietly had one of my best training camps

 

“There are no excuses here. Saturday night is the best of Paulie Malignaggi. I look forward to testing myself against the best Danny Garcia. I’ve always loved and relish the big names and the big opportunities.

 

“Sometimes I lay in bed at night thinking about matchups between fighters. Now I’m thinking of myself in that conversation and we’ll fin out on Saturday how I stack up.

 

“Quietly but surely, I’m very confident about Saturday night. I’m bringing my best.”

 

DANIEL JACOBS

 

“This is another great opportunity to showcase my skills. I’m on a good knockout streak and I feel confident about this fight.

 

“Sergio Mora is a Rubik’s cube, you have to figure him out. He’s crafty and I have the utmost respect for him. I’m 100 percent confident in my ability to go out there and put on a good show

 

“I hear Sergio is coming here to knock me out and if that’s the case this is going to be a real exciting fight. I look forward to it because I’m coming forward and if two guys are doing that it’s going to be a great fight.

 

“I’m excited to give these Brooklyn fans a great fight. I love being at home and seeing all of the familiar faces I’ve seen since the amateur days.”

 

SERGIO MORA

 

I’m excited to fight at Barclays Center. Brooklyn is beautiful and has great fans. Lou DiBella is about to have another fighter named Sergio as a middleweight champion afterSaturday night.

 

“I think this is going to be a really successful fight because of all the stars up here. It’s a great event for boxing fans.

 

“I’m a grown man now and I’m looking to become a two-time world champion. This is my third time at a middleweight title shot but the first time an opponent showed up. I’m excited and ready to go. I’m thankful for everyone who has opened the door for me. This is it.

 

“Daniel is strong in the ring. He’s a powerful, confident champion. He’s not used to losing and he’s used to hitting his targets, but I’m the total opposite of that. It’s going to be tough for him.

 

“Until he gets in there with me and realizes how tough I am, then he’s going to realize he has a challenge coming to him. I want to take him out of his element.

 

“It’s a big burden to be a hometown fighter and he’s going to realize that. It’s detrimental to be fighting in your hometown and I think he’s too young to realize that. It’s going to be to my advantage on fight night.”

 

ANGEL GARCIA, Danny’s Father & Trainer

 

“Danny had a great camp. It was an awesome camp and he’s going to make a lot of noise. We’re not taking Malignaggi lightly, but we’ve come to win. We don’t come to lose.

 

“It’s not about Malignaggi, it’s about Danny. People can say whatever they want to say but we’re coming to make noise at 147. We’re not running from anybody.

 

“I promise you Danny will be the world champion at 147. I’ve seen visions of it. This is going to be a great fight and then after that anybody can get it.”

 

LOU DIBELLA, President of DiBella Entertainment

 

“I’ve known Paulie Malignaggi since he was a teenager and won the nationals in a big surprise to people. He turned pro on one of my shows and one thing I know about him, it’s that he’s not going to back down from a challenge and he’s going to give it 110 percent on Saturday.

 

“Danny Garcia has been a dominant force in the 140-pound division. He’s won fights by stunning knockout and he’s won by decisions. He always finds a way to win. That’s what he’s planning to do on Saturday night.

 

“Sergio Mora is here to challenge for another world championship. He comes in on a good streak of impressive wins. He’s always been known as a boxer and he’s been in the ring with the best fighters in the world.

 

“Daniel Jacobs is one of the best guys in boxing. His story of perseverance is one that has been told many times. He’s a young, strong champion looking to show that he’s got what it takes in the ring as well as outside of it.

 

“This is a fantastic card featuring four great fighters from Brooklyn on the undercard. We’re going to open the doors and immediately start with these great fights.

 

“This will be Heather Hardy’s fourth fight at Barclays Center and she will be joined on the undercard by Polish heavyweight from Brooklyn Adam Kownacki, who is looking to make some noise in the division.

 

“Rafael Vasquez has a truly inspirational story. He uses boxing to draw attention to the cause of autism and his wife who is battling courageously against cancer, and winning. I really want to see him get a world title shot, because his life has been a battle that he takes on with courage every day.

 

“We also have a terrific prospect in Prichard Colon from Puerto Rico. He’s undefeated and really an exciting guy to watch in the ring.”

 

BRETT YORMARK, CEO of Barclays Center

 

“It’s our 14th big night of boxing in Brooklyn and we’re really excited about it. It’s a business we’re committed to and one we want to grow. Our goal is to go monthly with big events at Barclays Center.

 

“With Paulie and Danny, it’s a big night to have them back at Barclays Center. It is the fourth time for both and they both represent Brooklyn so well.

 

“I want to welcome Sergio Mora for the first time and we’re excited to have you in Brooklyn.

 

“As we’ve told Danny Garcia before, this is his second home and we’re happy to have you and your father back.

 

“We’re excited to be on ESPN, because they provide an incredible platform for these fighters and the sport as a whole.

 

“We expect a great crowd on Saturday night and we look forward to an exciting night at Barclays Center.”

 

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.barclayscenter.comand www.dbe1.com. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @DannySwift, @PaulMalignaggi, @LouDiBella, @ESPNBoxing, @BarclaysCenter and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/fanpagedannyswiftgarcia, www.facebook.com/PaulMalignaggi, www.facebook.com/barclayscenterand www.facebook.com/ESPN. Follow the conversation using #PBConESPN and #BrooklynBoxing.