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Tag Archives: Al Bernstein
3-TIME WORLD CHAMPION JESSIE VARGAS CONFIRMED FOR THIRD EDITION OF BOX FAN EXPO TAKING PLACE ON CINCO DE MAYO WEEKEND, SATURDAY MAY 6, IN LAS VEGAS
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SUGAR RAY LEONARD & DAVID DINKINS JR. MEDIA CONFERENCE CALL HIGHLIGHTS
“These are the type of fights that are going to bring boxing back to where it used to be.” – Sugar Ray Leonard
SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on CBS, presented by Premier Boxing Champions,
Live in Primetime on CBS From Barclays Center in Brooklyn
NEW YORK (March 1, 2017) – Boxing Hall of Famer and former undisputed welterweight world champion Sugar Ray Leonard and David Dinkins Jr., SHOWTIME Sports Senior Vice President and Executive Producer, hosted a media conference call on Wednesday to discuss Leonard joining the CBS broadcast team for Saturday’s welterweight unification between undefeated champions Keith Thurman and Danny Garcia. Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manger, SHOWTIME Sports, began the call with some opening remarks.
The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on CBS, presented by Premier Boxing Champions, broadcast will air live on CBS from 9-11 p.m. ET/6-8 p.m. PT from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™. The broadcast is presented by Premier Boxing Champions and produced by SHOWTIME Sports® for CBS Television, both divisions of the CBS Corporation.
Leonard will join the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING broadcast team on Saturday alongside host Brian Custer, play-by-play voice Mauro Ranallo, International Boxing Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein and Sports Emmy® Award-winning reporter Jim Gray.
A five-division titlist and one of the most decorated boxers of all-time, Leonard brings unique perspective to the broadcast booth having been in a similar situation to Thurman and Garcia more than 35 years ago. Garcia, the WBC 147-pound titleholder, and Thurman, his WBA counterpart, will unify the exact same titles that Leonard (WBC) and fellow Hall of Famer Thomas Hearns (WBA) unified in their classic 1981 Fight of the Year.
Leonard made his professional boxing debut on CBS in 1977, less than one year after he won gold at the ‘76 Olympics in Montreal as part of what is considered the greatest American boxing team in Olympic history. The March 4 event will reunite Leonard with former CBS producer and current SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Executive Producer Dinkins Jr.
Below is what the principals said Wednesday on the conference call:
SUGAR RAY LEONARD
“I was telling David [Dinkins] today, this is the perfect matchup. I mean, you have two incredible fighters, each one of them with their own style and confidence with Keith and Danny. What also raises an eye is the unification. That’s big time for any fighter. And if these fighters can live up to their expectations, I think it’s going to be a home run, without question.
“These are the type of fights that are going to bring boxing back to where it used to be. It’s going to require these type of fights, these type of individuals, these type of athletes, these type of potential super stars, to really change and make boxing what it used to be.”
On the importance of having these types of fights on network television and what it takes to bring the sport back to what it used to be…
“These two young men, these two champions, these undefeated fighters, they fit the mold. I talk to people all of the time about what fights they want to see and this is a fight that has star-quality to it.”
On the advantages of each fighter…
“I look at Keith, and I’ve been watching, over and over, tapes of his previous fight. Again, each of them bring something to the table. Keith Thurman, seems to me, a little more fundamentally sound than Danny Garcia. But Danny Garcia, has a neutralizer. One thing I think is a big factor for the actual fight itself, is that both guys are great champs and both of them could take punches. So, I don’t know. Put it this way, I wouldn’t bet my house.
“I do favor Thurman because he just seems to be a little bit more poised and collected. He just seems to be that kind of guy. First of all, he would never give up. Nor would Danny. But I just lean… it’s just my gut that tells me that Keith is a little bit more solid than Danny.”
On Danny Garcia…
“He’s just a guy that has that internal fortitude. He has heart, big heart. And he doesn’t give in. I think he’s the kind of fighter, you know where people short-change him. But I look at him and he’s one of those fighters that, I don’t train – I never train at all – but he’s the kind of fighter that I would enjoy training. Because he deserves to be up there.”
On the importance of facing the best opponents possible…
“That’s extremely important. Fortunately, I was in an era where there were just a lot of guys out there who were so talented. If given the chance they would prove to be champions.
“I always thought that we had to continue to raise the bar as a fighter, as a champion, and continue to fight better and better competition. When I was fighting, I swear, I wanted to be the underdog -psychologically, spiritually and mentally, if I wasn’t challenged, if I wasn’t considered somewhat of an underdog, I couldn’t perform the way I normally would. It’s what would get me going.
“I have said this a number of times: This fight is going to be bigger and better than what we anticipate because of what is at stake.
“The advantage [for me] was the television network exposure, without question. I loved that. It pumped me up because I loved the exposure. I loved the attention. I loved the fights and that’s what also helped me to be the fighter that I became.
On what it’s like being ringside and broadcasting a unification welterweight fight much like the fights and titles he’s fought for…
“It is an out-of-body experience. It’s déjà vu. Like holy, I am 60. It’s a kind of thing that is so special and it’s so rare of a unification it seems like. It speaks volumes to me as far as the significance of it. And these guys, Keith and Danny, they know it. They realize it.”
DAVID DINKINS JR.
“When we were discussing the upcoming Thurman-Garcia fight in our senior staff meeting, many of us longtime fight fans thought about Ray’s first fight with Thomas Hearns and the many parallels there with Danny Garcia and Keith Thurman. You have two undefeated fighters and two titlists who have been on a path toward each other since Danny moved up from being a unified champion at super lightweight and moved into the welterweight ranks and gained a world title at 147 pounds.
“Ray and Tommy were two stars who it just seemed inevitable that they would fight. We feel the same way about Keith and Danny. You have two undefeated champions and it’s inevitable that they would meet and declare who would be the No. 1 fighter at 147 pounds.
“I’m so happy that Ray can join us for this telecast and he and I have discussed over the past few days the many similarities between his circumstance during the Golden Era of Boxing when he had rivals like [Roberto] Duran, Hearns and [Wilfred] Benitez at 147 pounds.
“To make the situation even sweeter it reunites myself and Ray after we had worked together years ago at CBS. He along with Tim Ryan and Gil Clancy formed a very entertaining announce team. Ray was in and out of retirement at that point. So his full-time, part-time job up at CBS was terrific fun. We got to see some great fights and work together. And now he joins Mauro Ranallo and Al Bernstein, who is also a Hall of Famer just like Ray is, ringside this coming Saturday. It’s just incredible great fortune that Ray was available to join us and be a significant contributor on Saturday.”
STEPHEN ESPINOZA, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports
“SHOWTIME continues to deliver the strongest lineup of any network in boxing. We are delivering the biggest and most meaningful fights and delivering to the largest possible audience. With none on pay-per-view.
“This Saturday SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING will present the most anticipated fight of the year live on America’s most watched network, CBS. Danny Garcia versus Keith Thurman is without question the best fighting the best. They are two undefeated champions with a combined record of 60 wins and zero losses and squaring off in the prime of their careers to determine who the top dog is in boxing’s marquee division.
“SHOWTIME has really made it our mission to televise the top-rated champions against the top-rated challengers in boxing’s most compelling weight classes.
“The fans have taken note, and the momentum continues to rise. Adrien Broner and Adrian Granados fought a close fight two weeks ago that was our most watched main event in two years.
“This is just the second primetime fight on CBS in nearly 40 years since Ali-Spinks in 1978. We are grateful to our colleagues at CBS who are helping to deliver this important event for boxing. It is critical that we put our best foot forward in a very hyper competitive television market, and that is certainly what we are doing Saturday night on CBS.”
ABOUT GARCIA vs. THURMAN
Danny Garcia vs. Keith Thurman is a welterweight world title showdown between undefeated 147-pound titlists. The 12-round bout headlinesSHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on CBS, presented by Premier Boxing Champions, Saturday March 4 from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™. In the co-main event undefeated rising star Erickson Lubin battles once-beaten knockout artist Jorge Cota in a super welterweight title eliminator bout on CBS at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, start at $50 (not including applicable fees) and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, www.barclayscenter.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.
For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @KeithFThurmanJr, @DannySwift, @LouDiBella, @BarclaysCenter and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports, www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment, www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter. PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.
Neon Star Sports & Entertainment Launches New Promotional Company Knockout Night Boxing
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Stephon Young wins WBA NABA title with decision over Tony Lopez Jr.
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Late replacement Erik “El Trump” Ruiz upsets Hanzel Martinez for WBC International super bantamweight title
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Young decisions Lopes, Vera stops Zizic
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OFFICIAL RESULTS
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-all pictures by Manny “Mitts” Murillo / Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions-
Erik Ruiz celebrates his upset victory
LAS VEGAS (September 30, 2016) — Late replacement Erik “El Trumpo” Ruiz upset Hanzel Martinez in tonight’s “Knockout Night at the D” main event in front of another sold-out crowd at the outdoor Downtown Las Vegas Events Center. The “Knockout Night at the D” series, presented by the D Las Vegas and Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, is promoted by Roy Jones Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions. Hall Of Fame announcers Jim “J.R.” Ross and Al Bernstein called the action from ringside with Sean Wheelock on CBS Sports Network in North America and internationally via ESPN. Ruiz (16-5-1, 6 KOs) replaced Emmanuel Quartey, who was unable to secure a visa, and he was rewarded with a 10-round majority decision victory over fellow Mexican fighter Hanzel Martinez (23-3, 19 KOs) for the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) International super bantamweight title. “El Trumpo,” fighting out of Oxnard, California, put on a clinic, avoiding the lunging Martinez, who was frustrated throughout the fight by Ruiz’ slickness. Martiniz lunged, Ruiz countered and then he slightly moved to the side, avoiding any potential. Defensively, Ruiz was far superior, keeping Martinez off balance through out the majority of rounds.
Ruiz (R) controlled most of the action in the main event
“I feel great,” Ruiz exclaimed. “I took this last minute fight but I was ready for it. Hanzel is a tough fighter. He has guts. I didn’t think he’d to the full 10 rounds. This is an opportunity that will open a lot of doors for me. He knew he was coming to fight and I as ready for him.” In a good technical fight with a lot of give-and-take action from start to finish, unbeatenStephon “Showstopper” Young (15-0-3, 6 KOs) defeated Tony Lopez, Jr. (11-2, 4 KOs) in a battle of gritty southpaws. Fighting out of St. Louis, Young’s quickness prevailed over Lopes’ toughness, as both fighters put on a show for the vacant North American Boxing Association (NABA) bantamweight title in the co-feature. Young won a 10-round majority decision.
(L) Young’s quickness was the difference
“It was a hard fight,” Young commented. “My coach said, if you wan it, go get him. And I did. I knew what I was coming to get. People want to see me fight in this division.” In the television opener, NABA USA super welterweight champion John “The Phenom” Vera (15-0, 10 KOs) made another strong statement under the neon lights, stopping challenger Milorad “Micko” Zizic (12-2, 7 KOs) in the second round. Making his second title defense, Vera, a southpaw, served notice to all super welterweights, dropping Zizic twice and then staggering him again before referee Kenny Baylesscalled an end to the fight. Vera Vera decked Zizic twice
“I came out here to put on a show,” Vera said after the fight. “I dropped him (first) with a left-right. The second knockdown I feinted and hit him with a hard right jab. I then turned right-handed because I knew my right was working. I knew I had him.” Las Vegas junior lightweight Randy Moreno cruised to his fifth win without a loss, unloading an unanswered barrage of punches on Fabian “El Suavecito” Alanez (1-1) until referee Jay Nady halted the fight in the second round.
Moreno is a rising young star to watch
Popular Las Vegas welterweight Jeremy “J-Flash” Nichols improved to 7-0 with a totally in control 4-round decision over Marquis “The Hawk” Hawthorn (4-5, 1 KO).
Nichols kept rollin’
Las Vegas’ 18-year-old bantamweight Max “The Baby Faced Assassin” Ornelas (5-0, 2 KOs) remained unbeaten, winning a a 4-round unanimous technical decision overMulapi Enjani (2-3-2, 1 KO). Ornelas hurt Enjani near the end of the fourth round. Enajani hurt his knee and he was unable to continue, resulting in a technical decision
18-year-old Max Ornelas (L) improved to 5-0
Las Vegas junior lightweight Sal Lopez (4-0, 0 KOs) pitched a shutout, winning all four rounds on the judges’ scorecards, over previously undefeated Kenneth “Scrappy” Taylor (2-1, 2 KOs).
(R) Lopez pitched a shutout
OFFICIAL RESULTS
SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS
John Vera (15-0, 10 KOs), Champion, Fort Worth, TX
WTKO2 (2:15)
Milorad Zizic (12-2, 6 KOs), Challenger, Las Vegas, NV
(Vera retained WBA-NABA super welterweight title)
WELTERWEIGHTS
Jeremy Nichols (7-0, KOs), Las Vegas, NV
WDEC4 (40-36, 40-36, 40-36)
Marquis Hawthorn (4-5, 1 KO), Waco, TX.
JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHTS
Randy Moreno (5-0, 4 KOs), Las Vegas, NV
WTKO2 (0:21)
Fabian Alaniz (1-1, 0 KOs), Laredo, TX
Sal Lopez (4-0, 0 KOs), Las Vegas, NV
WDEC (40-36, 40-36, 40-36)
Kenneth Taylor (2-1, 2 KOs), Tyler, TX
SUPER BANTAMWEIGHTS
Erik Ruiz (16-5-1, 6 KOs), Oxnard, CA
WDEC10 (98-92, 97-93, 95-95)
Hanzel Martinez (23-3, 19 KOs), Tijuana, Mexico.
(Ruiz won WBC International bantamweight title)
BANTAMWEIGHTS
Stephon Young (15-0-3, 6 KOs), Saint Louis, MO
WDEC (97-93, 96-94, 95-95)
Tony Lopez, Jr. (11-2, 4 KOs), Fort Worth, TX
(Young won WBA-NABA Bantamweight title)
Max Ornelas (5-0, 2 KOs), Las Vegas, NV
WTDEC4 (40-36, 40-36 40-36)
Mulapi Enjani (2-3-2, 1 KO), San Diego, CA
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @thedlasvegas, @dlvEventsCenter, @DerekJStevens, @BoxingatheDLV, @RoyJonesJrBoxing
Follow these fighters on Twitter: @teamtonylopez, @hanzel2111, @stephonyoung, @johnverajr, @mickozizic, @jflashgang, @_RandyMoreno
Instagram: @dlvec, @thedlasvegas, @RoyJonesJrBoxing
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OFFICIAL WEIGHTS & PICTURES For “Knockout Night at the D”
Promoter Roy Jones Jr.
-all pictures by Manny “Mitts” Murillo / Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions
(fighter on right is listed first each fight, promoter Roy Jones Jr. in the middle)
VACANT WBA INTERNATIONAL SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (10)
Hanzel Martinez (23-2, 19 KOs), Tijuana, Mexico 122 lbs.
Erik Ruiz (15-5-1, 6 KOs), Oxnard, CA 121 lbs.
VACANT WBA-NABA BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (10)
Tony Lopez, Jr. (11-1, 4 KOs), Fort Worth, TX 118 lbs.
Stephon Young (14-0-3, 6 KOs), Saint Louis, MO 117 bs.
WBA-NABA USA SUPER WELTERWEIGHT CHAMIONSHIP (8)
John Vera (14-0, 9 KOs), Champion, Fort Worth, TX 154 lbs.
Milorad Zizic (12-1, 6 KOs), Challenger, Las Vegas, NV 153 ½ lb.
JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHTS (4)
Randy Moreno (4-0, 3 KOs), Las Vegas, NV 134 lbs.
Fabian Alaniz (1-0, 0 KOs), Laredo, TX 134 ½ lbs.
WELTERWEIGHTS (4)
Jeremy Nichols (6-0, 2 KOs), Las Vegas, NV 147 ½ lbs.
Marquis Hawthorn (4-4, 1 KO), Waco, TX 146 lbs.
BANTAMWEIGHTS (4)
Max Ornelas (4-0, 2 KOs), Las Vegas, NV 118 lbs.
Mulapi Enjani (2-2-2, 1 KO), San Diego, CA 116 ½ lbs.
JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHTS (4)
Sal Lopez (3-0, 0 KOs), Las Vegas, NV 131 lbs.
Kenneth Taylor (2-0, 2 KOs), Tyler, TX 129 lbs.
WHAT: “Knockout Night at the D” professional boxing
WHEN: Friday, September 30, 2016
WHERE: Downtown Las Vegas Events Center (DLVEC)
PROMOTER: Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions
TELEVISION: Live on CBS Sports Network, internationally via ESPN (digital delay check local listings)
BROADCASTERS: Jim “J.R.” Ross, Al Bernstein & Sean Wheelock
RING ANNOUNCER: Jeff Huston
DOORS OPEN: 5:00 p.m. PT
FIRST BOUT: 6:00 p.m. PT
FIRST TV BOUT: 8:00 p.m. PT / 11 p.m. ET
OTHER: “Knockout Night at the D” series was developed in partnership with DLVEC and Neon Star Media
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @thedlasvegas, @dlvEventsCenter, @DerekJStevens, @BoxingatheDLV, @RoyJonesJrBoxing
Instagram: @dlvec, @thedlasvegas, @RoyJonesJrBoxing
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Erik Ruiz replaces Emmanuel Quartey vs Hanzel Martinez in Friday Night’s “Knockout Night at the D” main event
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LIMITED TICKETS STILL ON SALE
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LAS VEGAS (September 27, 2016) – Veteran super bantamweight Erik Ruiz has replaced Ghanaian boxer Emmanuel Quartey, who was unable to secure a visa to enter the United States, in this Friday night’s 10-round main event versus Hanzel “Rude Boy” Martinez, headlining a strong “Knockout Night at the D” card, for the vacant World Boxing Association International super bantamweight title.
Airing live (11 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. PT) on CBS Sports Network and internationally viaESPN (digital delay check local listings), “Knockout Night at the D” will be held outdoors under the neon lights at Downtown Las Vegas Events Center.
The “Knockout Night at the D” series, presented by the D Las Vegas and Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, is promoted by Roy Jones Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions.
Hall of Fame announcers Jim “J.R.” Ross and Al Bernstein will call all of the action from ringside with Sean Wheelock handling fighter interviews on CBS Sports Network and in English for ESPN internationally.
Martinez (23-2, 19 KOs), a former WBC United States bantamweight champion, fights out of Tijuana, Mexico. Ruiz (15-5-1, 6 KOs) is coming off an impressive 10-round draw with 30-1 Horacio Garcia this past May in as Vegas. He has a notable win over previously unbeaten (11-0-2) Roy Tapia also extended top prospects such as Jessie Magdaleno,Alexis Santiago and Manuel Avila the distance.
“We knew there were some issues with Quartey’s visa situation,” promoter Keith Veltresaid, “so we had Erik Ruiz on hold. It’s unfortunate but things like this happen in boxing and we’re fortunate to have such a quality opponent like Erik as a late replacement. In fact, he’s fought much tougher opponents than Quartey. Hanzel has 18 knockouts in his 23 wins, but Ruiz has never been stopped as a professional. We’re confident that the main event will be equally competitive and that fans will enjoy another great night of ‘Knockout Night at the D” boxing.”
In the 10-round co-feature event, Tony Lopez, Jr. (11-1, 4 KOs) takes on Stephon “Showstopper” Young (14-0-3, 6 KOs) for the vacant WBA North American Boxing Association (NABA) bantamweight title.
In the third title fight of the night, undefeated WBA-NABA USA super welterweight champion John “The Phenom” Vera (14-0, 9 KOs) makes his second title defense against Milorad “Micko” Zizic (12-1, 6 KOs) in an 8-round bout opening the televised segment of the card.
Also fighting on the undercard in 4-round bouts are Las Vegas welterweight Jeremy “J-Flash” Nichols (5-0, 2 KOs) vs. Marquis Hawthorn (4-4, 1 KO), Las Vegas’ 18-year-old bantamweight Max “Baby Face” Ornelas (4-0, 2 KOs) vs. Mulapi “The African Mexican” Enjani (2-2-2, 1 KO), Las Vegas junior lightweight Sal Lopez (3-0) vs.Kenneth Taylor (2-0, 2 KOs), and Las Vegas junior lightweight Randy Moreno (4-0, 3 KOs) vs. Fabian Alaniz (1-0, 0 KOs).
All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets, priced at $99.99 VIP ringside, $49.99 ringside, $24.99 and $14.99 general admission (seated), are on sale at www.Ticketmaster.com or www.DLVEC.com. Taxes and fees apply to all sold tickets.
Doors open at 5:00 p.m. PT with the opening bout scheduled at 6:00 p.m. PT.
The “Knockout Night at the D” series was developed in partnership with the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center and Neon Star Media.
This “Knockout Night at the D” event licensed to ESPN will be available to watch in 61 additional countries and territories in Latin America (South America, Central America, Mexico & Brazil) Caribbean, Oceania (Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands),United Kingdom, Canada and India
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @thedlasvegas, @dlvEventsCenter, @DerekJStevens, @BoxingatheDLV, @RoyJonesJrBoxing
Follow these fighters on Twitter: @teamtonylopez, @hanzel2111, @stephonyoung, @johnverajr, @mickozizic, @jflashgang, @_RandyMoreno
Instagram: @dlvec, @thedlasvegas, @RoyJonesJrBoxing
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Tony Lopez, Jr. vs. Stephon Young “Knockout Night at the D” co-feature has punch
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Three title fights, one memorable night of boxing “Knockout Night at the D” returns Sept. 30
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Martinez vs. Quartey, Lopez vs. Young, Vera vs. Zizic
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Live on CBS Sports Network & ESPN internationally
From the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center
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LAS VEGAS (September 14, 2016) — A championship tripleheader will highlight “Knockout Night at the D” on Friday night, September 30, airing live (11 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. PT) on CBS Sports Network and internationally via ESPN (digital delay check local listings), outdoors from under the neon lights at Downtown Las Vegas Events Center(DLVEC).
The “Knockout Night at the D” series, presented by the D Las Vegas and DowntownLas Vegas Events Center, is promoted by Roy Jones Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions.
Hall of Fame announcers Jim “J.R.” Ross and Al Bernstein will call all of the action from ringside on CBS Sports Network and in English for ESPN internationally.
In The 10-round main event, Hanzel “Rude Boy” Martinez (23-2, 19 KOs) takes on
Emmanuel Quartey (20-2, 19 KOs) for the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) International super bantamweight championship.
Tony Lopez, Jr. (11-1, 4 KOs faces unbeaten Stephon “Showstopper” Young (14-0-3, 6 KOs) for the vacant WBA North American Boxing Association (NABA) bantamweight title in the 10-round co-feature, while undefeated WBA-NABA USA super welterweight champion John “The Phenom” Vera (14-0, 9 KOs) makes his first title defense against Milorad “Micko” Zizic (12-1, 6 KOs) in an 8-round bout.
“This show has all the makings of the best ‘Knockout Night at the D’ show of the year with three title fights on tap,” RJJ Boxing Promotions CEO/Co-Founder Keith Veltre said. “The six principal fighters have a combined record of 94-6-3 with 63 knockouts. All three of these title fights are evenly matched and can go either way. The winner of the main event should land a spot in the WBA’s top 15 ratings. And we plan to load up the undercard with many of Las Vegas’ most promising prospects.”
Martinez, 24, is a former World Boxing Council (WBC) United States bantamweight champion. A native of Tijuana, Mexico, Martinez is ranked No. 4 by the NABA, and on the verge of breaking out on the national boxing scene. He hasn’t fought since last December because his last fight was cancelled when he was injured in a car accident.
A former super flyweight champion at home in Ghana, Quartey like Martinez is a dangerous puncher who has experience in the ring. He will be making his United State debut Sept. 30 vs. Martinez.
The 22-year-old Lopez, fighting out of Dallas, is coming off of a sensational second-round stoppage of Jerren Cochran this past May at DLVEC. He is a former WBC Youth Intercontinental bantamweight champion, the belt he captured in 2014 with an 8-round unanimous decision from previously undefeated Isaac Torres (9-0) in Fort Worth. Lopez is rated No. 7 by the NABA.
Young, 27, is rated No. 2 by the NABA. The southpaw was a decorated amateur boxer out of Saint Louis, compiling an 86-13 record, including a silver-medal performance at the 2011 National Golden Gloves Championships. All three of his draws were fought on the road. His last was in his most recent fight, last April at Turning Stone Casino in Verona, New York, in which he and 14-0 Nikolay Potapov battled evenly for 10 rounds.
Vera’s brutal sixth-round knockout of 10-1-1 Joey Ruelas, also at DLVEC, earned the left-handed Vera his NABA-USA super welterweight crown. Fighting out of Fort Worth, Vera will be facing the toughest opponent of his 3 ½ year professional career.
Zizic, a native of Montenegro is a former International Boxing Federation (IBF) Youth and WBC Mediterranean middleweight champion. Ranked No. 14 by the NABA, Zizic now lives and trains in the capital of boxing, Las Vegas.
Undercard fights will soon be announced. All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets, priced at $99.99 VIP ringside, $49.99 ringside, $24.99 and $14.99 general admission (seated), are on sale at www.Ticketmaster.com or www.DLVEC.com. Taxes and fees apply to all sold tickets.
Doors open at 5:00 p.m. PT with the opening bout scheduled at 6:00 p.m. PT.
The “Knockout Night at the D” series was developed in partnership with the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center and Neon Star Media.
This “Knockout Night at the D” event is licensed to ESPN will be available to watch in 61 additional countries and territories in Latin America (South America, Central America, Mexico & Brazil) Caribbean, Oceania (Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands),United Kingdom, Canada and India
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @thedlasvegas, @dlvEventsCenter, @DerekJStevens, @BoxingatheDLV, @RoyJonesJrBoxing
Instagram: @dlvec, @thedlasvegas, @RoyJonesJrBoxing
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