Tag Archives: Alabama

BARE KNUCKLE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP SET TO DEBUT IN ALABAMA SATURDAY, APRIL 11 IN BIRMIGHAM!

UFC Veteran Chris Leben & Former University of Alabama Linebacker Marcel Stamps Square Off in BKFC 12 Main Event from the Boutwell Auditorium

Co-Main Event Action to Feature BKFC Heavyweight Champion Joey Beltran Defending his Title Against Mark Godbeer

Tickets on Sale Today!

BIRMINGHAM, ALA. (March 6, 2020) – Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) will bring sanctioned bare knuckle action to Alabama for the first time on Saturday, April 11 as UFC veteran Chris Leben and former University of Alabama linebacker Marcel Stamps go toe-to-toe in the main event of BKFC 12 from Boutwell Auditorium in Birmingham, Ala.
 
The BKFC 12 co-main event will showcase a highly anticipated heavyweight title bout as BKFC Heavyweight Champion Joey Beltran defends his belt against rugged MMA veteran Mark Godbeer.
 
Tickets for the live event are on sale Friday, March 6 and can be purchased athttps://www.bareknuckle.tv/ and Etix.
 
“It will be a great fight,” said BKFC founder and president David Feldman. “Chris Leben is a legend, he always comes to fight and he’s ready to throw down. Marcel Stamps is one of the most athletic fighters in BKFC, and we expect him to do some big things with the organization. This fight is a statement of how we do things at BKFC. The best fight the best!”


“I’m excited to be part of the BKFC 12 main event in Alabama,” said Leben. “On April 11, I will make Stamps regret he ever got into this. I will knock him out in front of his hometown fans.”


“I have my hometown supporting me and I will not let them down,” said Stamps. “Leben has nothing left. He is old and is nothing more than a name. I will retire him for good!”


Leben returns for his third BKFC fight, having previously knocked out Justin Baesman at BKFC 5, before losing a decision to Dakota Cochrane at BKFC 6. Originally from Portland, Oregon and now training out of Chula Vista, California, Leben first emerged onto the scene in the inaugural season of The Ultimate Fighter before going on to become a WEC Middleweight Champion. A veteran of over 20 UFC events, his career includes a five-fight win streak that led to a challenge of Anderson Silva.
 
Born in Brantley, Alabama and now fighting out of Birmingham, Stamps will step in for his second BKFC bout after previously knocking out Kendall Grove at BKFC 3. The 34-year-old played linebacker for Nick Saban at the University of Alabama from 2004 through 2008 and played in the CFL before transitioning to combat sports. Stamps competed in Bellator prior to debuting with BKFC in 2018.
 
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About Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
On June 2, 2018, Philadelphia-based Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) made combat sports history when it promoted the first legal, sanctioned and regulated bare knuckle event in the United States since 1889. “BKFC 1: The Beginning” took place in Cheyenne, Wyoming and featured 10 professional bouts, all under the auspices and control of the Wyoming Combative Sports Commission. BKFC uses only established fighters who have previously competed professionally in boxing, MMA, kickboxing and/or Muay Thai. All BKFC bouts are sanctioned and regulated by ABC member athletic commissions. For more information visitwww.bareknuckle.tv or follow on Twitter at https://twitter.com/bareknucklefc on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/bareknucklefc/ on YouTube athttps://www.youtube.com/
channel/UCEeMsInLdrUbIkbEcNm7g-A
 and on Facebook athttps://www.facebook.com/bareknucklefc.

MONSTER ENERGY BELLATOR MMA FIGHT SERIES VISITS TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY UNDER THE LIGHTS ON NASCAR RACE WEEKEND FRIDAY, OCT. 13

 

 

Also, Appearances by Former Bellator Champ and Monster Energy Athlete Michael Chandler and Heavyweight Fan-Favorite Roy Nelson

 

 

LOS ANGELES – The Monster Energy Bellator MMA Fight Series heads to the legendary Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala. for its third event on Friday, Oct. 13. For the first time, fighters will step into the cage after the sun has set on Friday evening, kicking off an exciting weekend for fans that culminates with the fifth race of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs on Sunday.

 

Ahead of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Alabama 500 on Sunday, Oct. 15, the Monster Energy Bellator MMA Fight Series will feature MMA action on Friday evening beginning at 8:30 p.m. CT at the Monster Energy Fan Zone in the Talladega Infield, immediately following the track’s “Big One on the Blvd” parade and party. Talladega Infield access is required for admission.

 

Additionally, on Friday, October 13 from 3-4 p.m. CT, fans will have the opportunity to meet former Bellator lightweight champion and Monster Energy athlete “Iron” Michael Chandler, as well as heavyweight fan-favorite Roy “Big Country” Nelson, at the Monster Energy Fan Zone in the Talladega Fan Zone, directly outside admission gates behind the north end of the frontstretch grandstands.

 

“The Monster Energy Bellator MMA Fight Series has been a great way for us to share MMA, as well as the Bellator brand, with an entirely new fan base this year,” said Bellator President Scott Coker. “With the support of Monster Energy, we’ve already seen the crossover appeal these events offer. I’m excited to head to one of the most iconic tracks in motorsports with Hans Molenkamp, Aaron Quesada, Austin Hodges and the entire Monster Energy team to bring Bellator MMA action to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs at Talladega.”

 

Through Bellator MMA, alongside longstanding partner Monster Energy, mixed martial arts will be included as a pre-race activation exclusively for fans in attendance. The lineup on Friday will consist of four MMA bouts featuring some of the best regional up-and-coming talent, with the main event prospects in consideration to be signed to a multi-fight Bellator MMA contract.

 

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Alabama 500 at Talladega takes place Sunday, October 15 at 1 p.m. CT. Tickets to the race are available at ‪NASCAR.com/tickets, TalladegaSuperspeedway.com/tickets or by calling Talladega Superspeedway at 1-855-518-RACE (7223).

 

Updated Monster Energy Bellator MMA Fight Series at Talladega Superspeedway Fight Card:

Lightweight Main Event: Omar Johnson (8-1, Birmingham, Ala.) vs. Jonathan Pearce (5-3, Johnson City, Tenn.)

Heavyweight Bout: Frank Tate (4-4, Birmingham, Ala.) vs. Kem Oti (2-1, Decatur, Ala.)

Middleweight Bout: Marcel Stamps (1-0, Birmingham, Ala.) vs. Derek Wilson (Pro Debut, Atlanta, Ga.)

Heavyweight Amateur Bout: Christian Echols (2-0, Cullman, Ala.) vs. Billy Swanson (7-1, Cleveland, Tenn.)

 

Please visit Bellator.com for details.

 

*Event schedule subject to change.

Mario Barrios Exicted About Making Rapid Return To The Ring 9/6 in Alabama


Photo By Lucas Noonan – PBC
SAN ANTONIO, TX (September 17, 2015) – Undefeated super-featherweight sensation, Mario Barrios (11-0, 6 KOs), makes a rapid return to the ring as he will fight an opponent TBA on the Wilder vs. Duhaupas card, taking place at the Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama, Saturday, September 26.
This will be the third 8-round bout for the San Antonio, Texas native.  In his last bout which took place on September 6th in Corpus, Christi, TX, Barrios scored an impressive fourth round TKO over Jose Cen Torres.  A body shot to the liver ended the bout at the 2:10 mark of the round.  Looking to stay active, Barrios is relishing at the opportunity to fight on another high profile card.
“This will be my second fight in September and I’m very pleased with the way my career is going.” said Mario Barrios. “I love staying active and I’m getting more comfortable in the ring with each fight.  Fighting in Alabama for the first time, on a big card featuring the heavyweight campion of the world, will be a great experience.  You can expect me to impose my game plan on my opponent, whoever that might be.”
PBC on NBC is headlined by heavyweight world champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder (34-0, 33 KOs) vs. Johann “Reptile” Duhaupas (32-2, 20 KOs) with televised coverage beginning at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT.  The broadcast will switch over to NBCSN at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT.

HOMETOWN HERO MAKES HISTORY: DEONTAY WILDER STOPS ERIC MOLINA, WINS BY 9TH-ROUND KNOCKOUT AT BARTOW ARENA 

 

SHO letterhead

Jose Pedraza Claims Vacant Junior Lightweight Title

With Dominating Unanimous Decision Over Andrey Klimov

 

Catch Replay Sunday, June 14 at 9 a.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME® and Monday, June 15 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME®

 

Click HERE To Download Photos

Photo Credit: Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME®

 

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (June 13, 2015) – In the first title fight in the state of Alabama, Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder (34-0, 33 KOs), had to work harder than expected before dismantlingEric “Drummer Boy” Molina (23-3, 17 KOs) with a ninth round knockout Saturday night in the main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® live on SHOWTIME.

 

Hometown hero Wilder, who was born and still resides just 60 miles down the road in Tuscaloosa, dropped Molina, of Lyford, Texas, with a straight right hand 63 seconds in the ninth round, prompting referee Jack Reiss to call the fight off as a result of Molina’s fourth and final knockdown of the evening in front of a raucous sold out crowd of 9,347 at Bartow Arena on the campus of University of Alabama Birmingham.

 

A game Molina surprised Wilder with his stamina and heart. “I was surprised by Molina, he showed tremendous heart,” said an elated Wilder as roars from the crowd rang down from the rafters. “All the critics doubted him, but he showed that he was a very tough challenger. I needed a tough guy who had heart and who could get dropped and still come back up.”

 

Wilder knocked down Molina once in the fourth round with a left hook and twice in the fifth round with his deadly right hand, looking as if the fight would be stopped before the start of the sixth round. But Molina was determined to get up and was even able to land a big right hand in the eighth round, stunning a seemingly tired Wilder.

 

Although not the outcome he had hoped for, Molina was grateful for the opportunity. “I gave it everything I had,” a dejected Molina said. “It wasn’t the result I wanted, but what can I do. It was my dream to fight for the title. Wilder is a great fighter and I want him to be great.”

 

Boxing historian and SHOWTIME Analyst Steve Farhood provided interesting insight after the main event. “I thought this fight produced three winners. Deontay Wilder, the state of Alabama and believe it or not, Eric Molina. Expectations were low for Molina, but he is going to get more offers based off this fight. He presented a reasonable challenge and fought with a lot of heart. The crowd was fantastic and I think that everyone would like to see Deontay Wilder fight here again.”

 

In the opening bout of the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING doubleheader, Jose “The Sniper” Pedraza (20-0, 12 KOs) dominated Andrey Klimov (20-1, 9 KOs) from the opening bell to claim the vacant IBF Junior Lightweight Title with a unanimous decision victory.

 

Pedraza, making his 2015 debut, triumphed by the scores of 120-108 twice and 119-109.

 

Pedraza was all smiles afterward. “I was very happy because I have sacrificed my life for the last 14 years to become a world champion,” he said. “It wasn’t easy but it’s a dream come true, a dream every fighter thinks about to become a world champion.”

 

From the opening bell, Pedraza, of Cidra, Puerto Rico, used his superior hand speed, combination punching and body jabs to create distance and keep Klimov, of Klimovsk, Russia, at bay. Pedraza landed 50 percent of his power shots compared to a 26 percent rate by Klimov. The Puerto Rican becomes the 62nd fighter  who has appeared on ShoBox: The New Generation, to become world champion.

 

Pedraza used previous Puerto Rican champions as motivation in claiming his first title.“Becoming the seventh Puerto Rican Champion at 130 means the world to me,” he said. “I look up to Miguel Cotto and now young Puerto Rican boxers are going to look up to me.”

After the fight, Klimov revealed why he was covered in blood for most of the night. “On the very first punch of the fight, Pedraza broke my nose and from that point forward I was playing catch up,” he said. “My ability in the ring was hindered because of my nose, as it kept on swelling.”

Although the nose was a factor in the fight, a battered Klimov made no excuses. “Pedraza did an exceptional job, he is a really good, fast fighter.”

Opening the SHOWTIME BOXING on SHO EXTREME telecast undefeated Julian “J-Rock” Williams (20-0-1, 12KOs) of Philadelphia, Pa. delivered an impressive sixth-round TKO (2:43) over Armen Ovsepyan (14-5, 11 KOs) of Yerevan, Armenia, to retain his WBC Continental Super Welterweight Title.

 

Williams started strong knocking Ovsepyan down with a big right hand 35 seconds into the first round. He continued to outbox Ovsepyan, breaking him down with big and accurate body shots with both hands. By the time of the stoppage, Williams had landed 52 percent of his total punches, compared to Ovsepyan’s 19 percent.

 

“I probably could’ve finished him earlier, but I wanted to take my time,” said Williams. “Despite what people may think, he’s a decent fighter and a good puncher. I didn’t want to force the knockout, because that can make a boxer look unpolished.”

 

“I got the knockout and I’m ready for the next stage of my career. I am calling out the entire division, but I’d like to start with Austin Trout. I turned 25 in April and I need to start building my resume because I want to be in the Boxing Hall of Fame someday.”

 

In the SHOWTIME EXTREME main event, undefeated Montenegrin Dejan “El Dinamita” Zlaticanin (17-0, 10 KOs) delivered an upset with the second knockout of the evening, tarnishing the unblemished record of Ukrainian Ivan “El Terrible” Redkach (18-1, 14 KOs) with a TKO at1:24 of the fourth round with a devastating left hook.

 

Redkach had a six inch reach advantage over Zlaticanin, but the Montenegrin was the stronger more accurate man landing 33 percent of his total punches compared to Redkach’s 21 percent. Redkach took a knee in the third after a low blow and an accidental headbutt that led to a small cut. At the time of the stoppage, Zlaticanin was ahead on all the scorecards, 27-30 and 28-29 twice.

 

A virtual unknown to U.S. fans coming in, Zlaticanin couldn’t contain his excitement afterward. “I feel like I am living a dream, I am very happy,” he said. “I beat somebody who is a boxing standout in America. I knew going into the fight that I was the better fighter. I really wanted to hurt him in that ring. I heard that he was a great boxer and power puncher, but he underestimated my talents. I showed the American fan base what I am capable of.”

 

After the fight, Redkach was visibly distraught. “I am very disappointed,” he said. “This is my first professional loss. I don’t understand why the referee stopped the fight when there was still over a minute left in the round. I felt perfectly fine in the ring that was a bad stoppage.”

In a swing bout, promising undefeated prospect Ahmed Elbiale (11-0, 10 KOs) of Miami, Fla. by way of Egypt, scored a 1:04, first round knockout over Donta Woods (8-5, 7KOs) of Atlanta, Ga.

 

# # #

 

“WILDER vs. MOLINA,” a 12-round fight for Wilder’s WBC Heavyweight Championship, took place Saturday, June 13, at The Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Ala. DiBella Entertainment and Bruno Event Team joined forces to bring the event to Alabama. In the co-main event co-promoted by DiBella in association with Universal Promotions, Jose Pedraza faced Andrey Klimov in a 12-round bout for the IBF Junior Lightweight World Title. It aired live on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. PT). The telecast was available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP).  Preliminary bouts were televised live on SHOWTIME EXTREME (7 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

THE HOMECOMING: DEONTAY WILDER VS. ERIC MOLINA  FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES AND PHOTOS

“Everybody knows that Deontay Wilder gets the job done. I worked too hard to get here to just give up the belt. I want all the belts, I’m greedy like that.” — Deontay Wilder

 

“When my dream becomes a reality on Saturday, I’ll come right back here and give Wilder the rematch.” – Eric Molina

 

THIS SATURDAY, JUNE 13, LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

FROM BARTOW ARENA IN BIRMINGHAM, ALA.

 

Click HERE To Download Photos

Photo Credit: Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME

 

Tickets Still on Sale!!!

 

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (June 11, 2015) – Two days before the first-ever world title fight in the state of Alabama, undefeated heavyweight world champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder and challenger Eric Molina participated in a tense final press conference Thursday at Embassy Suites in Birmingham.

 

The hard-hitting Wilder (33-0, 32 KOs), of Tuscaloosa, Ala, will be making the first defense of the heavyweight title he won impressively from Bermane Stiverne in January, when he meets Molina (23-2, 17 KOs), of Lyford, Texas, this Saturday, June 13, in the main event on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) from the Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Ala.

 

In the co-feature on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, undefeated Jose “The Sniper” Pedraza(19-0, 12 KOs), of Cidra, Puerto Rico, will be opposed by Andrey Klimov (19-1, 9 KOs), of Klimovski, Russia, in a 12-rounder for the vacant IBF Junior Lightweight World Championship.

 

In the main event on SHOWTIME BOXING on SHO EXTREME®, undefeated world-ranked contendersIvan “El Terrible” Redkach and Dejan “El Dinamita” Zlaticanin will square off in a 12-round eliminator. The winner between Redkach (18-0, 1 ND, 14 KOs), of Los Angeles, and Zlaticanin (16-0, 9 KOs), of Montenegro, becomes the mandatory challenger to Jorge Linares, the WBC 135-pound world champion.

 

Opening the SHO EXTREME telecast, unbeaten top 10-ranked super welterweight Julian “J Rock” Williams (19-0-1, 11 KOS, 1 ND), of Philadelphia, will be opposed by Armenia’s Armen Ovsepyan(14-4, 11 KOs), of Glendale, Calif., in an eight-round bout.  Time permitting, hard-hitting light heavyweights Ahmed Elbiali (10-0, 9 KOs, 1-1 WSB), of Miami, Fla, and Donta Woods (8-4, 7 KOs), of Atlanta, will collide in a four/six-round swing match.

 

Below is what the fighters and Hall of Fame promoter Don King had to say today:

 

DEONTAY WILDER, Heavyweight World Champion

 

“I’m thankful to everybody who has put together this great event. This is a dream come true for me. When I made my dream to become undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, I wanted to do something to change the Alabama sports landscape.

 

“People wanted me to rush my career, even I did at some points, but I’m a man who believes in timing and that there’s a moment when things should happen. We have to wait for our time.

 

“This is my destiny. Once I had my precious daughter she changed my life forever and she became my motivation to get here. She’s the reason I go hard in the gym, she’s the reason I carry myself the way I do.

 

“I worked too hard to get to this position. We’re not planning on this being the end.

 

“It’s a privilege to make history with the first world title fight in Alabama, in any division. I’ve been about making history my entire career since the amateurs.

 

“I love to fight, I love this sport. They say you have to eat, sleep and breathe it and I do. I’m never out of shape. This is my life.

 

“Everybody knows that Deontay Wilder gets the job done. I worked too hard to get here to just give up the belt. I want all the belts, I’m greedy like that.

 

“We respect Eric Molina and what he’s trying to do. It’s a great opportunity for him. I was once where he was, in my last fight.”

 

ERIC MOLINA, Heavyweight Contender

 

“I want to thank all the people of Alabama, who have made me feel right at home this week. My training team has been incredible.

 

“I’ve had Oliver McCall in my camp for four years, and he’s prepped me for my moment to shock the world, just like he did against Lennox Lewis.

 

“I’ve dreamed about that moment, I’ve thought about it since even before I got this fight. I was going to knock someone out and become heavyweight champion of the world. It seemed so real to me in my mind, and when we signed the fight it all came together.

 

“Everybody has written me off. I’ve never been undefeated and I’ve always been the underdog.

 

“When my dream becomes a reality on Saturday, I’ll come right back here and give Wilder the rematch.”

 

 

JOSE PEDRAZA, Undefeated Junior Lightweight Contender

 

“I’m very happy about this opportunity. I’m not worried about the big stage because I’ve been on the big stage before. I’ve been in the big fights before and I just want to make the most of this opportunity.

 

“It’s been a long camp this time but other than that there has been nothing different in training. It’s been the same great preparations as all my other fights.

 

“I have a different level of skills than Klimov. I’m fast and I can do it all. Right and left handed, you’ll see all my skills on Saturday.

 

“This means a lot to me and to the people of Puerto Rico. They want another champion and I’m going to be next. This is the most important fight of my career and I’m going to give it my all in there.

 

“Whoever says they don’t get butterflies before a big fight is lying, but I’ve been on this stage before so I know how to control them. One that bell rings I’m going for it.”

 

ANDREY KLIMOV, Junior Lightweight Contender

 

“I’ve been fighting in the U.S. for five years. I turned pro a little late but I always knew that I had the chance to be a world champion.

 

“Coming in as an underdog is nothing new to me. It’s happened over and over. I’m going to be there to fight, I’ll never give up.

 

“The loss was a learning experience. It was my first time under the real bright lights. I took the fight because I wanted to prove something. I was upset because I knew I could do better.

 

“People are going to talk about me differently after I win this world title. I’ve worked together great with my team. All the bumps in the road have gotten us to here.

 

“Pedraza was a great amateur and a very good fighter. Everyone at this level is a good fighter. If you look at who we fought, my level of competition has been much higher.”

 

JULIAN WILLIAMS, Undefeated Junior Middleweight Contender

 

“We had a very tough training camp. It seems like Ovsepyan comes forward a lot and throws a lot of punches. I’m going to just keep it simple, use the jab and work punches off of that.

 

“I haven’t thought about any other opponents besides Ovsepyan for the past three or four weeks because he’s the guy that I’m fighting, he’s the guy that’s gloved up. Nobody else will be in that ring besides him on Saturday night, so he is who I am worried about.

 

“I definitely tailor my training camp based on the opponent I will be fighting. I get certain guys to come in and spar with me that have similar fighting styles and body types as my opponent. I try to get the closest thing to my opponent in my sparring partners so that I can get a good feel for what the fight will be like.”

 

ARMEN OVSEPYAN, Junior Middleweight Contender

 

“I’m feeling prepared, boxed over 60 rounds for this fight and I’m definitely ready to go.

 

“I’m a fighter; I take hard fights, that’s what real fighters do.

 

“He’s very well-regarded but we’ll see how he likes it when I put a lot of pressure on him from the start. We both have two hands, I can win this fight.

 

“It’s going to be the best fight of the night, whether we need to go the distance or if we get the knockout early.”

 

 

IVAN REDKACH, Undefeated Lightweight Contender

 

“I’m excited for this; I’m never scared of the big moment. June 13 is going to be the most important date of my career.

 

“I’ve been in camp for four months and feel 120 percent that I’m ready to fight.

 

“My opponent always tries to go forward and is very strong. He’s always trying to throw, sometimes weird punches from bottom to side to top.

 

“I have harder fights ahead of me but we’ll see after this one if this is my toughest test so far.

 

“I’m very happy for this chance to fight on SHOWTIME, my teammates have prepared me very well for this and I’m excited.”

 

DEJAN ZLATICANIN, Lightweight Contender

 

“I’m not a novice, I’ve been around and I know how to fight. I’m strong and I’m not afraid to come forward. I know Ivan is the same way, so you know it’s going to be a great fight.

 

“In my mind, I’ve already seen Ivan knocked out. I’ve seen it happen and I’m going to see it again on Saturday.

 

“I’m going to come to work hard. I come from a small country in Montenegro and I’m not here to give anything away, I’m taking full advantage.”

 

 

DON KING, Hall Of Fame Promoter

 

“We’re going to have a terrific fight here in Alabama on Saturday night.

 

“Deontay Wilder has proven to be a tremendous fighter and he last proved it on January 17. I’m certain that Wilder doesn’t mean to transfer the belt like Bermane Stiverne did.

 

“Texans have an out of the box way of thinking, they just take what they want. You’re going to have an unstoppable force against the unmovable object. Only one will win.”

 

 

# # #

“WILDER vs. MOLINA,” a 12-round fight for Wilder’s WBC Heavyweight Championship, takes place Saturday, June 13, at The Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Ala. DiBella Entertainment and Bruno Event Team have joined forces to bring this event to Alabama. In the co-main event co-promoted by DiBella in association with Universal Promotions, Jose Pedraza will face Andrey Klimov in a 12-round bout for the IBF Junior Lightweight World Title. It will air live on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. PT). The telecast will also be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP).  Preliminary bouts will be televised live on SHOWTIME EXTREME (7 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

 

WILDER vs. MOLINA Official Weigh-In will be available for viewing across multiple platforms, including LIVE via satellite feed and the SHO Sports YouTube Page.  Friday’s feed from Birmingham City Hall will be hosted by Mauro Ranallo and will be available in High Definition.

 

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Bruno Event Team are on sale now.  Tickets start at only $25 with the best seats in the house going for $200.  VIP packages are also available.  To purchase tickets fans should visit alabamatitlefight.com.  Tickets are selling fast and a sellout is anticipated.

 

For more information visit www.sports.sho.com and www.dbe1.com follow on Twitter at @SHOSports, @BronzeBomber, @LouDiBella and @Swanson_Comm, follow the conversation using #WilderMolina, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing or visit http://shosportspoundforpound.tumblr.com/

HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION DEONTAY WILDER,CHALLENGER ERIC MOLINA AND UNDERCARD FIGHTERS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES & PHOTOS

Click HERE For Photos From Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME®

 

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (June 11, 2015) – Unbeaten Heavyweight World Champion Deontay Wilder, heavyweight challenger Eric Molina, along with co-headliners Puerto Rican junior lightweight Jose Pedraza and Russian amateur standout Andrey Klimov,kicked off fight week working out for the press at Round 1 Gym in Birmingham, Ala. in advance of their SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® bouts this Saturday, June 13, live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) at Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Ala.

 

Also in attendance Wednesday were, undefeated world-ranked contenders Ivan “El Terrible” Redkach and Dejan “El Dinamita” Zlaticanin, who will square off in a 12-round eliminator earlier that night in the main event of SHOWTIME BOXING on SHO EXTREME® (7 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

 

Here is what the fighters had to say Wednesday:

 

Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder

 

“This week has been fun. It’s been exciting. Even to see the people and faces. I’m looking forward to Saturday. It’s always the hard part when you have to wait. Especially when you’ve been training hard and it’s real intense. Everything has been great so far, and I’m glad it’s finally here. I’m looking forward to making history being that this is the first title fight in the state of Alabama. And I’m gonna put my name on it first.

 

“Training camp has been just like any other camp. When I’m at camp, I’m always giving my all, 110 percent. Because when it’s time to go battle, I gotta give 110 percent. I have to perform better than I did the last time. But this is what I do. I love it and enjoy every moment it.

 

“Molina’s height is something to watch out for. Everybody likes two tall guys in the ring. I’m definitely going to find out if his bark is as big as his bite. Right now his bark is loud. But we’ll see if his bite is as loud as his bark.

 

“I don’t watch video or study my opponents because the way you may see them fight someone else is not the same way that they’re going to fight you. I let my people do that and break them down. I trust in believe in them, and I like the challenge as well. That’s another reason I don’t look at film. We’ll find out what he’s about on Saturday.”

 

 

Eric “Drummer Boy” Molina

 

“Deontay is a very strong fighter,a big puncher and a big presence. But just as many strengths as he has, he also has weaknesses. We’re just trying to key in on those weaknesses.

 

“I know this is a big fight for Alabama. I respect that and it’s an honor, but I’m also trying to make history. I plan on being the first Mexican-American Heavyweight World Champion.

 

“My mental focus is on the heavyweight world title. When you expect to fight for the world title, you have to come into someone’s backyard and do what you have to put up with pressure. I can handle pressure.

 

“I’ve accepted my role as the underdog. The whole world has written me off. I’ve embraced the role. I’m used to motivating myself. I’ve never been stronger, more focused. I’ve never been more physically, mentally, spiritually strong. I’m ready to go. I’m ready to fight.

 

“This is two big guys in the ring, and I can punch just like he can punch. It’s going to be a very exciting fight.”

 

Jose “The Sniper” Pedraza

 

“This was a long, hard training camp. We began training for this shot in December. We have worked extremely hard and are ready to show the world on Saturday night.

 

“We have seen video of Klimov and know what to expect on Saturday night. We will take it round by round and break him down.

 

“We can box, or we can bang. Whatever Klimov brings to the table we will be ready for. I plan on using my boxing technique to control the pace, but if he wants to stand there toe-to-toe, we are fine with that as well.

 

“It is important for me to look better than Crawford did in his victory over Klimov. I want to show the world that I am one of the best fighters in the entire sport.”

 

Regarding the comparisons to fellow Puerto Rican Star Felix Verdejo – “Verdejo is a good fighter and a good guy, but Jose Pedraza will be the next world champion to represent the great country of Puerto Rico.”

 

Andrey Klimov

 

“This was a great camp. We worked very hard, and trained with a lot of different champions. I came out 100 percent mentally and physically ready to go.

 

“I feel that the fight with Crawford actually worked to my advantage more than my disadvantage. I learned a lot in that fight and I will use that on Saturday night against Pedraza. What Pedraza brings to the table on Saturday night I will be ready for it. There will be no surprises on Saturday night, I am ready.

 

“I am very confident going into this fight. Pedraza is a tough opponent but I don’t think he is ready for what I am going to bring.

 

“It is an honor to be here and fighting at this level. On Saturday night you will see a spectacular performance.”

 

Ivan “El Terrible” Redkach

 

“This was the hardest training camp I have ever had. I have been training four hard months for this fight and I am in the best shape of my career.

 

“Dejan is a very tough opponent. He comes forward and is very aggressive, but he is not as good as me. The world will see that come Saturday night. There is no doubt in my mind that I will be victorious.

 

“This fight brings me one step closer to a world title shot, something I have been dreaming about my entire life, and there is no way he is going to stop me from achieving that. The fans are not going to want to miss this fight on Saturday night, because it’s going to be a war.”

 

Dejan Zlaticanin

 

“We had great sparring for this camp and it has helped us become the absolute best possible fighter we can be going into Saturday night.

 

“I have no doubt and no fear. I am the better, more superior fighter.

 

“This fight will not go to the final bell. I am going to knock Ivan Redkach out. There is no doubt in my mind.

 

“The winner of this fight earns the shot to fight Jorge Linares for the world title, and that is exactly the fight I want. On Saturday night I will stop Redkach and earn the right to challenge for the world title.”

 

“It is very important for me to bring this victory back to Montenegro to all my fans and countrymen who are cheering me on.”

 

# # #

“WILDER vs. MOLINA,” a 12-round fight for Wilder’s WBC Heavyweight Championship, takes place Saturday, June 13, at The Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Ala. DiBella Entertainment and Bruno Event Team have joined forces to bring this event to Alabama. In the co-main event co-promoted by DiBella in association with Universal Promotions, Jose Pedraza will face Andrey Klimov in a 12-round bout for the IBF Junior Lightweight World Title. It will air live on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. PT). The telecast will also be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP).  Preliminary bouts will be televised live on SHOWTIME EXTREME (7 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

 

WILDER vs. MOLINA Official Weigh-In will be available for viewing across multiple platforms, including LIVE via satellite feed and the SHO Sports YouTube Page.  Friday’s feed from Birmingham City Hall will be hosted by Mauro Ranallo and will be available in High Definition.

 

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Bruno Event Team are on sale now.  Tickets start at only $25 with the best seats in the house going for $200.  VIP packages are also available.  To purchase tickets fans should visit alabamatitlefight.com.  Tickets are selling fast and a sellout is anticipated.

 

For more information visit www.sports.sho.com and www.dbe1.com follow on Twitter at @SHOSports, @BronzeBomber, @LouDiBella and @Swanson_Comm, follow the conversation using #WilderMolina, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing or visit http://shosportspoundforpound.tumblr.com/

BORN TO BE WILDER: 10 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW  ABOUT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION DEONTAY WILDER

Undefeated, Hard-Punching, Local Favorite

Defends Against Eric Molina This Saturday, June 13,
Live On SHOWTIME
® From Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Ala.; 

Photo Credit: Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME

 

Click HERE To Watch A Video About Wilder’s Return To His Homestate Of Alabama:http://s.sho.com/1FGY1D5

 

NEW YORK (June 9, 2015) – Unbeaten Heavyweight World Champion DeontayThe Bronze BomberWilder (33-0, 32 KOs), of Tuscaloosa, Ala., risks his perfect record and title against  Eric “Drummer Boy” Molina (23-2, 17 KOs), of Raymondville, Texas, this Saturday, June 13, in the main event on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® live on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) at Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Ala.

 

To kickoff fight week events, below are 10 fast facts you should know about Deontay Wilder (with his comments):

 

1. He has spent more than 1,000 hours getting tattoos covering his body, including one of the WBC heavyweight championship belt on his left thigh …

 

“It’s probably been more than 1,000 hours. Tattoos are a hobby for me. I enjoy putting my life story on my body.”

 

2. Has sparred over 50 rounds with Wladimir Klitschko, who holds the WBO, IBF, and WBA titles and is a potential future opponent …

 

It was a great experience. I learned a lot of things from him. Overall it was a great camp. One of the best camps I’ve ever been in. He was preparing for Mariusz Wach (November 2012).

 

3. He worked at IHOP, Red Lobster and Budweiser after dropping out of college to help pay his daughter’s medical expenses …

 

I went from IHOP, to AI-Three Company (Mercedes company), Red Lobster and Budweiser. The most interesting job was a delivery driver for Budweiser. I was still an amateur boxer. I had to get up at 4:30-5 a.m. every morning and I had to lift multiple amounts of beer. They probably put 1,000 cases of beer on my truck. I considered that a morning workout.”

 

4. He wrote a children’s book about winning the heavyweight championship …

 

It’s more of an inspirational book to let kids know that you have to work hard for whatever you want and can’t give up. Don’t let peer pressure stop you from accomplishing your goals. I probably will write another children’s book, because I love kids and I love being a father.”

 

5. He financially supports the Coffeyville (Alabama) gym for kids. It’s located in one of the schools that the town closed. He also helps teach the kids boxing …

 

We saw an opportunity to help Coffeyville out. It started when they closed the Coffeyville High School. A lot of kids had to wake up earlier than they would normally to travel miles and miles to school. The city was getting a bad rap. We did it to bring positivity to a small city. We wanted to bring something to do to the town. We did it to get the kids off the street and give them something to do. We got with the city and made the high school a gym. We enjoy working with the kids. They were never introduced to boxing. It does our hearts good to see the kids involved in a physical activity and being happy. Who knows? They might become champions one day.”

 

6. He was one of the athletes chosen to be a model for Ralph Lauren’s line of clothing at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing …

 

They let me model the clothes. I was one of the most handsome 2008 Olympic guys (he laughs). My coach met me one day and told me they wanted me to represent the clothes. I said yes, like I was getting married. It was a great proposal. I didn’t get to keep any of the clothes. I took modeling for granted. Getting into it, I thought it would easy. I understand what those guys go through. I respect models. I doubt you’ll see me on the runway. That was the beginning and the end of my modeling career.”

 

7. Wilder is often/always mistaken for NBA superstar LeBron James when he goes out in public …

 

All the time. I just smile. When they say I look like him, I politely disagree. The only similarities is our big smiles. I politely exit from that situation.”

 

8. He won the WBC heavyweight title on the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Muhammad Ali (who turned 73 that day) …

 

That was definitely a special moment for me to do that. Ali is my all-time favorite fighter. I have tapes of him when he was going up in the Olympics. I respect what he’s done in the sport. That was such a happy moment for me. With Martin Luther King, Jr. being one of our great civil right leaders, that did my heart good. It was a historical moment for me. How could I have lost that fight? It was once in a lifetime to get a fight on two special people’s birthdays. I’m still amazed now.”

 

9. His grandmother would not allow anyone to spank him because she said he was special and would grow up to do great things …

 

She always said I was anointed by God and destined to be great and do great things in the world. She’s not alive now to see what I’ve accomplished. I missed those homemade biscuits, peppermint tea and homemade chicken and dumplings that she used to make.”

 

10. He punched Bermane Stiverne so hard in the world championship fight that he bent the metal rods in his surgically repaired right hand …

 

That is true. Somewhere in the third or the fourth round. I realized it because my hand started going numb. I knew what it was, because I had it happen before. The first time I did it I knocked him out and I didn’t have to go through the entire fight. With this one it felt OK during the fight. It just let me know that through adversity anything is possible if you have the will and the mind to accomplish your goal. That’s what champions are made of. When you go to battle you’re going to do everything you have to do to win. That wasn’t the only injury. I had one eye going into the fight. I was handicapped the whole fight. The night before the fight I was stretching with a band. It came off my feet and hit me in the eye. When I woke up the next day I couldn’t see anything. Good thing I had my private doctor there. He treated the eye. I was seeing black and white before the fight, but I was already there and I was going to go through with the fight.”

 

# # #

“WILDER vs. MOLINA,” a 12-Round fight for Wilder’s WBC Heavyweight Championship, takes placeSaturday, June 13, at The Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Ala. DiBella Entertainment and Bruno Event Team have joined forces to bring this event to Alabama. In the co-main event co-romoted by DiBella in association with Universal Promotions, Jose Pedraza will face Andrey Klimov in a 12-Round bout for the IBF Jr. Lightweight World Title. It will air live on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. PT). The telecast will also be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP).  Preliminary bouts will be televised live on SHOWTIME EXTREME (7 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

 

For more information visit www.sports.sho.com and www.dbe1.com follow on Twitter at @SHOSports, @WilderVSMolina, @BronzeBomber, @LouDiBella and @Swanson_Comm, follow the conversation using #WilderMolina, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing or visithttp://shosportspoundforpound.tumblr.com/

DEONTAY WILDER & ERIC MOLINA CONFERENCE CALL TRANSCRIPT

 

Click HERE For Audio Link

 

Kelly Swanson

Thanks everyone for joining us today.  I’m excited about this call and this fight. Today we’re going to hear from both the fighters, Deontay Wilder and Eric Molina.  Joining us as well is Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment, and also Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager of SHOWTIME Sports.

 

So, to make the formal introductions, I’m going to turn it over to Lou.

 

Lou DiBella

Thank you, Kelly.  It’s always a real pleasure and honor whenever you get to promote a heavyweight championship fight, and Deontay Wilder is the first American heavyweight champion in quite a while.  He’s getting the opportunity to defend his title, his first defense in his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, on the campus of UAB from the Bartow Arena.

 

This will be televised as a main event on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on Saturday night, June 13.   This is an interesting time to be at the UAB campus because UAB just reversed a very controversial decision to disband its football program, so college football’s coming back to Birmingham and the campus of UAB and so is heavyweight championship boxing with Deontay Wilder.

 

Tickets are priced at $25, $50, $75, $100, $150, and $200, but there are less than 1,000 tickets left, and we expect a sold-out house of about 8,500 people and that tickets are going to sell out way before fight night.  So, if anyone wants tickets, get them as soon as you can at UABSports.com and AlabamaFightNight.com.  The doors will open at 3 o’clock.  The first bout will be at 3:30 p.m., and then SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHP BOXING on the air at 9 p.m. ET, 8 p.m. CT, and 6 p.m. PT.

 

The opening bout on SHOWTIME is a terrific world championship fight itself between 130-pound title contenders, Jose Pedraza and Andrey Klimov.  I’d like to invite Executive Vice President and General Manager of SHOWTIME Sports, Stephen Espinoza.

 

Stephen Espinoza

Thanks very much, Lou.  It’s an exciting day for all of us here at SHOWTIME.  Earlier today, we announced the imminent launch of a new online streaming service, SHOWTIME Direct to Consumers, which means all our award-winning programming, including all of our live boxing telecasts, will be available on the live East and West Coast feeds for SHOWTIME as well as all of our on demand content.  That service will launch in mid-July.

 

Later tonight, we have a great episode of 60 Minutes Sports, which includes a very revealing interview with some of the latest developments in the Pippa scandal.  That’s followed by the premier of ALL ACCESS: Deontay Wilder.  That’s at 10 p.m. ET/PT.  We’ll take a look back at Deontay’s signature win, that which earned him the heavyweight title through the award-winning lens of the series, and we’ll also, as usual, be taking a closer look at the personal side and showing you some of the depth of Deontay’s character that fans might not be familiar with this fall.

 

As for Saturday the  13, we have a big night of fights, perhaps one of our strongest nights of the SHOWTIME Extremecards to date.  That kicks off at 7 p.m. ET/PT.  That will kick off with two undefeated fighters in a WBC 135-pound elimination bout, Ivan Redkach, who many of you have seen several times on ShoBox against Dejan Zlaticanin, who is a very tough challenger.  Also, one of the staples of Extreme and a very highly regarded prospect, Julian Williams of Philadelphia, will be in tough against a Russian welterweight prospect, Arman Ovsepyan.

 

Then it’s SHOWTIME, a championship double header, as Lou indicated.  In the opening bout, we have undefeated amateur standout, Jose Pedraza of Puerto Rico facing heavy hitter Andrey Klimov.  Pedraza, of course, has represented Puerto Rico in the 2008 Olympics, was a gold medalist at the 2010 Central American and Caribbean games.  You’ve seen him featured on ShoBox.  He’s a very skilled fighter.

 

Andrey Klimov, also a top amateur, former Russian lightweight belt holder.  His only loss, of course, is to the current WBO 140-pound champion, Terence Crawford.  Lou will give  a little bit more into detail on main event and introduce the fighters, but allow me to say that we do expect a tremendous turnout for our first world champion boxing event and for our SHOWTIME Boxing telecast in the state of Alabama.

 

As we know, a packed arena adds a tremendous element of excitement to live television.  We’re proud to present this compelling and refreshing world heavyweight title fight live on SHOWTIME.

 

Back over to you, Lou.

 

L. DiBella

Thank you very much, Stephen.  The heavyweight championship bout features Deontay Wilder being challenged by Eric Molina.  Molina is 23-2 with 17 KOs.  He’s on a five-fight  winning streak and a three-fight  knockout streak, including a career best win over Davarryl Williamson.  His only loss since his pro debut came against Chris Arreola.  He’s ranked number 9 by the WBC.

 

He’s also a really interesting guy as I’ve gotten to hear him a few times over the course of this promotion, who does a lot to give back to his community, who has a great sense of charity and community, and he’s made it very clear that he’s got nothing to lose here.  He’s viewing this as an opportunity of a lifetime, and that he’s going to do anything and everything to shock the world and take that world championship away from Deontay Wilder.

 

So, it’s my pleasure to introduce world title challenger, Eric Molina.

 

Eric Molina

Hello, guys.  Just like Lou just said, that was a good introduction of who I am and what I’m coming in to do.  We’re very excited about the fight, the opportunity to go down to Alabama.  We know it’s going to be a very hectic environment down there, very uncomfortable environment, but Wilder is the champion, and he gets to enjoy all these privileges of all the guidelines of where we fight and all the logistics of it, so we’re excited for the opportunity to fight for the heavyweight world title and we are very prepared.

 

Training camp is going extremely well.  We’re closing up our training camp on Saturday, and we should be ready to go down to Alabama on Monday.  Everything’s looking very good, and we’re ready to go.

 

L. DiBella

Thank you, Eric.  Fight week, next week, there’ll be a slew of events leading up to the fight, including a workout on Wednesday and a public weigh-in on Friday.  I’d like people to follow AlabamaTitleFight.com for all details as they’re updated, including a lot of details about stuff that’s open to the public and that the people of Birmingham can enjoy during fight week, so that’s www.AlabamaTitleFight.com.

 

One of the proudest sons and the greatest sons of Birmingham, Alabama, is a young man who’s a physical specimen.  He’s 33-0, with an incredible knockout rate of 32 KOs in 33 fights.  Deontay Wilder had a brief but decorated amateur career that concluded with a trip to the Olympics where he won a bronze medal for the United States.  He won a 12-round decision over Bermane Stiverne in January to become the WBC heavyweight champion.

 

In his professional career he’s knocked out former Olympic gold medalist, Audley Harrison in one round, former heavyweight title holder, Sergei Liakhovich in one round.  He only began boxing in 2005, and his quick ascent in the sport was pretty amazing and actually the inspiration for a children’s book called Deontay the Future World Champ, and I guess that children’s book was prophetic because it’s now Deontay, the World Champ.

 

He was born in Tuscaloosa, grew up a diehard Crimson Tide fan, and he’s returning home to fight in Alabama for the first time in three years to defend his WBC heavyweight title for the first time.

 

So, it’s my honor and pleasure to introduce WBC heavyweight champion of the world, Deontay Wilder.

 

Deontay Wilder

Hello, guys.  I’m excited to have this opportunity to get back in the ring and display my talent more.  All the people that are going to be watching and the people that are going to be in attendance, it’s a pleasure and an honor to be able to get in the ring to do something that I love to do and I have a very strong passion about, so I’m excited about June 13.  I’m excited about coming to my home state of Alabama.

 

When I set forth becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, I got one part of it becoming the heavyweight champion, the WBC heavyweight champion of the world.  I’ve still got a long way to go, but I’m honored and pleased to have my very first title defense in Alabama.  We’re going to make history come June 13 by having the first title fight of any division in the state of Alabama, and that’s a pleasure and definitely an honor to me.  So, me and Eric will definitely be witnessing and making history come June 13.

 

I appreciate him for signing the contract and accepting this opportunity.  A lot of guys don’t get an opportunity to be able to fight for a world title, and I congratulate him on the opportunity.  I know it’s going to be a great fight.  He’s going to come to fight, and that’s what I expect.  I expect a great fight. He’s someone that got a big bark but want a big bite in the ring as well too, so that’s what I expect.  To all my fans, he’s coming to enemy territory.  He’s coming to an arena filled with nothing but majority of hometown people in the state of Alabama, so that’s a tough environment to come into and then facing one of the most dangerous guys in the division to date.

 

So, I applaud him for that.  I’m just ready. I’ve been waiting for a long time to get back in the ring.  After my last fight, I want to stay consistent.  I want to stay busy in fights.  I love to do this. God gave me the opportunity to do this.  I’m going to keep doing it, keep giving the fans what they want to see, and that’s great fights and defending my title as much as possible.  You can tell by my voice that I’m super excited.  I can’t wait.  There’s nothing like what I do, my job, and that’s to whoop a**, and I can’t wait to get up in there come June 13.

 

L. DiBella

Thank you, Deontay.  Well, now we’ll open it up for questions.

 

Q

As my understanding is, Deontay, a couple years ago, or three years ago, whenever it was, not that long after you turned pro, that the people in Alabama really created the boxing commission that is there to regulate the sport basically because they wanted their favorite son, Deontay Wilder, to be able to fight in the home state and to put on these kind of big shows.

 

When that happened, was the ultimate goal for you to put on a big event in your home state?

 

D. Wilder

This definitely was the ultimate goal.  My trainer and co-manager, Jay Deas, we set forth a goal to getting a commission here.  We had a lot of great champions that’s from here but couldn’t get fight due to the fact that there was no commission here.  I already had plans of after the Olympics turning pro and staying and residing here in my home state. I had a vision for this state.  I wanted to make it bigger than just college football.  I gave them opportunities to have a professional sport here, and that’s boxing, so once we got our commission, it was uphill from there.  A lot of people have gotten on board.  A lot of people have never troubled with boxing, period, in their life, until they read about the story of my movement, what’s going on, and a lot of people had lost interest in boxing until they read about my story, my movement.  Now, they’re on board.

 

So, it became a bit of a thing for the state of Alabama now, so they put me on top as far as the sport is concerned here in the state of Alabama because there’s nothing like a world sport, nothing.  Nothing national can compete with a world-level sport.

 

Q

I was wondering if you could mention who are some of those other top contenders that you guys looked to fight before you decided to make an agreement with Eric?

 

D. Wilder

Well, at this moment, I feel like stating names is irrelevant right now.  Next week will be fight week, and everything is focused on Eric Molina.  That’s the main focus, and I love the guys.  It wouldn’t do any good stating names.  They had the opportunity.  Eric stepped up to the plate, and we’ll congratulate him.  We’re going to put on a great performance June 13.

 

Q

How do you respond to the people who say,  ‘Eric Molina, who’s that?  And why should he be in a heavyweight championship fight?’

E. Molina

Well there are a lot of casual boxing fans out there that really don’t know too much about Eric Molina.  I have been in pretty big fights.  I fought Tony Grano, the NABF champion, ranked in the top 10  in the world for over a year.  If you look at my record, you see two losses.  In the casual boxing sense, you see those two losses.  Only a fighter knows how hard it is to bounce back from losses like those.

 

So, the casual fan doesn’t say ah, well, they say he’s got these two losses, but I know what I’ve been through to come back from my losses, things that I’ve learned from my losses, and I positioned myself back into being a top contender in the world.

 

A lot of these fights on my resume, you see fights, but you don’t see the other angles of what’s on the table, how long I had to prepare, the things I had to go through outside of the ring, so I’m glad that June 13th is coming up.  We’ve had a very smooth training camp, and I’m coming in with everything.  I’ve never been this prepared for a fight before.  I’ve never had the privilege to come in this prepared for a fight, so we’re excited about it.

 

Q

Eric, because your two defeats were in the first round, and because Deontay has so many first-round knockouts, he’s a fast starter, how pivotal is getting through the first round in this fight?

 

E. Molina

Well, it’s definitely important.  I think that this is definitely a fight that from the first bell, I think it’s going to be a fast-paced fight.  Deontay Wilder’s a big puncher, but I feel that I’m a big puncher also, so I think that it’s very important to be ready from the first bell.  Anything could happen at any given second.  It’s a heavyweight world title fight.

 

Q

Do you kind of feel that some pressure’s off of you to try to knock out everybody, or have to knock out everybody?

 

D. Wilder

I mean, you can say so, but I don’t live my life with pressure.  I’m an easy-going person.  I’m the type of person, people’s opinions about me doesn’t matter, especially when I’m in the ring because I know that everything I do, I prepare for, I train hard for each and every time, in camp, in training.

 

I’m always training, I never stop.  I don’t take any days off.  I’m always training because I love to do this.  I love to box.  I love to be able to get in there and perform for the fans, so I don’t have any days off.  But you can’t please everybody.  There are too many billions of people in the world to try to please every opinion, to try to please everybody. Even when people said things about me, what I couldn’t do, my last fight I proved everything to them.  That made me an even more dangerous fighter because now people know what I’m capable of doing.  Not only that I’m a puncher, but I can box.  I can have fun.  I can go 12 rounds and make it seem like it is nothing.  I can take a punch.  That’s nothing, but we’ve been telling people for years what I could do, just needed the right person in there for me to display my talents.  There’s no pressure on me at all.

 

I don’t go in there and try to look for the knockout, anyway.  I go in there and let my hands go, and if I get the knockout, I get it.  I would prefer the knockout, of course.  This is a heavyweight division.  It’s all based about power.  When people get dressed up and come out to that fight, they come to see a knockout.  They want to see a couple of rounds or whatever, to see what kind of skill and will that person has, maybe a little heart, and then they want to see the knockout because they’ve got other things planned for that night.

 

And when they come to see a Deontay Wilder fight, that’s what I want to bring them.  I want to bring them knockouts, but that last fight, it meant so much more than just a knockout because I did, I wanted to prove to people what I was capable of doing.  I think that particular night, winning a title, that was the perfect moment to prove what I’m capable of doing and what I’m all about.

 

So, now it’s time to get back on to my knockout streak like people expect from me, and that’s what I want to do, so here we go, baby.

 

Q

Lou, how were the ticket sales for the fight coming up?

 

L. DiBella

The ticket sales have been fairly remarkable, actually, 7,500 tickets already sold.  The capacity’s 8,500, so we’re not even in fight week and we’re looking at a sellout.  We’re not in the last few days, and we’re looking at a sellout.  I think we’re going to sell out before there’s a walk-up.

 

Q

Deontay, how does it feel just to go 12 rounds?  It’s something you hadn’t done yet in your professional career, and how did it feel just to not to say get the rounds, just to quiet a lot of the critics.  That was the one knock against you, how would you do in a 12-round fight?

 

D. Wilder

To go 12 rounds is, it’s something I do in training, I do in camp.  The hardest part in boxing is not the part where you go out there and compete and fight your opponent.  It’s the training part.  That’s the hard part, the training, what people don’t really see.

 

They think fighters just go out there one night, they fight 12 rounds or less, and then that’s it, they get paid, oh, that’s it.  But the hard part is in camp, what you do in training, what you do in camp.  That’s the ultimate hard part of it and we-12 rounds is nothing.  I’ve been telling 12 rounds is nothing to me.  It’s an appetizer.

 

Most of the time, we go 15.  After getting my belt, I was traveling for three months.  I got right back in the gym and did 20 rounds, easy, because I’m never out of shape.  I’m always full of energy.  I love to do this, so to go to 12 rounds, that wasn’t anything.  As you can see, I still had energy to go even six more, seven more rounds in that fight.  But to silence the critics, now, we’re talking about something.

 

To silence the critics, that was such a joyful feeling for me.  That right there meant a lot to me because like I said, we live in a world that’s based on opinions of many people.  Some people know what they’re talking about.  The majority of them and most don’t know what they’re talking about, and it was a remarkable feeling to be able to silence the critics.  It was even enjoyable to see their faces, to see their voice, to have to eat their words.  That was enjoyable right there.

 

Q

Did you ever think that in your wildest dreams this fight next Saturday would be taking place?

 

D. Wilder

I did dream it.  Sometimes things start with a dream, and they say dreams do come true, but dreams only come true if you allow them to.  It is not just going to come true just because you had dreamt it.  You’ve got to dream it, and then you’ve got to apply some kind of ultimate goal to it.  Then when you set a goal, you’ve still got to apply self-preservation, as far as gaining that goal and making that dream come true.

 

I dreamt it.  I spoke it into existence.  I believe in the power of the tongue, and I made my dream come true, and now we about to have it, about to make it the biggest thing in the state of Alabama.  It’s just a blessing.  I told people before, I’m a blessing to the state of Alabama, and a lot of people have agreed with me, that’s for sure.

 

So, I am very honored to be able to fight in my state because a lot of fighters can’t fight in their state.  A lot of fighters don’t have a home to come to, they have to fight elsewhere, but I have the honor and the privilege to have a state that’s behind me and has loved me, and I’m looking forward to it.  And like I said, me and Molina are going to make history that night.  Win, lose, or draw, we’re going to make history that night in the state of Alabama.

 

Q

How do you try to eliminate the distraction of fighting at home, people talking about bigger fights for you in the future?   How do you focus on this particular fight and not look forward or not get kind of caught up in the hoopla now of being the heavyweight champion?

 

D. Wilder

Well, for me it’s just when I look at an opponent, the task that lies at hand, I automatically focus on that.  I can’t look past nobody.  I can’t put nobody aside.  I treat every opponent that I get in the ring, no matter what their record is or what their resume may read, I look at this opponent as if he’s the most dangerous person in the world.

 

I look at an opponent as if I’m still a contender trying to gain me a world title, and that’s how I do all my opponents.  And by doing that, it keeps me focused.  It keeps me humbled as well too to do what I’ve got to do because this is boxing, and this is the heavyweight division.  Anything can happen in boxing.

 

No man can ever feel like he’s bigger than the next person because once you start doing that, you start loosening up, your training starts to get a little lighter because you’re not training, you don’t have that hunger any  more, and a lot of things will start to get exposed.  People take advantage of that and feel confidence in themselves.

 

So, I don’t want to be that type of fighter that I feel like oh, I’m at the top now, I don’t have to train as hard as I was when I was a hungry fighter, because I’m still hungry.  I’ve still got goals, I’m still looking to do things in this sport to make it bigger and better.   I tell people all the time that even though I’m the WBC heavyweight champion of the world, my heart still feels like a contender, and by my heart still feeling like a contender, it keeps me humble.  It keeps me grounded.  It keeps me very, I mean, very, very hungry.

 

Q

To quote Ric Flair, ‘To be the man, you’ve got to beat the man.’ And you know, the man in the heavyweight division for the last decade or so has been Wladimir Klitschko.  A lot of people are discussing you as the heir apparent to that, so while you’re staying hungry and moving up the chain and continuing to fight, is that something that’s in the back of your mind, and do you think that’s something that you’re going to have to conquer to truly be the full heavyweight champion of the world?

 

D. Wilder

Well, I’m going to put it like this, that fight is titled not if it’s going to happen, but when it’s going to happen.  Of course, that’s something I think about, but at this moment in time, I’m not focused on him.  He will get his turn as well too, and last time I checked, I have the most prestigious, most well-known, most precious, beautiful belt in all of boxing, something that’s been around for a very long time, and that’s the WBC crown, it’s something that everybody wants.

 

So, I have that.  I’m the owner of that, so I’m not worried about anything else.  Right now, it’s all about Deontay Wilder and Eric Molina, and that’s what I’m looking forward to, Deontay Wilder versus Eric Molina.

 

Q

Eric, is it motivating to you to — when you hear people say that you’re just someone to help Deontay — a spotlight matchup, a homecoming match, someone that he can look good against?  Does that give you even more motivation than just the fact that you’re fighting for the heavyweight championship of the world?

 

E. Molina

It definitely motivates me more because people have their opinions, and like Wilder said, a lot of people don’t know too much about different angles of boxing, so people don’t want to give me a shot, people don’t think I have a shot, and that’s fine.  I’ve used it as motivation.  I’ve definitely trained hard.  I’m stronger than I’ve ever been, and I’m not here to convince people to give me a shot or not.  I know what I bring to the table.  I know the size and strength that I bring to the table, and I don’t have to convince nobody to root for me or to give me a shot or to believe in me.

 

The people that love me, the people, my family and my fans, they believe in me, and I believe in myself, more importantly.  So, we’re coming in, I’m coming in June 13th, and I’m blessed to, well, God  has given me more strength than I’ve ever had, and I’m excited, and we’re good to go.

 

Q

Deontay, you had spoken about obviously being Alabama’s fighter, Alabama’s hero.  There’s some deep divisions in the state there.  You’re from Tuscaloosa.  You’re an avowed Alabama fan.  Have you united even the Auburn people behind you?

 

D. Wilder

I’m representing — Alabama football has its own rival and different things like that, but this is not Alabama football, this is a heavyweight championship world title fight, and I’m representing not only just Tuscaloosa, I’m representing the whole state.  I’ve got the whole state behind me.  This is a worldwide event, so I just can’t say I just got Tuscaloosa or have a rival with Auburn.  No, I’m representing the whole state of Alabama, and the whole state of Alabama is behind me.  That’s the unique and the special thing about it, that I’m representing the whole state, and people love that.  I’m looking forward to – definitely it’s going to be a packed venue, that’s for sure.  I’m looking forward to that and moving on to an even bigger venue than the state of Alabama.

 

We’ve got even bigger venues, and I’m looking forward to packing everything out, but right now it starts with the Bartow Arena.  I’m looking forward to displaying my talent there and making history right there, the first title fight in Alabama in any division right there at Bartow Arena.

 

Q

Klitschko was extended a little bit in his last time out with Bryant Jennings.  Did you see anything there that led you to believe that this guy’s not Superman?

 

D. Wilder

I mean, we all did.  We all seen loose holes.  We all see something that was there.  If anybody says they didn’t, then they’re a liar.  We all seen that, but when that time comes, I’m going to execute those things that I saw.  But right now, it’s hard to talk about another fighter when you’ve got one fighter that you’re getting ready to face and is on the phone now.

 

My focus is not on another fighter because if I don’t get past him, we can forget talking about anybody else.  It’s irrelevant to talk about anybody else if this fight isn’t done.  It’s not over yet, so it’s hard for me to state or talk about another fighter when I’ve got a task that lies at hand.

 

Once I get finished with Molina, then we can come back and talk about Klitschko.

 

Q

Do you give Tyson Fury much of a chance against Wladimir, and  whether or not he gets wiped out against Wladimir, is that still something you’d like to do, come to England and take Furyon, shut his mouth up?

 

D. Wilder

I give Tyson a great percent of the chance of coming in and being a new world champion.  It’s  all going to depend on him, how serious he takes this business, this game, how serious he takes training and the preparation for that.  I wish him luck on everything he does and on becoming the world champion.

 

There’s nothing like setting a goal to become a world champion and being that, seeing your hand raised high with that belt saying you are the world champion.  It’s a great feeling to be a world champion, so it’s going to be up to him.  Like I said before, we’ve seen what Klitschko did in his last fight, and we’ll see how he can adjust to a bigger fighter.  These are bigger guys now, and that’s what’s running division, the bigger guys.  That’s fine.  All the taller fighters in the heavyweight divisions are taking over, so we’ll see what Tyson has lies ahead, so we can only wait.

 

Q

Deontay, do you think you could be bigger for boxing than Floyd Mayweather?

 

D. Wilder

Oh, definitely.  Most definitely, and I say that with high confidence because the heavyweight division is the cream of the crop in the first place, and the things that I bring, the excitement, the personality that I have,  everything about me is all me, is totally me.  Some people, some guys when they have cameras in their face, they pursue to be a certain type of person.  Their persona about them changes or whatever, and then when the camera is off, they’re a whole totally different person.  I don’t have flip personalities.  I’m not a fake person.

 

Everything about me is real, everything you see, even the ALL ACCESS (on SHOWTIME).  You know, you all watch the ALL ACCESS, everything is me.  Nothing is scripted.  Nothing is planned out, nothing.  I can’t sit back and let somebody script something out about my life and what it is because it’ll be fake, and I won’t be able to go through with it because it wouldn’t be me.

 

So, I think I bring a lot of excitement to this division.  I have woken up a lot of people as far as friends to come back to the division and stuff like that, and I know I’m doing the right things.  People love me.  That’s what it’s all about, but I’m just glad to be a part of the movement because we’ve got a lot of other exciting heavyweights that have made it – come back alive again as well too, whether it’s bashing up the talking or whether it’s the excitement of the performance of their fights.  So, the division is definitely on the rise, and I’m looking to be the biggest thing in boxing, period.

 

Q

Deontay, you’ve said several times that your focus is just on this fight and Eric Molina and not anybody else in the heavyweight division.  Could you talk a little bit about what you know about Eric Molina and why you think you’re going to be victorious in this fight?

 

D. Wilder

Well, the only thing I know about Eric, he’s got a nice size as far as height-wise.  His weight, I know the record about the guy, and he looks pretty exciting.   He’s not the biggest, or tallest, but when people see two tall guys, I think he’s 6’5″ and I’m 6’7″, so when people see two big guys get in there, they automatically see the excitement and thrill, what they can bring.  I’m not the type of guy that looks at any kind of films or nothing like that.  I don’t believe in it.  I’ve never done it in all of my career, and I’m not going to start now.

 

I like to have a challenge.  I like to be surprised in the ring to see what they have so I can adjust to that fighter when I get them in the ring.

 

Q

Why do you think you’re going to be able to win in this fight?  What are your advantages?  You’re the favorite, obviously, but why do you think that’s going to play out?

 

D. Wilder

Well, my confidence is at an all-time high.  I’m always confident in any opponent that I get in the ring with.  That’s just my mentality.  I feel like if you don’t believe in yourself, then it’s hard to convince or motivate somebody else to believe in you.  You can have all the greatest trainers and all the strength trainers, the top of the line strength trainers in the world, but if they don’t really believe in what you’re doing, you don’t really believe in yourself first, then you can’t get those guys to be motivated to believe in yourself.

 

So, first and foremost, I believe in myself.  My confidence has always been over the top, no matter what opponent I get in the ring with. A definite advantage I have is my speed, my footwork and the power that I bring.  My defense is remarkable with my footwork.  My athleticism kills a lot of the fighters, and that’s what I’m going to bring to the ring.  So, I’ll come through anybody.  They’re all going to try and come, and that’s what they’re supposed to do.  I just hope they come in the hopes of really trying to take it.  That’s what I’m looking for.  I’m looking for a guy that’s very hungry, that’s really trying to take this belt, to make this exciting.  I want the most challenging opponent that I can get.

 

Q

Eric, obviouslywe know that Deontay’s the favorite.  He’s going to have the crowd behind him.  Why do you think you can win this fight being the underdog?

 

E. Molina

I’ve realized one thing, that people keep saying Alabama this and Alabama that.  We know how hectic it’s going to be going down there.  That’s what the heavyweight world championship belt’s all about.  You can’t expect to go in and fight no easy fights.  I mean, you want to become champion, you’ve got to go through hell to get it.  I’m expecting to go down to Alabama.  It’s going to be a hard situation, a very uncomfortable situation, his backyard, his people, his commission, his everything.

 

But to be heavyweight world champion, this isn’t easy, so I’m excited.  I’m mentally focused to go down there and face all these things.  Number one, I want to bring that title back.  I want to bring it back home.  And like I said, if people don’t give me a shot, I don’t got to convince them to give me a shot or not to give me a shot.  I know what I’m bringing to the table.  I know what I’m coming to do, and that’s all that counts.

 

Q

Eric, howmuch do you think you’ve improved as a fighter in the last few years?  Because you know everyone’s going to look at your record, they’re going to look at the loss to Arreola three years ago.  How much do you think you’ve improved since then?

 

E. Molina

Well, I’ve always believed that special fighters are able to learn from their losses, but not all fighters can learn from their losses.  I believe I’m a special fighter because I’ve learned from my losses, and I know I’ve learned from my losses.  I’ve been able to bounce back.  I’ve been able to be a better fighter.  I’ve been able to put things together better, and I mean, a lot of things about my record that people don’t really understand is how hard it is for somebody to bounce back from some of the losses that I’ve been through, how hard it really is.

 

So, I’ve definitely handled those things that were very challenging, and I’ve regrouped.  I’ve put myself back together.  I’ve become a contender again, and I’m definitely a stronger, more experienced, more confident fighter.  And I’m ready.

 

Lou DiBella

That’ll be it, guys. Thank you, Deontay.  Thank you, Eric.  Thank you, everybody, for joining us.  Just one more time, the event will be at the Bartow Arena on the campus of UAB in Birmingham, Alabama.  Tickets are $25, $50, $75, $100, $150, and $200, but there are less than 1,000 tickets left.  We expect a sold-out house of about 8,500 shortly, so get your tickets quickly at UABSports.com and AlabamaTitleFight.com.  Showtime Championship Boxing will be on the air at 9 p.m. Eastern Time, 8 p.m. Central Time, 6 p.m. Pacific Time.  The doors open to the arena at 3 p.m., first fight at 3:30 p.m., and thank you all for joining us.

 

# # #

“WILDER vs. MOLINA,” a 12-Round fight for Wilder’s WBC Heavyweight Championship, takes place Saturday, June 13, at The Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Ala. DiBella Entertainment and Bruno Event Team have joined forces to bring this event to Alabama. In the co-main event co-romoted by DiBella in association with Universal Promotions, Jose Pedraza will face Andrey Klimov in a 12-Round bout for the IBF Jr. Lightweight World Title. It will air live on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. PT). The telecast will also be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP).  Preliminary bouts will be televised live on SHOWTIME EXTREME (7 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

 

For more information visit www.sports.sho.com and www.dbe1.com follow on Twitter at @SHOSports, @BronzeBomber, @LouDiBella and @Swanson_Comm, follow the conversation using #WilderMolina, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing or visit http://shosportspoundforpound.

UNBEATENS IVAN REDKACH, DEJAN ZLATICANIN  CLASH IN MAIN EVENT ON SHO EXTREME®  WINNER GETS CRACK AT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Rising Star Julian Williams Aims to Remain Undefeated

Saturday, June 13 at Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Ala.

 

NEW YORK (June 5, 2015) – With a shot at a lightweight world title on the line, undefeated world-ranked contenders Ivan “El Terrible” Redkach and Dejan “El Dinamita” Zlaticanin will square off in a 12-round eliminator Saturday, June 13, in the main event of SHOWTIME BOXING on SHO EXTREME® (7 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) at Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Ala.

 

In the co-feature, unbeaten top 10-ranked super welterweight Julian “J Rock” Williams (19-0-1, 11 KOS, 1 ND), of Philadelphia, will be opposed by Armenia’s Armen Ovsepyan (14-4, 11 KOs), of Glendale, Calif., in a ten-round bout.  Time permitting, hard-hitting light heavyweights Ahmed Elbiali (10-0, 9 KOs, 1-1 WSB), of Miami, Fla, and Donta Woods (8-4, 7 KOs), of Atlanta, will collide in a swing match.

 

Later that evening, in the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®main event, undefeated WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder (33-0, 32 KOs), of Tuscaloosa, Ala., will make the first defense of his title when he faces Eric “Drummer Boy” Molina (23-2, 17 KOs), of Raymondville, Texas, live on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT).

 

The winner between Redkach (18-0, 1 ND, 14 KOs), of Los Angeles, and Zlaticanin (16-0, 9 KOs), of Montenegro, becomes the mandatory challenger to Jorge Linares, the WBC 135-pound world champion who registered a 10th-round TKO over then-No. 1 contender Kevin Mitchell on May 30.  Zlaticanin and Redkach are the second- and third-rated contenders by the WBC at 135 pounds.

 

Redkach and Zlaticanin are talented southpaws who were both accomplished amateurs in Eastern Europe.  Redkach, a 2008 Olympic Games alternate for his native Ukraine, is known for his aggressive and relentless style.  The 29-year-old is coming off a sixth-round knockout over Yakubu Amidu last Jan. 9 on ShoBox: The New Generation and has been angling for a title shot in 2015.

 

“This is the most important fight of my life,” said Redkach, who made ESPN.com’s “Top 20 Prospects to Watch” lists in 2012 and 2013. “I’ve never trained longer or harder for a fight.  My trainer, Robert Garcia, has me totally prepared and in great shape.

 

“It’s going to be a good action fight.  I’ve watched tapes of [Zlaticanin’s] last two fights so I feel I’m familiar with him.  He’s very strong and he throws a lot of punches.  I thank him [Zlaticanin] for coming to the United States.  I’m honored.  But this is a good matchup for me.  I want to thank my team for giving me this opportunity.  This is another step closer to my dream, the world title.  I’m confident in myself. I’m going to put on a great show.”

 

Dejan (pronounced “DAY-han) Zlaticanin (silent “z” – pronounced “la-ti-CAH-nin) is making his U.S. and 2015 debut.  Zlaticanin’s most significant victory of his career came two outings ago when, as a prohibitive underdog, he earned a well-deserved 12-round split decision over hometown favorite Ricky Burns, a former two-division world champion.

 

The 31-year-old Zlaticanin, who moved training camps to the U.S. for his stateside debut, is an offensive-minded fighter who constantly pressures his opponents, outworks them and wears them down.  Zlaticanin, of the Southeastern European country of Montenegro, represents the toughest opponent of Redkach’s career, though he’ll be giving away four inches in height to his opponent.

 

“I think I will knock Ivan Redkach out,” Zlaticanin said. “I don’t like his behavior.  Now that I’m training in America, I think I will be stronger and better than I was before.”

 

The fast-rising Williams, 25, is making his sixth appearance on SHO EXTREME, more than any other boxer.  Ranked in the top ten by multiple sanctioning bodies, the undefeated 154-pounder has won six consecutive fights, four by knockout since a bout with still-unbeaten Hugo Centeno Jr., ended in a fourth-round No Decision in September 2013.  Williams was up, 3-0 in rounds scored, when the fight was halted due to an unintentional clash of heads.  In his last start he scored one knockdown en route to a shutout 10-round decision over veteran Joey Hernandez on April 4.

 

“I’ve seen some tape on my opponent,” Williams said. “He seems to be a really good, solid fighter.  I’m expecting a tough fight, and I’m prepared. I’m ready.”

 

The 29-year-old Ovsepyan trains out of the Wild Card Boxing Club in Los Angeles and has campaigned for most of his career in California or Russia.  The aggressive-minded Ovsepyan has had difficulty getting fights in the past and this will be his first ring assignment in 13 months.

 

“I’ve been training for a whole year now,” he said. “They kept telling me that I could get a fight at any minute. I was supposed to have a fight in December, but it was canceled.

 

“I’ve seen Williams fight a couple of times, but it doesn’t matter to me.  I don’t even want to know anything about my opponent.  I just want to get back in the ring and get a win.  I’m hungry and he better not be taking me lightly.”

 

In the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING co-feature, undefeated Jose “The Sniper” Pedraza(19-0, 12 KOs), of Cidra, Puerto Rico, will take on Andrey Klimov (19-1, 9 KOs), of Klimovski, Russia, in a 12-rounder for the vacant IBF Junior Lightweight World Championship.

 

Brian Custer will host the SHOWTIME EXTREME telecast with Barry Tompkins calling the blow-by-blow at ringside alongside expert analyst Steve Farhood.

 

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Bruno Event Team are on sale now.  Tickets start at only $25 with the best seats in the house going for $200.  VIP packages are also available.  To purchase tickets fans should visit alabamatitlefight.com.  Tickets are selling fast and a sellout is anticipated.

 

# # #

“WILDER vs. MOLINA,” a 12-Round fight for Wilder’s WBC Heavyweight Championship, takes placeSaturday, June 13, at The Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Ala. DiBella Entertainment and Bruno Event Team have joined forces to bring this event to Alabama. In the co-main event co-romoted by DiBella in association with Universal Promotions, Jose Pedraza will face Andrey Klimov in a 12-Round bout for the IBF Jr. Lightweight World Title. It will air live on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. PT). The telecast will also be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP).  Preliminary bouts will be televised live on SHOWTIME EXTREME (7 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

 

For more information visit www.sports.sho.com and www.dbe1.com follow on Twitter at @SHOSports, @BronzeBomber, @LouDiBella and @Swanson_Comm, follow the conversation using #WilderMolina, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing or visit http://shosportspoundforpound.tumblr.com/

 

DEONTAY WILDER, ERIC MOLINA, JOSE PEDRAZA MEDIA DAY WORKOUT QUOTES & PHOTOS

 

Heavyweight World Championship Saturday, June 13,
Live On SHOWTIME
® From Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Ala.;

ALL ACCESS: Deontay Wilder Premieres June 3 On SHOWTIME

 

Click HERE To Download Photos Of Deontay Wilder

Photo Credit: Bill Hoffman

 

Click HERE To Download Photos Of Eric Molina

Photo Credit: Joel Martinez/SHOWTIME

Click HERE To Download Photos Of Jose Pedraza

Photo Credit: Victor Planas/Universal Promotions

 

NEW YORK (June 1, 2015) – Unbeaten Heavyweight World Champion DeontayThe Bronze BomberWilder, confident heavyweight contender Eric “Drummer Boy” Molina and unbeaten junior lightweight Jose “The Sniper” Pedraza participated in Media Day Workouts last Thursday for their fights Saturday, June 13, on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® live on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) at Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Ala.

 

The power-punching, popular hometown favorite Wilder (33-0, 32 KOs), of Tuscaloosa, Ala., will make the first defense of his title when he meets Molina (23-2, 17 KOs), of Raymondville, Texas, in the main event on June 13. Pedraza (19-0, 12 KOs), of Caguas, Puerto Rico, will meet Andrey Klimov (19-1, 9 KOs), of Klimovski, Russia, in a 12-rounder for the vacant IBF Junior Lightweight World Championship in the co-feature.

 

Below is what Wilder, Molina and Pedraza said during their separate Media Days in Northport, Ala., Weslaco, Texas and Cidra, Puerto Rico, respectively:

 

DEONTAY WILDER, Heavyweight World Champion

 

“It’s definitely a blessing to be able to fight in my state. When we set the goal to be heavyweight champion of the world that was one of the goals we set, to bring it to Alabama. Just to change it up and give Alabama some spice besides football, and to finally get the opportunity to have a major fight in the state of Alabama. This is what we were looking for when we worked to bring the commission here, and we were successful and got it done. This is what we were looking for.

 

“I want Alabama to be my home territory. It’s why I stay here. Some people still try to throw me out but my heart is here and I’ve got bigger and better plans. This is just the beginning.

 

“My team handles all the distractions (from fighting at home). I’ve got a wonderful team. I’m just ready to go. I’m ready to get this party started and welcome Molina to Alabama.

 

“My hand is fine.  We tested it yesterday for 10-ounce gloves because that’s the competition weight. We put it on and I felt great. It gave me even more confidence. I’m ready to get in the ring and do what I have to do and perform for my people.”

 

(on being world champion)

 

“We knew we would be doing a lot of traveling after getting the belt but we didn’t know the capacity of how much. It’s been a journey for me.

 

“I think I bring a different flavor to the sport of boxing, and I want to bring even more to the world.”

 

(on Molina)

 

“I haven’t heard from Molina but that’s good, that means he’s focused. I want him to come very focused. I know he’s going to be nervous and scared, but they say if you back a rabbit in a corner, they fight back.

 

“I’m most dangerous when I’m at home. I’m not going to let down my home crowd and let someone take what I’ve worked so hard for. He’s not going to come behind enemy lines and take anything from me.

 

“I want a great performance from him. I want a great performance for the crowd and people to say, ‘Hey, I want to come back for the next one!’ and to be hungry for the next one. We got a lot of fights we want to do in Alabama, and this is just the start. I want to move on from Bartow to the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC), which is bigger than the MGM Grand.

 

“Every title defense is proving something. I’m the world’s most wanted, and everyone wants it. I’ve got the WBC crown. It’s the most well-known, famous belt in boxing. Everyone wants their name on this belt, and I have it. Every fight is a dangerous fight when I’m putting the belt on the line, and I train as if everyone is a world champion.”

 

(on why he’s defending against Molina)

 

“We have a lot of other opponents, but Molina was the one to understand the opportunity that lies at hand. Some people can price themselves out and some teams make it so difficult that the fight won’t happen. They can really block themselves out from getting the fight. You can have the money or the opportunity. Molina understands what the situation is, and he stepped up to the plate and understands the opportunity at hand to be the World Heavyweight Champion.

 

“My last fight I proved to everyone what I was capable of. I can go 12 rounds and take a punch.  I can be just as fresh in the 12th round as the 1st.

 

“The sky’s the limit in what we’re trying to do. I represent the state. Even though I’m from Tuscaloosa, it’s not just where my gym is in Northport or Coffeeville. I represent the state of Alabama. I need a home territory and a home state not only where we can bring in local people, bring in the nation, but also bring in the whole world.”

 

ERIC MOLINA, Heavyweight Contender

 

“This is the fight that we dream about when we first lace on the gloves and I am extremely excited about the opportunity to fight for the biggest prize in sports, the WBC heavyweight title. I’ve been preparing and training very hard, and I’m almost at the point where we’re ready to go.

 

“We’ve studied a lot of Wilder, and expect a very physical fight. I think a lot of people are underestimating my strength and power. They know Wilder can punch but they are underestimating the power that I possess.

 

“We know it’s going be a hostile environment, fighting in basically his backyard, but he’s now the champion and with that he gets an opportunity in his optional title defense (to fight who he wants, where he wants). He gets to enjoy those opportunities, but that’s where I come in.

 

“Of course, I’m confident I can win the title. I think people look at my record and think this or that, but I don’t feel they understand my entire career, the things I have gone through and overcome, the different angles of boxing that more than meets the eye.

 

“Nothing against Deontay, who has worked hard to get to where he is, but he doesn’t represent the kind of fighter, in general, that I am. I’ve always had to fight and struggle from fight to fight. I never had a true training camp situation. I’m not saying he had things easy, but I had to work and juggle things to keep going. Only the fighters in my situation can understand it.

 

“I’ve been boxing for nine years. I have a BS and Master’s Degree and I’m in my fourth year teaching kids with disabilities. Along with boxing, this is what I do. This is who I am, and I am not ashamed of who I am either. I’m proud. If they want to consider me an underdog, fine. But I’m also the guy who got knocked out in his first pro fight and battled back to where I am now and I’m fighting for the championship.

 

“What people don’t know about me is that my career has been all about determination, strength and struggles. Other boxers, including Bernard Hopkins, lost their first fights and went on to win a world title. I’ve learned a lot from my two losses and now I have the confidence to accomplish anything.

 

“Bottom line is I am not trying to convince anybody who I am, I just want people to see who the real Eric Molina is — that I am more than what my record on paper indicates. I was NABF champion for a while but could never get a fight so I was dropped from the rankings. It was like I had to start over again. But I stuck to it, and with everything else I had going on outside the ring, things I had to put aside for this fight, still managed to get into the position I’m in now.

 

“I don’t think there’s ever been a heavyweight contender like me. Where I train, there are no other real heavyweights except for one or two. I have to fly guys in to help me work with the guys already here. I’ve been in camps with Bermane Stiverne; I often had to go to where the sparring was just to get the work.

 

“I’ve never been in a spot where things have been easy for me in boxing. I never had the odds on my side, the tools, the resources. But I still made it this far and want to go farther.

 

“I think the first round is very important. I expect that from the get-go that he will feel like he could hurt me, but I also feel very strongly that I could hurt him. So it is very important to be ready for that first bell.

 

“This is going to be a great fight, much, much better than many may be expecting, and I am ready.”

 

JOSE PEDRAZA, Unbeaten Junior Lightweight Contender

 

“As a Puerto Rican, every time I fight, I fight for the honor of my people. So, on June 13, I won’t only be fighting to win a world title, I’ll be fighting for Cidra, Puerto Rico and for all the Puerto Ricans out there watching me. Puerto Rico needs another champion and I’m here to deliver and make my people proud. I cannot afford to let them down. I won’t let Puerto Rico down. I’ll come back a champion.

 

“This is a great opportunity fighting on a big show on SHOWTIME. It has taken hard work, dedication and long gym work to obtain this big exposure on SHOWTIME.


“My last fight against Michael Farenas was very important to me because that fight was a title eliminator and, by winning, it opened the door to this fight and finally my dream of becoming world champion is close to arriving.


“It has been a long and hard training camp — intensive. We opened camp in Las Vegas in December. This camp has been special because it is for the world championship.


“Andrey Klimov is a strong boxer, always going forward, the jab and straight right are his best shots. The only thing I see is he is strong and has good fitness. From his last fight against Terrence Crawford I could see that he has problems when he fights a left-handed boxer with good movement. I will be working in side steps and with speed.


“I hope that he comes well prepared for me. We must do our best to give the fans a good show. OnJune 13, I will be a new champ and after that I want to make two defenses and move to 135.”


# # #

ALL ACCESS: Deontay Wilder, which chronicle’s the champion’s January fight against Bermane Stiverne and sets the stage as he prepares for his upcoming title defense, premieres on Wednesday, June 3 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.
“WILDER vs. MOLINA,” a 12-Round fight for Wilder’s WBC Heavyweight Championship, takes placeSaturday, June 13, at The Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Ala. DiBella Entertainment and Bruno Event Team have joined forces to bring this event to Alabama. In the co-main event co-romoted by DiBella in association with Universal Promotions, Jose Pedraza will face Andrey Klimov in a 12-Round bout for the IBF Jr. Lightweight World Title. It will air live on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. PT). The telecast will also be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP).  Preliminary bouts will be televised live on SHOWTIME EXTREME (7 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

 

For more information visit www.sports.sho.com and www.dbe1.com follow on Twitter at @SHOSports, @WilderVSMolina, @BronzeBomber, @LouDiBella and @Swanson_Comm, follow the conversation using #WilderMolina, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing or visit the SHOWTIME Boxing Blog at http://theboxingblog.sho.com.