Tag Archives: Artur Beterbiev

ARTUR BETERBIEV WON’T FIGHT IN RIO OLYMPICS

MONTREAL, Canada (June 15, 2016) After careful consideration, rising Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) star and double Russian Olympian, Artur Beterbiev, will not take part in the qualifying process to earn a spot to compete in the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

An Olympic qualifying tournament for professional boxers will be held July 3-8 in Vargas, Venezuela, following the decision of the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) to include professionals in the Olympic tournament.

However, Beterbiev (10-0, 10 KOs), who made a triumphant return to the ring after a one-year absence on June 4 at the Bell Centre in Montreal against Argentinian Ezequiel Maderna (23-3, 15 KOs), will not be there.

“After analyzing all situations, we came to the conclusion that the current situation was not favorable,” GYM president Yvon Michel explained.  “The short-term goal for Artur Beterbiev is to become world champion in the pro ranks. He will be back in the ring in September.”
 
Currently world ranked in the top 10 of the light heavyweight division — IBF # 2,  WBC and WBA #4, WBO #7 and The Ringmagazine #9 — Beterbiev has already participated in the Olympics twice: 2008 in Beijing (178 lbs.) and 2012 in London (201 lbs.).

“Regardless of my boxer’s objectives, ” Beterbiev’s head trainerMarc Ramsey said, “I’m behind him 100-percent.  However, the main goal remains the conquest of a World title.”
 
INFORMATION:
Twitter:  @YvonMichelGYM, @ABeterbiev
Instagram:  @YvonMichelGYM, @ArturBeterbiev

ARTUR BETERBIEV RETURNS TO THE RING AND REMAINS UNDEFEATED WITH TKO VICTORY OVER EZEQUIEL MADERNA IN MAIN EVENT OF PBC ON ESPN AND ESPN DEPORTES FROM BELL CENTER IN MONTREAL

 
Bryant Perrella Scores TKO Over David Grayton In Battle Of Unbeaten Welterweights
 
Click HERE For Photos*
Photo Credit: Dave Nadkarni/Premier Boxing Champions
 
Click HERE For Fight Highlights
MONTREAL (June 4) – As the world mourns the loss of Muhammad Ali, Saturday night’s Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on ESPN and ESPN Deportes telecast began with a “Ceremonial 10-Count” in memory of “The Greatest” and continued to pay tribute to him throughout the telecast that was headlined by a light heavyweight bout between hard-hitting Russian Olympian Artur Beterbiev against Argentina’s Ezequiel Maderna.
The 31-year-old Beterbiev (10-0, 10 KOs), who fights out of Montreal, returned to the ring after an almost year-long layoff following shoulder surgery. Now seven months removed from the procedure, Beterbiev looked sharp from the opening bell as he threw straight right hands and body shots effectively to start the fight.
Maderna, who was also coming off of a long layoff, was hoping to make a statement in his first fight on North American soil as he moved up in weight for this bout. Beterbiev utilized his power and precision to control the entire fight, but kicked it into high gear in the third round, sending the 29-year-old Maderna to the canvas with two right hands. He stood up, but soon after was sent to the canvas again. This time, spitting out his mouth piece to delay the bout causing Referee Marlon B. Wright to deduct a point.
At the start of round four, Maderna was dropped with a punishing right hand. He rose to his feet only find himself canvas agan, looking at his corner, they threw in the towel and the fight was stopped at 54 seconds of round four.
”I am really satisfied by my performance,” said Beterbiev. “I want to thank my team for their patience during my inactivity.”
”My guy did really well after an absence of a year,” said Beterbiev’s trainer Marc Ramsay. “He is very special. In a short or medium period of time, we want to fight in a world championship.”
The PBC on ESPN telecast, which is the first of seven between June 4 and August 12, opened with two welterweight southpaws facing off in hopes of maintaining their undefeated records. However, it didn’t take long for Florida’s Bryant Perrella (14-0, 13 KOs) to prove he was the better man as he scored a second round TKO over Washington, D.C.’s David Grayton (14-1, 10 KOs).
Grayton was more active at the beginning of the fight, working his right hand on the inside. Perrella used his longer reach and height difference to his advantage as he did his best to dictate the pace. Perrella knocked Grayton down in the beginning of the second round and became forceful with the right hand as Grayton left himself open to punishment. Finally, Perrella threw a left that caused Grayton to stumble and referee David Griffin waved off the fight at 2:19.
“He came in real tough – a tough competitor,” said Perrella. “I was the best man tonight. I caught him with some really hard shots, dazed him. I took my time, I listened to what my team said and got him out of there.
“This is tremendous,” Perella continued. “This is what we’ve been wanting for a while to fight another undefeated prospect and get the recognition we feel we deserve. The welterweight division is filled with lions, tigers and bears, but I’m Tarzan baby. I’m the king of this jungle. I’m ready for whatever.”
Also featured on the telecast was a six-round super welterweight contest between prospect Jamontay Clark (10-0, 6 KOs) of Cincinnati and Mexican warrior Edgar Ortega (16-6, 10 KOs). The game Ortega shocked the six-foot-two Clark in the first round, sending him to the canvas with a hard right hand. Clark regained his composure in between the first and second, controlling the fight from then on. Despite taking the fight with nine days’ notice, Ortega stayed with Clark all six rounds, even rolling his ankle in the fourth. After the final bell rung, Clark remained undefeated, registering a unanimous decision victory with the judges scoring the bout 58-55 and 58-54 (twice).
For information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com andwww.groupeyvonmichel.ca,  follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @ABeterbiev @@yvonmichelgym, @ESPNBoxing and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/premierboxingchampions
and www.Facebook.com/WarriorsBoxingPromo.  Highlights available to embed at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions. PBC on ESPN is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

Heavyweight Contender Oscar Rivas Battles Jeremy Bates & Undefeated Prospect Jamontay Clark Faces Edgar Ortega  in Undercard Action Saturday, June 4 From Bell Center in Montreal

 
Plus! Full Night of Undercard Attractions
 
Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN Headlined by Knockout Artist
Artur Beterbiev Against Argentina’s Ezequiel Maderna Begins at
11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT
 
MONTREAL (June 2, 2016) – Heavyweight contender Oscar “Kaboom” Rivas (18-0, 13 KOs) and unbeaten prospect Jamontay “Quiet Assassin” Clark (9-0, 6 KOs) will enter the ring in separate bouts that highlight undercard action onSaturday, June 4 from the Bell Center in Montreal.
Rivas will take on Jeremy “The Beast” Bates (26-17-1, 22 KOs) in an eight-round heavyweight attraction while Clark faces Mexico’s Edgar “Nene” Ortega (16-5, 10 KOs) in an eight-round super welterweight contest.
The June 4 event features a Premier Boxing Championson ESPN doubleheader headlined by the return of light heavyweight knockout artist Artur Beterbiev against Argentine Olympian Ezequiel Maderna. Televised coverage begins at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT with a battle of undefeated welterweights Bryant Perrella and David Grayton.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM), are on sale at the Bell Centre box office, on www.evenko.ca, at GYM (514) 383-0666 or at Champion boxing club (514) 376-0980.
Additional undercard action features a slew of Canadian prospects as Quebec’s Sebastien Bouchard (12-1, 4 KOs) faces Belgium’s Arnaid Dimidschtein (11-10-2, 3 KOs) in an eight-round welterweight bout, Montreal’s Vislan Dalkaev (6-0, 2 KOs) battles Mexico’s Javier Franco (25-17, 6 KOs) in a six-round super middleweight contest, Montreal’s Dario Bredicean (8-0, 2 KOs) taking on Hungary’s Balasz Horvath (25-17, 6 KOs) in six rounds of super middleweight action and Toronto’s Parnell Fisher (0-1) against Larami Carmona (1-2) in a four-round featherweight fight.
Rivas, who represented Columbia at the 2008 Olympics has fought most of his pro fights in his adopted hometown of Montreal and will make his 11th appearance at Bell Center onJune 4. The 28-year-old is riding a seven-fight knockout streak and most recently took down Joey Abell in the second round of a November 2015 fight. He will take on the West Virginia-born Bates who enters this fight on a four bout win streak.
Clark, a highly-regarded prospect and Cincinnati-native impressed in his hometown last time out by stopping veteran Elvin Perez in the sixth round in February. The 21-year-old is unbeaten since turning pro in 2014. He will take on Ortega out of Torreon, Mexico who has fought professionally since 2012.
For information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com andwww.groupeyvonmichel.ca,  follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @ABeterbiev @@yvonmichelgym, @ESPNBoxing and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/premierboxingchampions.Highlights available to embed at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions. PBC on ESPN is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

Undefeated Knockout Artist Artur Beterbiev Returns to Take On Light Heavyweight Contender Ezequiel Maderna In Main Event Of Premier Boxing Champions Live On ESPN & ESPN Deportes Saturday, June 4 From Bell Center in Montreal (11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT)

For Immediate Release
 
Unbeaten Rising Welterweight Contenders Meet As
Bryant Perrella Battles David Grayton in Co-Main Event
 
Tickets on Sale Now!
MONTREAL (May 18, 2016) – Unbeaten light heavyweight contender Artur Beterbiev (9-0, 9 KOs) will battle veteran Argentine Olympian Ezequiel Maderna (23-2, 15 KOs) in a 12-round showdown that headlines Premier Boxing Champions(PBC) live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes Saturday, June 4 from Bell Center in Montreal.
Televised coverage begins at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT and features an exciting co-main event that sees a pair of undefeated rising contenders enter the ring as Florida’s Bryant Perrella (13-0, 12 KOs) squares-off against Washington, D.C.’s David Grayton (14-0, 10 KOs) in a 10-round welterweight bout. PBC on ESPN returns for the first of seven fight nights between June 4 and August 12 that will feature exciting and competitive battles.
“I have never been out of the ring for a whole year as an amateur or professional so I can’t wait to fight,” said Beterbiev. “We’ve watched some tapes of Maderna and he seems like a complete fighter. We will be ready on June 4.”
“I’m working very hard in preparation of this fight,” said Maderna. “My goal is to fight a perfect fight that will be very important to my professional future.”
“I’m excited for an opportunity to take on a young undefeated lion who’s looking to become a world champion like myself,” said Perrella. “We’re grinding away every day at training camp. We have some new things we’re working on because we know he’s going to come at me hard. I’m ready to either box or brawl. Either way, I’m coming out on top.”
“I’m ready to get in the ring and put on a great performance,” said Grayton. “Training is going well and I’ve had lots of good sparring and conditioning. We know we have a rangy southpaw who’s going to be tough. It’s about whoever wants it the most and I bet I’ll be hungrier. When I get the win, the sky is the limit.”
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM), are on sale at the Bell Centre box office, on www.evenko.ca, at GYM (514) 383-0666) or at Champion boxing club (514) 376-0980.
“We will launch the Grand Prix activities, which is the biggest sports week in Montreal, with this card,” said Yvon Michel, President of GYM. “Artur is the next boxing superstar in Quebec. He injured his shoulder, but the surgery fixed everything. We plan for him to fight three times in 2016. We want Sergey Kovalev by the end of the year or beginning of 2017.”
Beterbiev returns to his adopted homeland after last fighting in June 2015 and recovering from a shoulder surgery. A two-time Russian Olympian, Beterbiev has fought out of Montreal for his professional career that began in 2013. The 31-year-old has sent all of his opponents out within the distance including dominating performances over former world champions Tavoris Cloud and Gabriel Campillo.
Maderna turned pro in 2008 after representing his native Argentina in the 2008 Olympics and was unbeaten in his first 19 fights before losing a narrow decision to Edwin Rodriguez. Both of the 29-year-old’s defeats have come to unbeaten fighters and he enters this fight on a three bout winning streak including a first round knockout of Rolando Mansilla his last time out.
An undefeated 27-year-old out of Fort Myers, Florida, Perrella comes in off a second round stoppage of Ramon Ayala in January. He picked up five knockouts in a row in 2015 and looks to make it 11 in a row overall when he faces his toughest test yet on June 4.
A Washington D.C. product, Grayton was a National Golden Gloves Champion who beat Errol Spence Jr. on his way to picking up that title. The 28-year-old entered the professional ranks in 2012 and is unbeaten since. He began 2016 with a stoppage of Daniel Souza Santos in January and now looks to make his mark in a competitive welterweight battle.
For information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com andwww.groupeyvonmichel.ca,  follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @ABeterbiev @@yvonmichelgym, @ESPNBoxing and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/premierboxingchampions andwww.Facebook.com/WarriorsBoxingPromo.  Highlights available to embed at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions. PBC on ESPN is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

BETERBIEV IS BACK! Arthur Beterbiev vs. Ezequiel Maderna June 4 at Montreal’s Bell Center PBC on ESPN in U.S., PPV in Canada

MONTREAL (May 11, 2016) —  World light heavyweight contender Artur Beterbiev returns to the ring Saturday night, June 7, to defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) International and North American Boxing Association (NABA) title belts against Argentinian champion Ezequiel “El Olympico” Maderna in the 12-round main event at historic Belle Centre in Montreal, Canada.
 
Presented by Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM), the “Grand Prix” boxing event is part of the prestigious Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) series, which will air live in Canada on pay-per-views starting at 8:00 p.m. ET via Canal Indigo, Bell TV and Shaw TV.  The main event and co-feature, commencing at 11:00 p.m. ET / 8:00 p.m. PT, will be broadcast on ESPN in the United States.
 
“We will launch the Grand Prix activities, which is the biggest sport week in Montreal, with this card”, said the President of GYM, Yvon Michel. “Artur is the next boxing superstar in Quebec. He injured his shoulder, but the surgery fixed everything and we plan to give him three fights in 2016. We aim at Sergey Kovalev by the end of the year or the beginning of 2017.”
The 31-year-old Beterbiev (9-0, 9 KOs), the adopted son of Montreal, is on a seek-and-destroy mission for his first fight in one year. The two-time Russian Olympian (pictured to the left) hasn’t fought since last June, when he stopped Alexander Johnson in the 7thround, due to a shoulder injury that required surgery.
 
Beterbiev is world ranked among the top six in all four major sanctioning organizations:  IBF #2, WBO & WBA #4, and WBC #6.  The power-punching Betervbiev will be defending his WBO International and NABA titles against Maderna.
 
During his 3-year professional career, Beterbiev has defeated two former world champions, Gabriel Campillo and Tavoris Cloud.
 
 
Maderna (23-2, 15 KOs) is a veteran fighter from Argentina, the same country that has produced numerous championship boxers, from Luis Firpo to Sergio Martinez, as well as well standout contemporaries such as IBF cruiserweight champion Victor Ramirez, along with contenders Lucas Matthysse, Jesus Cuellar, Omar Narvaez and Juan Carlos Reveco.  In his most recent action last May, Maderna stopped Rolando Wenceslao Mansilla in the opening round for the Argentina super middleweight championship.
 
Also airing on ESPN in the co-feature, undefeated American prospects Bryant “Goodfella” Perrella (13-0, 12 KOs), fighting out of Fort Myers, Florida, and David “Day Day” Grayton (14-0, 10 KOs), of Washington D.C., square off in a 10-round middleweight bout.
 
Unbeaten super welterweight Jamontay “Quiet Assassin” Clark (9-0-0, 6 KOs), from Cincinnati, Ohio, meets an opponent to be determined in a 6-round “TV swing” match.
Montreal’s undefeated heavyweight Oscar “Kaboom” Rivas (18-0, 13 KOs), also a 2008 Colombian Olympian, returns in an 8-round bout versus TBA.
 
Also fighting on the undercard is popular French-Canadian welterweight Sebastian Bouchard (12-1, 4 KOs) who meets an opponent to be determined in an 8-rounder; Montreal super bantamweight Vislan Dalkaev (6-0, 2 KOs) vs. Mexican invader Javier “El Chivero” Franco (25-17-4), Montreal super middleweight Dario Bredicean (8-0, 2 KOs) against TBA and Toronto’s Parnell Fischer (0-1, 0 KOs) vs. Mexican opponent Larami “Sir” Carmona (1-2, 0 KOs) in a 4-round fight.
 
All fights and fighters are subject to change.
 
Tickets are on sale at the Bell Centre box office, on www.evenko.ca, at GYM (514) 383-0666) or at Champion boxing club (514) 376-0980.
 
INFORMATION:
Twitter:  @YvonMichelGYM, @ABeterbiev, @OscarKaboom
Instagram:  @YvonMichelGYM, @ArturBeterbiev

Artur Beterbiev injured in training

MONTREAL (October 20, 2015) – Montreal’s adopted son and light heavyweight contender Artur Beterbiev (9-0, 9 KOs) will not be fighting November 28 at the Centre Vidéotron in Quebec City. The Groupe Yvon Michel-promoted boxer injured his shoulder during training last week, forcing him to withdraw from his bout.
 
Beterbiev is currently world rated at No. 2 by both the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Organization (WBO), as well as No. 3 by the World Boxing Association (WBA) and No. 4 by the World Boxing Council (WBC).
 
The decision was made this morning (Tuesday) after the two-time Russian Olympian met GYM’s doctor, Francis Fontaine, and surgeon David Baillargeon determined Beterbiev needs minor but necessary surgery to his right shoulder.
 
Under my supervision, Artur had a magnetic resonance examination Friday,” Dr. Fontaine explained. “After a meeting this morning, we have decided that Artur’s surgery would be performed in the next few days by specialist Dr. Baillargeon. We expect a complete recovery followed by a return to the ring at the beginning of 2016.”
 
I am extremely frustrated and disappointed by the situation,” Beterbiev said.  “I was preparing myself hard to give another great show to the fans, November 28, but I will be back stronger in 2016.”.
 
The fighter will start his rehabilitation four days after his surgery, under the wing of physiotherapist Hugo Lettre, from Evolution Physio.
 
“We have absolute confidence in our medical staff, including the talented Dr. Baillargeon,” GYM president Yvon Michel added.  “This is the same doctor that saved the shoulder, which was in a really worst state, and the career of Jean Pascal, in January 2010. Seven months later, Jean defended his title belt, in spectacular fashion, against Chad Dawson.”

Karo Murat accepts challenge to face Artur Beterbiev IBF light heavyweight title eliminator

MONTREAL (October 9, 2015) -After the refusal of CubanYuniesky Gonzalez (IBF #11), Armenian light heavyweight Karo Murat (IBF #14, 27-2-1, 17 KOs) jumped at the opportunity to face Montreal adopted son Artur Beterbiev (IBF #2, 9-0, 9 KOs) for an IBF light heavyweight (175 pounds) elimination fight.
 
The promoters of the two fighters have until October 22 to sign a deal without it going to a purse bid.
 
The winner of this bout, which could logically take placeNovember 28 in Quebec City, will become the mandatory challenger for the IBF light heavyweight world title owned by Russian Sergey Kovalev.
 
Murat is the reigning IBF International light heavyweight champion. He won his last two fights after fighting hard for 12 rounds with legendary American Bernard Hopkins, Oct. 26, 2013 in Atlantic City, in a losing effort. He also has on his record wins over Gabriel Campillo and Tommy Karpency.

ERISLANDY LARA WINS UNANIMOUS DECISION AGAINST DELVIN RODRIGUEZ

 

ARTUR BETERBIEV SCORES SEVENTH ROUND

KNOCKOUT OVER ALEXANDER JOHNSON

 

Click HERE For Photos From Lucas Noonan/Premier Boxing Champions

 

CHICAGO (June 13, 2015) – Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on Spike returned to Chicago’s UIC Pavilion on Friday night with another installment of spectacular fights. The opening televised bout saw Artur Beterbiev (9-0, 9 KOs) manage a seventh round knockout against Alexander Johnson (16-3, 7 KOs). The second televised bout featured Erislandy Lara (21-2-2, 12 KOs) as he secured a unanimous decision victory over Delvin Rodriguez (28-8-4, 16 KOs).

 

Below are comments made by the televised fighters following their performances tonight:

 

ERISLANDY LARA

 

“Thanks to my whole team and to Delvin for being a great competitor. Thank you Al Haymon.

 

“This was a great performance tonight. I was able to land my left. Delvin was really just trying to survive in there, so I knew what I was doing was working.

 

“I was trying to bait him to come in, but it wasn’t working. So I had to get aggressive in there.

 

“It’s never a comfortable feeling leaving it up to the judges. I’d like to win every round and get the knockout if possible, but at least I got the win tonight.

 

“I’m going to sit down with my team and Al (Haymon). The future is clear. We want the best. We want Floyd Mayweather. We want Miguel Cotto. We want Gennady Golovkin at 160 lbs.”

 

DELVIN RODRIGUEZ

 

“It was very uncomfortable in there for me tonight. He was sharp and giving me lots of weird angles to work with.

 

“He was always looking to land his left. He caught me once to the body though and that took three or four rounds to shake off.

 

“I think PBC is great for the sport. They’re taking boxing to a whole new level. Some of the things they do are really going to catch on with the fans. Keeping the focus on the fighters is a big part of that.

 

“It’s hard to say what’s next right now. There are still some great fights for me. Just because I lost to a skilled, technical fighter like Lara doesn’t mean there aren’t great fights left for me.”

 

ARTUR BETERBIEV

 

“This is a big plus for me and great experience for my pro career. I’m very happy to have gone past four rounds tonight.

 

“Nothing was really working that well for me tonight though. I like to box smart and find the right openings. Maybe the righty to lefty switch in the last week made a difference.

 

“I’m very happy and proud to have been part of another PBC card and to have had a fight here in the United States. The last time I was in Chicago was back in 2007 in the same venue. So it felt great to be back.

 

“I’m a boxer, but I don’t like to call people out and insult them. I can’t predict the future, but I’ll work hard to make my winning streak even better than this one. I want the biggest belt that I can get. That’s my goal.”

 

ALEXANDER JOHNSON

 

“Short notice doesn’t matter because it’s part of the game to always be prepared. I have no excuses. He was the better man tonight.

 

“He got in one rabbit punch behind the ear that affected me more than some of the other shots, but overall he was just the better fighter tonight.

 

“I think PBC is great for the sport of boxing. I can’t take anything away from them and I’m just grateful for the opportunity to fight on their card tonight.

 

“I’m heading back to the gym and I’ll discuss what comes next with my family.”

 

# # #

The card was promoted by promoted by Warriors Boxing in association with Group Yvon Michel (GYM) and Star Boxing. For more information visitwww.premierboxingchampions.com, www.spike.com/shows/premier-boxing-champions, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @LaraBoxing, @DRodriguez1980, @WarriorsBoxProm and @SpikeTV and become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/PremierBoxing, www.Facebook.com/WarriorsBoxingPromoandwww.Facebook.com/Spike.

 

CUBAN BOXING SENSATION ERISLANDY LARA THROWS OUT FIRST PITCH AT CHICAGO WHITE SOX GAME BEFORE  HIS PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON SPIKE SHOWDOWN AGAINST  DELVIN RODRIGUEZ FRIDAY, JUNE 12 AT UIC PAVILION

  

Click HERE For Video Of Lara’s Pitch & Conversation With

White Sox Star Jose Abreu

 

Click HERE For Photos From Ron Vesely/Chicago White Sox and Team Lara

CHICAGO (June 11, 2015) – Super Welterweight World Champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara (20-2-2, 12 KOs) threw out the ceremonial first pitch at yesterday’s Chicago White Sox vs. Houston Astros game at U.S. Cellular Field.  Lara stepped on the mound and threw a perfect strike.

Erislandy Lara steps in the ring this Friday June 12, 2015 against Delvin Rodriguez (28-7-4, 16 KOs) as Premier Boxing Champions on Spike returns.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Warriors Boxing in association with Group Yvon Michel (GYM) and Star Boxing, are priced at $151, $101, $51, and $31, not including applicable service charges, and are on sale now. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or UIC Pavilion Box Office at (312) 413-5740. Tickets are also available at www.ticketmaster.com or by visiting the UIC Pavilion Box Office (Thursday or Friday9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.).

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.spike.com/shows/premier-boxing-champions, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @LaraBoxing, @DRodriguez1980, @WarriorsBoxProm, @yvonmichelgym, @starboxing and @SpikeTV and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxing, www.Facebook.com/WarriorsBoxingPromoand www.Facebook.com/Spike.

PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON SPIKE FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & PHOTOS

 

Click HERE For Photos From Lucas Noonan/Premier Boxing Champions

 

CHICAGO (June 10, 2015) – Premier Boxing Champions on Spike fight week kicked off in Chicago today with the final press conference before Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara (20-2-2, 12 KOs)takes on Delvin Rodriguez (28-7-4, 16 KOs) in the main event on Friday, June 12 at UIC Pavilion.

 

Action begins on Spike at 9 p.m. ET/PT with a light heavyweight clash between undefeated knockout artist Artur Beterbiev (8-0, 8 KOs) and Alexander Johnson (16-2, 7 KOs).

 

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Warriors Boxing in association with Group Yvon Michel (GYM) and Star Boxing, are priced at $151, $101, $51, and $31, not including applicable service charges, and are on sale now. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or UIC Pavilion Box Office at (312) 413-5740. Tickets are also available at www.ticketmaster.com or by visiting the UIC Pavilion Box Office (Thursday or Friday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.).

 

Here is what the press conference participants had to say Wednesday:

 

ERISLANDY LARA

 

“I want to thank the fans here in Chicago. This is a great opportunity to show my skills on national television on Spike.

“I’ve been eager to get back in the ring after my first title defense and Delvin Rodriguez is a worthy opponent.

“I’m going to be electrifying on fight night and the fans are going to see a spectacular performance from me.”

 

DELVIN RODRIGUEZ

 

“I’m very excited for this fight. We had a great training camp. We’ve been going for about three months, and I really think this is one of the best camps I’ve ever had.

 

“Everything has fallen into place this time around. As a fighter, you always feel like there may have been something missing. For this fight we had enough time to prepare.

 

“I’m taking this fight as if it’s my last opportunity. That’s how I’m going to fight this fight. That’s how I’ve programmed my mind for this fight, as if my back is against the wall. This is my last chance at a world title.

 

“I’m facing a great boxer. He’s a very technical fighter and he has great skills. And that helps motivate me even more. It made me work so much harder for this fight.

 

“I’ve been reading a lot about what the media is saying about this fight. I promise the fans that whatever I have to do, this is going to be an exciting fight. It has to be an exciting fight for Delvin Rodriguez because this is my last chance.”

 

ARTUR BETERBIEV

 

“I’m very glad to be here in Chicago for this fight. I’m ready for anything in the ring.

 

“If my opponent is going to call himself Alexander ‘The Great’ Johnson, then I’ll be ‘King Arthur’ and I’m here to win. Even though I make that joke I am here to win and that is the truth.

 

“We couldn’t do too much research on the new opponent, but we’ve looked through a couple of videos so we know the opponent is a southpaw and we’re ready for that.

 

“I don’t like to underestimate my opponents and I prepare for everybody the same. I’ll be ready to go against him.

 

“My last fight against Gabriel Campillo was against a southpaw, so it’s something I’m used to and I believe I have the knowledge so that it won’t be a problem.”

 

ALEXANDER JOHNSON

 

“I’m not a big talker. Friday we’ll see, but I think he (Beterbiev) is all hype.

 

“I’m willing to fight anybody any time anywhere. This is just another stepping-stone for my legacy.

 

“I was not aware of him before I took the fight, but I have fought big punchers before and my chin is strong. I will have no problem with his power.

 

“I come to win, no matter what day it is, what time it is, no matter what place it is; I always come to win. I’m always ready to fight. This is a boxer’s life.”

 

ARTUR SZPILKA

 

“I know that Manuel Quezada is a tougher fighter than the guy I fought last time in Chicago, but I’m so much better than I was then.

 

“My Polish fans always help me. When I fought Mike Mollo, and I went down, I heard them screaming my name; I know that I can’t disappoint them. I will always give them my best.

 

“Of course I want to knock Quezada out, and hopefully it will be seen on Spike.

 

“I want to be a bigger part of Premier Boxing Champions, but the most important thing I can do is what my trainer Ronnie Shields wants me to do in order to win.”

 

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