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Trio of Exciting Matches Highlight a Night of Live Action in Primetime on Premier Boxing Champions on FOX & FOX Deportes Saturday, April 28 from Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas

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Rugged Veteran Josesito Lopez Battles Unbeaten 147

Pound Contender Miguel Cruz in Welterweight Showdown

 

 

Former World Champion Anthony Dirrell Takes On El Paso’s Abraham Han in 168-pound Matchup

&

Unbeaten Jorge Lara Squares-Off Against Claudio Marrero

In a Featherweight Clash

 

 

Tickets on Sale Today at 10 a.m. MT!

 

 

EL PASO, TX (March 28, 2018) – Action will be the order of the evening as a trio of hotly-contested showdowns will highlight an exciting night Saturday, April 28 live in primetime on Premier Boxing Champions on FOX and FOX Deportes from the Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas.

 

 

 

Josesito Lopez, known as “The Riverside Rocky”, will battle rising contender Miguel Cruz in a 10-round welterweight showdown. Former super middleweight world champion Anthony Dirrell takes on El Paso’s Abraham Han in a 10-round 168-pound skirmish. The night also features unbeaten Mexican featherweight contenderJorge Lara clashing with Dominican brawler Claudio Marrero in the 10-round opening bout that kicks off coverage at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT.

 

 

 

Tickets for the show, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are on sale today, March 28 at 10 a.m. MT and can be purchased through Ticketmaster.

 

 

 

“This is an all-action show that has all of the elements that boxing fans have come to love,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “Miguel Cruz is a talented rising contender who will be taking a major step up against a hardened veteran in Josesito Lopez. Anthony Dirrell is a former world champion who is anxious to get back into the title picture and El Paso’s own Abraham Han has title aspirations of his own. And Jorge Lara and Claudio Marrero are two of the biggest punchers in the featherweight division. It promises to be a very entertaining show for boxing fans.”

 

 

 

Lopez (35-7, 19 KOs) is a battle-tested veteran who has been in the ring with some of the top boxers in the sport, including Marcos Maidana, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Jessie Vargas. The 33-year-old Lopez of Riverside, California scored one of the biggest wins of his career when he stopped Victor Ortiz by TKO in 2012. He has been on a two-fight win streak since losing to Andre Berto and in his last fight he defeated Saul Corral by a unanimous decision on April 9, 2017 live on FS1.

 

 

 

“Miguel Cruz has not faced a fighter on my level,” said Lopez. “I’m the most experienced fighter that Cruz will have fought. I’m confident in my abilities and the fact that I will come out with a victory. I’m ready to go straight through Miguel Cruz and prove I’m one of the best welterweights in the world.”

 

 

 

Cruz (17-0, 11 KOs) will be taking a major step forward in his career when he takes on Lopez. The 27-year-old Cruz of Lake Mary, Florida was a member of the Puerto Rican national team as an amateur and picked up four victories in 2017. In his last fight he battled adversity by overcoming two cuts to score a unanimous decision over David Grayton on Nov. 21 on FS1 and also defeated then unbeaten Alex Martin twice in 2017 in a pair of exciting contests on FS1.

 

 

 

“I am incredibly excited to have a fight of this magnitude because this is what I’ve always worked for,” said Cruz. “I’m so ready to test my skills against somebody like Josesito Lopez. I belong to a new era in boxing, and I’m going to shine for the world on April 28. This is going to be an amazing fight for the fans and I’m ready for everyone to enjoy my performance.”

 

 

 

Dirrell (31-1-1, 24 KOs), a former super middleweight world champion from Flint, Michigan, is coming off a technical decision victory over Denis Douglin in November on FS1. The 33-year-old Dirrell won the title with a unanimous decision over Sakio Bika in 2015 before dropping a majority decision in 2016 to Badou Jack. Since that loss, Dirrell has won four straight, including a TKO victory over current 168-pound world champion Caleb Truax in 2016.

 

 

 

“Abraham Han is a good fighter coming off of a tough draw with J’Leon Love, and a guy you can’t look past,” said Dirrell. “Caleb Truax proved that by beating James DeGale for the title, so I’m truly focused on this fight right now. He’s a tall, switch-hitter who comes straight forward, but that’s nothing I can’t handle because I’m always ready and in shape to stick to my game plan and execute. I’m always looking for the knockout, and if it comes, then it comes, and I’ll get him out of there.”

 

 

 

Han (26-3-1, 16 KOs) returns to fight in his hometown of El Paso for the ninth time, including a victory he picked up at Don Haskins Center in his fifth pro fight. The 33-year-old is looking to rebound from a technical draw against J’Leon Love last September, in a fight many thought Han was winning before the referee stopped the fight due to a cut caused by an accidental headbutt. He had won three fights in a row heading into that bout against Love.

 

 

 

“Anthony Dirrell probably sees me as someone that he can beat while he waits for a title shot, but I’m looking to mess up his plans,” said Han. “I felt like I won my last fight with J’Leon and would have easily beat him if it wasn’t stopped. This is another great opportunity to fight in my hometown of El Paso. I’ll focus on winning round-by-round and putting on a great show for my fans. I know everyone is going to come out and support me and help carry me to this victory.”

 

 

 

Lara (29-0-1, 21 KOs) has scored two victories, including a knockout against former champion Fernando Montiel, since he had a technical draw against Jesus Rojas in 2015. He knocked down Montiel four times on the way to the first round stoppage in their April 2016 showdown on FOX. The 27-year-old southpaw from Guadalajara, Mexico has shown heavy hands for a featherweight and is coming off a TKO victory over Mario Briones in his last fight on May 20 on FS1.

 

 

 

“I have been training with former champion Alejandro Gonzalez, and four weeks out from the fight, I am already in excellent condition and in tremendous fighting shape,” said Lara. “I know that this is a very important fight, and that Marrero is a very tough opponent, but I am going to be the winner because I am determined to continue on my road toward winning a world title. After that, we’ll see which champion will be ready to give me the opportunity.”

 

 

 

Marrero (22-2, 16 KOs) was riding an eight-fight win streak before losing by knockout to Jesus Rojas in his last fight. Inside of that eight-fight win streak the 29-year-old Dominican southpaw scored a sensational knockout victory over Carlos Zambrano to earn an interim featherweight title on FS1. The only other blemish on Marrero’s record was a unanimous decision loss to former world champion Jesus Cuellar in 2013.

 

 

 

“I’m excited to be fighting on April 28 on this great show in El Paso,” said Marrero. “I’m fighting an undefeated tough Mexican fighter, but this is the type of fight I wanted to put myself back into title contention. I’m really excited to get in there. Come fight night, you will see ‘The Matrix’ in full effect. Don’t miss it because it’s going to be a great fight.”

 

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Fans can live stream the fights on FOX Sports GO, available in English or Spanish through the FOX or FOX Deportes feeds. The fights are available on desktop at FOXSportsGO.com and through the app store, or connected devices including Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV, Xbox One and Roku. In addition, all programs are also available on FOX Sports on SiriusXM channel 83 on satellite radios and on the SiriusXM app.

 

 

 

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com,www.tgbpromotions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage andwww.foxdeportes.com. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @TGBPromotions, @FOXTV, @FOXDeportes and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions  and www.facebook.com/foxdeportes. Highlights available at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions. PBC on FOX & FOX Deportes is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

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Caleb Truax Training Camp Quotes & Photos

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Super Middleweight World Champion Rematches Former Champion James DeGale Saturday, April 7 Live on SHOWTIME from Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas

 

 

 

 

 

Click HERE for Training Camp Photos from John Doman

 

 

 

OSSEO, MN (March 27, 2018) – IBF Super Middleweight World Champion Caleb “Golden” Truax shocked the boxing world when he defeated then champion James DeGale last December in London to claim his world title. Now, Truax prepares for an equally difficult task as he is set to defend the title in a rematch against DeGale Saturday, April 7 live on SHOWTIME from Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

 

 

 

The Premier Boxing Champions event is headlined by Erislandy Lara, the longest reigning world champion at 154-pounds, clashing with undefeated champion Jarrett Hurd in a highly anticipated 154-pound world title unification bout. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and features Julian Williams and Nathaniel Gallimore meeting in a 154-pound world title eliminator.

 

 

 

The Osseo, Minnesota-native was a significant underdog when he went on the road to the U.K. to challenge DeGale in his return from a shoulder injury. Truax was able to overcome his perceived disadvantages by seemingly catching DeGale off-guard and under prepared, something that he believes could happen again on April 7.

 

 

 

“I think DeGale overlooked me last time and I think he’s doing it again this time,” said Truax. “I see him already talking about fighting David Benavidez and George Groves. Did he not learn his lesson the first time?

 

 

 

 

“I think his injury talk is an excuse as well. He said his arm and shoulder felt fine heading into and immediately after the fight last December. I don’t believe any of that injury talk. It means nothing to me.”

 

 

 

Truax put his small hometown in Minnesota on the boxing map with his championship-winning victory, but hasn’t let any newfound recognition change his routine or demeanor.

 

 

 

 

“The reaction here in Minnesota has been fantastic ever since I returned from London,” said Truax. “Everybody at home has shown me so much love. I’ve definitely been busier than I used to be, and I suppose that comes with the territory, but I still stay pretty low-key. I have my routine and I love just being with my two-year-old daughter and the rest of my family and friends. Overall I’ve just tried to stay true to who I am and live the same lifestyle.”

 

 

 

 

A graduate of the University of Minnesota with a degree in Sociology, Truax is currently carrying the mantle for the Minnesota boxing scene and hopes that his victory can inspire it to grow. Truax is just the third Minnesota-born fighter to win a world title.

 

 

 

 

“Me capturing this world title has been huge for our boxing community here,” said Truax. “I was the first guy since Will Grigsby in the 2000s to do it. There haven’t been many champions from here and people are excited to have another homegrown champion again. Hopefully this will get more people around here into gyms and the sport of boxing.”

 

 

 

 

 

Truax is now deep into training to prove that he has staying power as a champion by defeating DeGale for a second time.

 

 

 

 

“The great thing about the last fight is that I came out of it with no injuries,” said Truax. “I was back in the gym before Christmas. Normally I only have about six weeks to prepare for an opponent. But this time around, we knew who we were coming back for and had a long time to prepare.

 

 

 

 

“We’re working on adjustments that we expect he’s making and things he’s probably doing to get better. We’ll see what he comes up with on fight night but it’ll be up to me to counter.”

 

 

 

 

With more time in training camp to prepare, the champion will look to improve on his impressive first performance and make another statement to the boxing world.

 

 

 

 

“I plan on applying pressure and seeing how he reacts,” said Truax. “If he doesn’t’ adjust, then I don’t see it going any different than the first fight. I’m real confident I’m going to stop James DeGale this time.”

 

 

 

 

Tickets for the show, which is promoted by TGB Promotions and Mayweather Promotions, are on sale now and available by visiting AXS.com or the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas Box Office.

 

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For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports,www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @TGBPromotions, @MayweatherPromo, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing and www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions. PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

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Undefeated Super Middleweight Ronald Ellis Takes On Taneal Goyco This Friday Night At The Fillmore In Philadelphia 

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Nutley, NJ (March 28, 2018)–Undefeated super middleweight contender Ronald Ellis returns to action for the 1st time since his controversial draw with Junior Younan when he takes on upset specialist Taneal Goyco this Friday night at The Fillmore in Philadelphia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ellis of Lynn, Massachusetts and now is training out of Los Angeles, has been working hard since the February 2nd fight with Younan.  In that bout Ellis forced the action, and most ringside observers thought that Ellis should have squeaked out the decision.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday night, Ellis will look to notch his 15th victory against two draws.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Everything is good.  I got right back in the gym after the last fight.  When I watched the fight again, I could have done a little bit bit more, but he ran all night.  Hopefully Goyco will stand and fight on Friday night,” said Ellis.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ellis believes by the end of the year, that he will be right in the mix of the hot super middleweight division.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I still have a lot to prove, But I am a contender that is continuously climbing the rankings.  I just need that opponent who will bring the best out of me. My plan is to get another fight on television after this one.  I know Goyco is no pushover   I have been training for and treat him like all of my other opponents.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 28 year-old is looking forward to performing in front of the knowledgeable fight fans in Philadelphia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Philadelphia fans always knows when there is a good fight.  There have been a lot of good fighters from Philadelphia, and they are real fight fans there.  I am really excited to perform in front of them.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Ronald is close to a big fight.  I am looking to step him back up in the early part of the Summer.  I feel by the end of the year, he will be in a major fight in the super middleweight division.  I expect him to look great on Friday night, and we are excited to watch him perform on Friday night,” said GH3 Promotions CEO, Vito Mielnicki.

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ANTHONY JOSHUA vs. JOSEPH PARKER FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & PHOTOS FOR HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP UNIFICATION THIS SATURDAY LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

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“I win by knockout, 100 percent.” – IBF & WBA Champion Anthony Joshua

 

“I’m not here for a payday.  I’m here to take those belts back with me.” – WBO Champion Joseph Parker

 

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® At 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT From Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales

 

013_Anthony_Joshua_and_Joseph_Parker.jpg

Click HERE For Photos; Credit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

 

LONDON (March 27, 2018) – Undefeated heavyweight world champions Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker kicked off fight week with a tense faceoff at the sprawling Sky Headquarters outside London as they approach Saturday’s Heavyweight World Championship Unification live on SHOWTIME from Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. 

 

The British sensation Joshua (20-0, 20 KOs) owns the IBF and WBA titles, while New Zealand’s Parker (24-0, 18 KOs) is the reigning WBO Champion.  The two will meet on Saturday in just the 11th unification in heavyweight history in front of what is expected to be nearly 80,000 boxing fans at the national stadium of Wales.

 

The blockbuster matchup marks just the second heavyweight championship unification between undefeated world titleholders.  The last fighter to emerge victorious from a matchup of unbeaten heavyweight champions was Mike Tyson in 1987.

 

Here’s what the fighters had to say at Tuesday’s press conference. 

 

ANTHONY JOSHUA:

“I feel like this is what we have to do.  If champions don’t face off, then we won’t bring excitement to boxing, and I feel like we heavyweights are the flagbearers for the sport.

 

“I’m peaking, but what I need to do is remain where I am.  If you want to see my peak then I need to face stern challenges.  The better opponent, the better I get. 

 

“We embrace the challenge of facing an undefeated champion.  He’s a champion, he’s done well for himself.  He’s quick and he can take a punch.

 

“I have to mentally say the fight will go 12 rounds in my head, but if I had to pick I’d say nine rounds.  I win by knockout, 100 percent.”

 

“For a long time, I’ve had to rely on my strength and my physicality. Over the 10 years I’ve been boxing, I’ve built a lot of mental strength as well.  And now I’m combining the two.  I feel confident and I’m looking forward to the challenge.

 

“I take it one thousand percent one fight at a time. A lot of talk has been happening about AJ vs. Deontay (Wilder).  People need to be realistic.  I’m looking at Joseph Parker, who is a lively challenger.  He’s a champion for a reason.

 

“Let’s say we look into a crystal ball and I’m victorious, then we can start talking about future plans.  But, for now, my future startson Saturday.  That’s where I’ve got to look to and not really beyond that moment.

 

“There’s definitely a fear of losing because it keeps me going.  I have to make sure I stay focused on the task at hand.  The fear of losing keeps me motivated because I know how quickly the tables can turn.  One minute you’re the man and the next you’re not.

 

“I’m definitely preparing for a 12-round fight.  One hundred and ten percent.  It isn’t a problem to go the distance.  But let’s say I’ve got 20 quid in my pocket and I’m looking at Joseph Parker vs. Anthony Joshua. I believe Anthony Joshua will knock Joseph Parker out, myself.”

 

JOSHEPH PARKER:

“I feel ready, confident and sharp.  I feel better than ever, and I’m taking these belts back to New Zealand.

 

“I see Joshua as a great champion.  The reason why we wanted this fight is because we respect what he’s achieved in the boxing world.  We respect his team and what they’ve been able to achieve on this side of the world.  And we love challenges.  We see him as a big challenge and that’s the reason we want to fight him.

 

“I feel it’s my time.  I’m young, I’m fast, I’m strong.  And I’m determined to win.  I’m not here for a payday.  I’m here to take those belts back with me.  I’m here to be part of history.  I’m not doing it just for myself.  I’m doing it for my team, my family and my country.

 

“He’s at his best. I’m at my best.  This is the perfect time for the fight.  There are going to be no excuses.  Whoever wins is the best on the day.

 

“I’m going to beat Joshua. I haven’t decided how I want to beat him yet. I don’t know if it’s a knockout or if it’s points or decision. We’ll see how I feel on fight night. But I’m going to be undefeated going home with the belts.  These are mine.

 

“I’m in the best shape ever.  Whoever wins is the better man.  There’s no excuses on my side.  I’m feeling great, I’m feeling strong and I’m going to leave it all in the ring.  I’m punching hard, I’m punching with way more speed so I’m looking to put on a display.

 

“This is the perfect time because he’s undefeated.  He’s got belts that I want.  We’re both at the top of our game now and it’s a good time to see who the best is. 

 

“I’m confident I’m going to win.  I’m taking the belts home.”

 

ROBERT McCRACKEN, Joshua’s Trainer:

“Parker is a different opponent than Takam or Klitschko.  He’s undefeated, so he doesn’t believe he can lose. But being fast and being calm and relaxed doesn’t prepare you for getting into a ring with Anthony Joshua.  Not just the size of him, he’s very imposing in the ring, but he hits you and you don’t know where you’re getting hit.  I think we’ve seen that in all of his contests to date. 

 

“Anthony’s in great shape. He’s looking forward to the fight and he just sees it as another fight on the ladder to trying to become the undisputed champion. That’s the reason why the fight is taking place.

 

“Parker’s the WBO champion. He’s a good fighter. He’s unbeaten and he’s a challenge that AJ is up for.

 

“He ticks all the boxes. He can box. He can fight. He’s a devastating puncher, himself. And he can take a devastating shot, so he’s improving all the time. He’s learning all the time. He’s already the unified champion. He’s already an Olympic gold medalist. It’s part of the journey that he sees himself becoming the undisputed champion.”

 

KEVIN BARRY: Parker’s Trainer

“These are two guys that are young, two guys that are at the top of their game.  Usually, when you have two very skillful, undefeated fighters in the ring together it will come down to who can execute the game plan the best on the night.  I’ve said all along that I believed out of all the heavyweight champions, that Joseph Parker has the best skill.  I believe he can do more. I believe he has the fastest hands. On Saturday night, we’ll find out whether I’m dreaming or whether I’ve been right all along.

 

“I think we’ve had our best training camp, and I know trainers say that all the time but over the last two years, we’ve had a really rough time with Joseph’s elbows.  I think it’s shown in his performances.  We’ve had a couple of surgeries just prior to Christmas last year. This camp, 11 weeks in Las Vegas, have been the most enjoyable time that Joe and I have spent together in the five years that we’ve had.

 

“We decided right from the get-go that we were not going to let the occasion beat us.  One of the huge strengths of Joseph Parker has always been the way he controls his emotions. I’ve said on several occasions, whether it’s 800, 8,000 or 80,000, it will be the same Joseph Parker smiling all the way to the ring.  Joseph has wanted this challenge for so long, an opportunity to prove that he is the best heavyweight in the world.  Obviously, we believe that he beats Joshua or otherwise, we wouldn’t be here.”

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Busy Spring for GH3 Promotions fighters 

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Nutley, NJ (March 27, 2018)–Starting this Friday, GH3 Promotions will be active as eight of the Promotional outfit’s fighters will be in action over the next six weeks.
Friday night at the Fillmore in Philadelphia, undefeated super middleweight Ronald Ellis(14-0-2, 10 KOs) will take on upset specialist Taneal Goyco (9-10-1, 4 KOs) in a bout scheduled for six rounds.
On the same card, undefeated super welterweight Joey Alday, Jr (6-0, 6 KOs) will battle Michael Crain (1-1) in a four round bout.
On April 12th in Chicago, Kenneth Sims, Jr. (12-1, 4 KOs) will be making his 1st start since his lone defeat when he returns to action in a six-round junior welterweight bout.
On April 21st in Paramus, New Jersey, heavyweight Ronnie Hines will make his professional debut while lightweight Joel Flores, Jr. (0-0-1) will see action in four-round bouts
May 4th will see Alday come back to Philadelphia, and appearing on the same card will be undefeated super bantamweight Malik Jackson (2-0, 2 KOs)
Finally on May 11th, super bantamweight contender Adam Lopez (16-2-2, 8 KOs) will fight in an eight-round bout while undefeated lightweight Thomas Mattice (11-0, 9 KOs) will see action in a six-round bout.
“We are gearing to continue to move our fighters this Spring.  We are planning several big shows in the Summer where our more advanced fighters will continue to step up the competition.  That all begins this Friday in Philadelphia with Ronald Ellis, who is coming off the draw with Junior Younan in a bout we thought he deserved to get the decision.  I am excited to see Joey Alday make his first start under our promotional banner, and what better place to unveil a knockout artist then in front of the knowledgeable boxing fans in Philadelphia,” said GH3 Promotions CEO, Vito Mielnicki.
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Son/father Bob & Murray Goodman to be inducted into Class of 2018 New York State Boxing Hall of Fame

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Sunday, April 29, Induction Dinner
Kid Chocolate, James J. Corbett, Jack McAuliffe and Sam Taub head new class

(L-R) – Bob and Murray Goodman
NEW YORK (March 26, 2018) – Boxing lifers Bob Goodman and his father, the late Murray Goodman, are among 23 members of the Class of 2018 being inducted into the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame (NYSBHOF) on Sunday afternoon (12:30-5:30 p.m. ET), April 29.
The seventh annual NYSBHOF induction dinner will be held once again at Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York.
A legendary boxing publicist, Murray Goodman (Bronx) brought his son into the sweet science when Bob was only eight years old. The rest was historic for the Goodmans, who are both inductees in several Halls of Fame, including the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
“This is a great honor for me and my father,” Bob said. “I wish he were alive today to be there. I’m a boxing lifer. I was eight years old going to all the training camps with my father, who was a boxing writer and sports editor for the INS (Hearst News Service) service. The joke is I was conceived at Grossinger’s (Catskill Resort Hotel training camp). Boxing just came into my life. My dad and I had some businesses in promotions and public relations, all different kinds of sports-related businesses, but there was always boxing.
“I’m the luckiest guy in the world. I was brought up doing the very things I loved. How many people can say that? I met and became friends with Joe Louis, Marcel Cerdan, Sugar Ray Robinson, Rocky Graziano, Rocky Marciano and so many others. I’d stay in camps for weeks. I’d get up to run with the boxers and got a chance to be around my heroes. I also got to know trainers and others in boxing and later fans. I got to know everybody. I was brought up in boxing, my whole life was boxing, 65 years in the business.”
Bob is, perhaps, best known as Vice President and Matchmaker for Madison Square Garden (1985-1994), as well as a quarter-century serving as Vice President of Boxing Operations, Matchmaker and Director of Public Relations for Don King Productions. He also promoted many world champions as President of his own company, Garden State Boxing.
“I remember going away to training camps for weeks at a time,” the 78-year-old Goodman fondly remembered. “I’d take pictures, write stories every day and use my telecopier to send them to AP and UPI. I did so much being brought up un the business, even loading trucks up with chairs, the ring, speakers and more. My father was the Publicity Director for the International Boxing Club at Madison Square Garden. I worked there when I was a teenager.
“I’m honored to be inducted into the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame with my father and so many boxing guys. They’re different from people in any other sports. One of the awards I’ve won that I’m most proud of is the James J. Walker Memorial Award for Long and Meritorious Service to Boxing (BWAA in 1960).
“I’m fortunate to have transcended various eras in boxing. It was a different world back then, we had 20-30 writers stay for weeks at training camps. I got to know old-time boxers and trainers.”
        
Bob Goodman (L) checking Muhammad Ali’s weight and on right with Rocky Marciano
Goodman, who served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1958-62, stays active today working with veterans’ groups. He is President of the Weymouth Township Veteran’s Advisory Board, and also active with the American Legion and part of the Honor Guard with the Korean War Veterans Association.

Bob Goodman (far right) was inducted into the IBHOF in 2009, his father Murray in 1999
Among the world champions Bob has worked with are Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Joe Frazier, Larry Holmes, Ken Norton, Felix Trinidad, Roberto Duran, Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis, Bob Foster, Salvador Sanchez, Sugar Ray Leonard, Julio Cesar Chavez, Wilfredo Gonez, Ricardo Lopez, Bernard Hopkins and so many more.
Living boxers heading into the NYSBHOF include (Spring Valley) IBF Cruiserweight World Champion Al “Ice” Cole (35-16-3, 16 KOs), (Long Island) WBA light heavyweight Lou “Honey Boy” Del Valle (36-6-2, 22 KOs), (Central Islip) IBF Junior Welterweight World Champion Jake Rodriguez (28-8-2, 8 KOs), (Brooklyn) world lightweight title challenger Terrence Alli (52-15-2, 21 KOs), and (Buffalo) undefeated world-class heavyweight “Baby” Joe Mesi (36-0, 29 KOs).
Posthumous participants being inducted are NBA & NYSAC World Featherweight Champion (Manhattan) Kid “Cuban Bon Bon” Chocolate (136-10-6, 51 KOs), (New York City) 20thcentury heavyweight James J. “Gentleman Jim” Corbett (11-4-3, 5 KOs), (Williamsburg) World Lightweight Champion Jack “The Napoleon of The Prize Ring” McAuliffe, (Kingston) WBC Super Lightweight Champion Billy Costello (40-2, 23 KOs), (Beacon) NYSAC Light Heavyweight World Champion Melio Bettina (83-14-3, 36 KOs), (Brooklyn/Yonkers) world-class middleweight Ralph “Tiger” Jones (52-32-5, 13 KOs) and (Port Washington) heavyweight contender Charley “The Bayonne Bomber” Norkus (33-19, 19 KOs).
Living non-participants heading into the NYSBHOF are (Troy) Pulitzer Prize-winning sportswriter Dave Anderson, (Brooklyn) trainer/advisor Pete Brodsky, (Rockaway) boxing historian/editor Herb Goldman, (Ardsley) NYSAC chairperson/judge Melvina Lathan, and (Brooklyn) NYSAC Chairperson/matchmaker/promoter Ron Scott Stevens.
Posthumous non-participant inductees are (Brooklyn) ring announcer Johnnie Addie, (Brooklyn) matchmaker Johnny Bos, (Bronx) boxing writer/historian Bert Randolph Sugar and (Lower East Side) radio & television announcer/journalist Sam Taub.
Each attending inductee (or direct descendant of) will receive a custom-designed belt signifying his or her induction into the NYSBHOF.
The 2017 inductees were selected by the NYSBHOF nominating committee members: Bobby Cassidy, Jr., Randy Gordon, Henry Hascup, Don Majeski, Ron McNair, and Neil Terens.
All boxers needed to be inactive for at least three years to be eligible for NYSBHOF induction, and all inductees must have resided in New York State for a significant portion of their boxing careers or during the prime of their respective career.
 
NYSBHOF
 
CLASS of 2012: Carmen Basilio, Mike McCallum, Mike Tyson, Jake LaMotta, Riddick Bowe, Carlos Ortiz, Vito Antuofermo, Emile Griffith, “Sugar” Ray Robinson, Gene Tunney, Benny Leonard, Tony Canzoneri, Harold Lederman, Steve Acunto, Jimmy Glenn, Gil Clancy, Ray Arcel, Nat Fleischer, Bill Gallo and Arthur Mercante, Sr.
CLASS of 2013: Jack Dempsey, Johnny Dundee, Sandy Saddler, Maxie Rosenbloom, Joey Archer, Iran Barkley, Mark Breland, Bobby Cassidy, Doug Jones, Junior Jones, James “Buddy” McGirt, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, Bob Arum, Shelly Finkel, Tony Graziano, Larry Merchant, Teddy Brenner, Mike Jacobs, Tex Rickard and Don Dunphy.
 
CLASS OF 2014: Floyd Patterson, Tracy Harris Patterson, Billy Backus, Kevin Kelley, Juan LaPorte, Gerry Cooney, Mustafa Hamsho, Howard Davis, Jr., Lou Ambers, Jack Britton, Terry McGovern, Teddy Atlas, Lou DiBella, Steve Farhood, Gene Moore, Angelo Prospero, Whitey Bimstein, Cus D’Amato, William Muldoon and Tom O’Rourke.
CLASS OF 2015: Saoul Mamby, Joey Giamba, Johnny Persol, Harold Weston, Lonnie Bradley, Paul Berlenbach, Billy Graham, Frankie Genaro, Bob Miller, Tommy Ryan, Jimmy Slattery, Bob Duffy, Mike Katz, Tommy Gallagher, Bruce Silverglade, Charley Goldman, Jimmy Johnston, Cedric Kushner, Harry Markson, Damon Runyon and Al Weill.
CLASS OF 2016: Aaron Davis, Charles Murray, Vilomar Fernandez, Edwin Viruet, Hector “Macho” Camacho, Rocky Graziano, Rocky Kansas, Joe Lynch, Joe Miceli, Ed Brophy, Joe DeGuardia, Randy Gordon, Dennis Rappaport, Howie Albert, Freddie Brown, Howard Cosell, Ruby Goldstein and Jimmy Jacobs.
CLASS OF 2017: Gaspar Ortega, Renaldo “Mr.” Snipes, Doug Dewitt, “The Bronx Bomber” Alex Ramos, Dick Tiger, Jose Torres, “Nonpareil” Jack Dempsey, Don Majeski, Ron Katz, Stan Hoffman, Bobby Bartels, Hank Kaplan, Al Gavin, Arthur Donovan and Dan Parker.
Tickets are priced at $150.00 per adult and $70.00 for children (under 16),and include a complete brunch and cocktail hour upon entry, starting at 12:30 p.m. ET, as well as dinner (prime rib, fish or poultry) and open bar throughout the day. Tickets are available to purchase by contacting NYSBHOF/Ring 8 president Bob Duffy at 516.313.2304 ordepcomish@aol.com. Ads for the NYSBHOF program are available, ranging from $80.00 to $200.00, by contacting Duffy. Go on line at www.Ring8ny.com for additional information about the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame.
ABOUT RING 8: Formed in 1954 by an ex-prizefighter, Jack Grebelsky, Ring 8 became the eighth subsidiary of what was then known as the National Veteran Boxers Association – hence, RING 8 – and today the organization’s motto remains: Boxers Helping Boxers.
RING 8 is fully committed to supporting less fortunate people in the boxing community who may require assistance in terms of paying rent, medical expenses, or whatever justifiable need.
Go on line to www.Ring8ny.com for more information about RING 8, the largest group of its kind in the United States with more than 350 members. Annual membership dues is only $30.00 and each member is entitled to a buffet dinner at RING 8 monthly meetings, excluding July and August. All active boxers, amateur and professional, are entitled to a complimentary RING 8 yearly membership. Guests of Ring 8 members are welcome at a cost of only $7.00 per person.
boxing, Las Vegas

3 TIME WORLD CHAMPION JESSIE VARGASCONFIRMED FOR FOURTH EDITION OF BOX FAN EXPO TAKING PLACE ON CINCO DE MAYO WEEKEND, SATURDAY MAY 5, IN LAS VEGAS

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Box Fan Expo is the ultimate fan experience event that gives boxing fans the opportunity to meet-and-greet top fighters, current and former world champions, boxing celebrities and industry people in an up-close personal setting.
Tickets On-Sale Now at EventBrite
Las Vegas (March 26, 2018) – Three Time World Champion Jessie Vargas has confirmed that he will appear, have a booth and hold a Meet & Greet with his fans at the Las Vegas Convention Center for the 4th edition of Box Fan Expo that will take place
Saturday May 5, 2018 from 10am to 5pm, during Cinco De Mayo fight weekend.
Vargas will once again appear at this year’s Expo where he will be launching and introducing his new “Jessie Vargas Tequila Signature Bottle” products. Vargas will be signing gloves, photos and will also have merchandise for fans to enjoy. Boxing fans will also have a great opportunity to take pictures with this boxing star. Vargas will also be involved in a mega fight event versus Adrien Broner on April 21st at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The fight will be Live on Showtime Boxing, Presented by Premier Boxing Champions “PBC” and co-promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Dibella Entertainment.

Vargas is a Mexican American professional boxer who is a former two-weight world champion, having held the WBA (Regular) and IBO super lightweight titles in 2014 and the WBO welterweight title in 2016.
Vargas joins, David Benavidez, José Benavidez, Zab Judah, Shannon Briggs, Badou Jack, Kelly Pavlik, Erik Morales and Fernando Vargas among early commitments to this year’s Box Fan Expo.

Box Fan Expo has been a huge success with fans and boxing industry people. Many boxing stars have attended the last three Expos such as Floyd Mayweather, Mike Tyson, Roberto Duran, Tommy Hearns, Marco Antonio Barrera, Roy Jones Jr., Marcos Maidana, Sergio Martinez, Keith Thurman, Danny Garcia, Tim Bradley, Deontay Wilder, Amir Khan, Shawn Porter, Fernando Vargas, Zab Judah, James Toney, Vinny Pazienza, Mikey Garcia , Mia St.Johns, Leo Santa Cruz, Badou Jack, Terry Norris , Riddick Bowe , Earnie Shavers, Leon Spinks, Danny Jacobs, Abner Mares, Jorge Linares, Brandon Rios and many more…
Exhibitors such as boxing gear, apparel, new equipments, energy drinks, alcohol, supplement products, broadcasting media, sanctioning bodies and other companies who wish to participate will once again have a chance to showcase their brand to fans, media and the boxing industry.
Tickets to the Box Fan Expo are available online at:
https://boxfanexpo.eventbrite.com
Box Fan Expo is the ultimate boxing fan experience event, which allows fans to Meet and Greet Boxing Superstars of today, current and former world champions, Legends of the sport and other boxing Celebrities at their booth. On Site, fans will experience different activities from Autograph Sessions, Photo Sessions, FaceOff with your favorite boxers, as well as a chance to purchase merchandise and memorabilia from their booth, plus so much more… you won’t want to miss this must-attend Expo!
Box Fan Expo will also feature top boxing organizations, promoters, ring card girls, famous trainers and commentators as well as boxing gear companies “ALL UNDER ONE ROOF”.
Throughout the next several weeks leading up to the Event, there will be weekly updates on the many stars that will commit their appearance at the Boxing Expo. And for anyone in the Boxing industry or other Exhibitors (non-industry), who would like to be involved and reserve a Booth, contact Box Fan Expo:
Telephone number: (514) 572-7222 or Las Vegas Number (702) 997-1927
For any inquiries please email: boxfanexpo@gmail.com
More information on the Box Fan Expo is available at: http://www.boxfanexpo.com
You can follow Box Fan Expo on Twitter at: https://www.twitter.com/BoxFanExpo
boxing

Undefeated Number-One Ranked Middleweight Contender Demetrius Andrade Ready to Step in to Fight Gennady Golovkin on May 5th

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 Philadelphia, PA /White Plains, NY (March 26, 2018) — Undefeated, two-time world champion Demetrius Andrade (25-0, 16 KOs) is ready and available for a showdown with unified middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin, should Canelo Alvarez not be cleared by the Nevada State Athletic Commission on April 10th for his May 5th rematch with Golovkin.
Andrade, who is ranked number 1 by the WBO in the middleweight division, feels that if Alvarez is not cleared by the commission for his recent positive test for Clenbuterol, he would be the most obvious candidate to face Golovkin.
“I am ready, willing and able to step to the plate on May 5th to fight Golovkin,” stated Andrade.  “I am always in the gym, and I will start VADA testing right now.  I guarantee that I will pass all the tests. I know other fighters can’t say the same thing. I am undefeated, and a two-time world champion.  Golovkin went through a period where nobody wanted to fight him.  I am that guy now.  The man nobody wants to fight.  Everyone says what does Demetrius Andrade bring to the table? Besides being the best American middleweight, and one of the top 3 middleweights in the world, everyone knows who I am, and they know how good I am. My question is to those who say that I don’t bring anything to the table. What did Murray, Adama, Geale,  Monroe and Rosado bring to the table?  None of the top contenders want to fight me so I believe that if Canelo is unavailable for May 5th, I want the opportunity to face Golovkin for the unified middleweight championship of the world.”
Golovkin’s Promoter Tom Loeffler stated after Alvarez was temporarily suspended that his fighter will still compete on May 5th with or without Alvarez.
 “Whatever the commission does, Gennady would still fight May 5th if Canelo is out,” he said. “If for some reason it’s not against Canelo, we’ll figure out the best course of action at that time, but he is training to fight May 5th.”, Loeffler told Dan Rafael of ESPN.com
Like Golovkin, Andrade is also in the gym, and will be ready should he get the call for May 5th.
Andrade is promoted by Banner Promotions and Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing.
For regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please check Banner Promotions Facebook Page , and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @BannerBoxing
Twitter, Instagram: @StarBoxing
Facebook: facebook.com/starboxing
Youtube: youtube.com/starboxing
boxing, women's boxing

Rising Russian Star Elena Gradinar Wins IBF Inter-Continental Female Featherweight Championship with Unanimous Decision Over Former WBC World Champ Olivia Gerula

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Saturday night at the Sport Hall Energia in Narva, Estonia, rising and undefeated Russian female star Elena Gradinar picked up her first professional title, the IBF Inter-Continental Female Featherweight Championship, with a unanimous decision over Canadian former WBC world champion Olivia Gerula.
 
Gradinar (9-0, 2 KOs) dominated the more experienced Gerula over the 10-round distance, winning by scores of 99-91, 98-92 and 99-91.
 
“I am very happy with the win and my IBF belt,” said Gradinar, post-fight. “I want to fight Jennifer Han for the IBF world title. I want to do my part in lifting women’s boxing to the next level and fight the best.”
 
Her co-promoter, Dmitriy Salita (along with Alexander Nevsky Promotion Group), has made a firm commitment to women’s boxing by signing several current and upcoming female superstars including world champions Claressa Shields and Christina Hammer, as well as top prospects Franchon Crews Dezurn, Elena Savelyeva and Gradinar.
 
Salita says this is just the start of a terrific 2018 for Gradinar. “With the win Elena has cemented herself as one of the best female featherweights in the world. This is going to be a big year for Elena and women’s boxing.”
boxing

Gaballo Captures First World Championship with Unanimous Decision over Young in “Rumble at the Rock” at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood

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Reymart “GenSan Assassin” Gaballo of General Santos City, Philippines, captured his first version of a world title and introduced himself to the world stage with a unanimous decision victory over perennial top contender Stephon “Showstopper” Young of St. Louis.
 
Fighting in the main event of Kris Lawrence and The Heavyweight Factory’s “Rumble at the Rock” at Hard Rock Event Center at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, the hard-punching Gaballo (19-0, 16 KOs) became the WBA Interim World Bantamweight Champion with unanimous scores of 118-109, 117-110 and 117-110.
 
Young, now 17-1-3, 7 KOs, was down in round three and badly hurt, but to his credit, got up and kept it exciting and closer than the scores indicate throughout the remainder of the 12 rounds. 
 
The speed and reflexes of 19-year-old Honolulu-based welterweight prospect Logan “Korican Kid” Yoon (11-0, 10 KOs) overcame the determination and experience of former two-time world champion Juan Carlos Salgado (27-8-1, 16 KOs) of Mexico City over 10 workmanlike rounds.
 
Fighting for the NABO Super Lightweight Championship, Yoon showed surprising poise and maturity for a young fighter in his 11th fight and seemed unphased to be facing such an accomplished foe. His sharp counters landed with regularity on the tough former champion. To his credit, Salgado fought bravely, but at 33 years old, seems to have lost a step.
 
The scores were 100-89, 97-92 and 98-91, unanimously for Yoon.
 
Former WBA World Super Bantamweight Champion Juan Carlos Payano survived a real scare against “Magic” Mike Plania in their 10-round brawl for the NABO Super Bantamweight Championship.
 
After a strong first couple rounds, Plania, now 14-1, 7 KOs, had Payano down and badly hurt near the end of round three.
 
He never really threatened Payano again. A consummate professional, Payano (20-1, 9 KOs), of Miami via La Vega, Dominican Republic, came out for round four with the answers for neutralizing the harder punches of his Philippine opponent and never lost another round.
 
The scores were 96-93, 97-92 and 97-92, unanimously for the new champion Payano.
 
The 6-foot 9-inch heavyweight from Kissimmee, Florida, via Rudniy, Kazakhstan, Ivan Dychko (7-0, 6 KOs) scored a highlight-reel first-round, one-punch knockout over Miami Beach’s formerly undefeated Stephan Kirnon (2-1, 2 KOs).
 
Kirnon, admirably, came out aggressive against the giant, but quickly ran into a shot that propelled him violently into the floor. The fight was immediately waved off at :38. Dychko, a two-time Olympic Super Heavyweight Bronze medallist, could not have been more impressive.
 
In a 10-round battle for the NABA-USA Featherweight Championship Miami via Ekibastuz, Kazakhstan bomber Mussa “Warrior” Tursyngaliyev (8-0, 7 KOs) clubbed away at brave, but outgunned Luis “Barcelo” Hinojosa (31-14, 18 KOs) of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, until stopping him at the end of round three.
 
Tursyngaliyev is very strong and accurate, and he had things all his way throughout. He scored a knockdown in the second and finished it a round later. Hinojosa elected to stay on his stool, probably wisely.
 
Miami super welterweight JD “Pretty Boy” Martinez (9-0, 7 KOs)
managed to squeak out a questionable majority six-round decision over fellow Floridian Jose “Colombian Necktie” Cortes (3-2, 1 KO) of West Palm Beach.
 
Cortes chased Martinez around the ring, seemingly with the harder punches and a more aggressive demeanor, but it was not enough to please the judges. They scored it 57-57 draw against 58-56 and 58-56 for Martinez.
 
Popular Miami welterweight Harold Calderon (15-0, 9 KOs) took a round or two to settle in against Barranquilla, Colombia’s Ronald “Salvaje” Montes (18-8, 16 KOs), but, once he got his rhythm, it was all over.
 
The powerful undefeated southpaw lobbed enough accurate bombs to convince his Colombian foe to pack it in at the end of third round of their scheduled six. The official result is TKO 3 at 2:59. Calderon is ready for deeper water.
 
In an entertaining all-Florida super bantamweight bout, Miami’s popular Jessy “Beast Boy” Cruz (12-7-1, 5 KOs) and Palm Bay’s Sam Rodriquez (5-2, 3 KOs) slugged it out over six exciting rounds.
 
In the end, Rodriquez took a razor-thin unanimous decision (58-55, 57-56 and 57-56) on the strength of a fourth-round knockdown.
 
Fighting out of the southpaw stance, the heavily muscled Cruz got out to an early lead and rocked the smaller Rodriquez with his thudding left hand. But Rodriquez hung tough and clawed back into it by round three.
 
The pair went back and forth the entire fight and it could have gone either way.
 
Former WBO Asia Pacific Light Heavyweight Champion Steve “The Ambassador” Geffrard (17-2, 12 KOs) of Boca Raton stopped Budapest, Hungary’s Zoltan Sera (38-16-1, 20 KOs) in the fourth of a scheduled six.
 
For the first three rounds, Geffrard, who lost his first two fights and hasn’t lost since, shook off the rust and kept his composure against the awkward offerings of his European foe. He finally broke through in the fourth, scoring two knockdowns and prompting Referee Sam Burgos to wave it off at :39.
 
Miami’s Jorge De Jesus Romero (5-0, 4 KOs) put on a bodyshot clinic in his abbreviated six-round super bantamweight battle against Hungarian veteran Szilveszter Ajtai (12-10-1, 2 KOs).
 
In the first, Romero came forward like an aggressive buzzsaw against the circling Ajtai. In the second, he lowered the boom, scoring three consecutive bodyshot knockdowns, and necessitating a stoppage at 2:01. Impressive showing for the Florida prospect.
 
The son of a legend, Robert Duran Jr. of Fort Lauderdale made his impressive professional welterweight debut by stopping Orlando’s also debuting Miguel Morales in the fourth round.
 
Morales was no pushover, but Duran, looking like he already has some seasoning, put educated combinations together and waited for his opening. It came in the final stanza, as he scored his first knockdown of Morales with a right to the body left uppercut combo, and then finished things off with a thudding right hand that produced a second knockdown.
 
Referee James Warring waved it off without a count at 2:21.