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Road to Heavyweight championship continues this Friday for Travis Kauffman

READING, PA (September 5, 2016)–Travis Kauffman believes he is very close to realizing his goal to fight for the heavyweight championship of the world.
In order for that to be realized, he must not stumble this Friday night when he takes on Josh Gormley as part of the undercard of a championship doubleheader at the Santander Arena in Kaufman’s hometown of Reading, Penn.
The card, which has been dubbed the biggest fight card in Reading, will be televised live on Spike TV, will be headlined by Daniel Jacobs defending the WBA Middleweight championship in a rematch against former junior middleweight titlist Sergio Mora.  In the televised co-feature, undefeated lightweights Robert Easter Jr. and Richard Commey vie for the vacant IBF Lightweight title.
Kauffman (30-1, 22 KO’s), who has been training in Reading for this fight.  knows he can’t slip up against the hard punching Gormley.
“Training has been good and we have been working hard,” said Kauffman.
 “Despite what people may think, there is no added pressure fighting at home.  It is just another day at the office.  When I am in the ring, I just block the crowd out and I am just trying to look good.”
In Gormley, he taking on an opponent has a record of 22-5 with 21 knockouts and Kauffman is not taken him lightly.
“Gormley is a big guy and a big puncher.  Any guy who is over 200 pounds, you have to take seriously and I do not underestimate anybody.”
Kauffman feels that a good performance should put him on the short-list for a world title shot in the next year.
“We are hoping in the beginning of 2017 that we can get a title shot.  The ultimate goal is to be champion of the world.  I know a lot of fighters think its about the money, but in order to make that money, you have to be champion.”
Kauffman may have already received that coveted title shot had he been awarded the decision in his December 12, 2015 bout with Chris Arreola.
In that bout, Kauffman dropped Arreola and most people who watched the fight ringside and on television believed Kauffman should have been given the decision.  But Arreola got the majority nod, but later tested positive in a post fight drug test and the bout was ruled a no-contest.  Arreola subsequently got a July 16th title shot, but was stopped by WBC champion Deontay Wilder.
“I can’t dwell on that fight.  It is behind me.  Chris is a friend, but he didn’t take advantage of the opportunity.  That was yesterday and I am only looking forward to my future.”
The selection Gormley has it’s purpose as he stands 6’5″ and Kauffman sees this as a rehearsal for bigger fights down the line.
“This is a stay busy fight, but he is dangerous.  He is a tall guy and when you look at all the champions, Wilder, Joshua, Fury, they are all very tall men.  If I can’t get one of them next, I want someone in the top-ten.  I want to fight the best.  Everyone is avoiding Luis Ortiz, I would love to fight him.  Anthony Joshua, Artur Szpilka. I need fights like that because it will prove to everyone that I belong at the top of the division,but first things first.  I have to be cautious of Gormley’s power.”
Kauffman, who has very good boxing skills, has a different mindset for his future fights.
“I learned in that fight, that I can’t leave anything to the judges.  The way my trainer Naazim Richardson trains his fighters, they really make them believe in themselves.  Friday night, I am not looking past Gormley, I am looking through him, and I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for me.”
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions,                       start at $20 and are on sale now via Ticketmaster.

Darwin Price works behind his jab to set up seventh-round TKO of Javontae Starks in Premier Boxing Champions on NBCSN Main Event

NOTE: This piece is posted on the Premier Boxing Champions website and was written by Sean DeFrank. For more PBC news, go to www.premierboxingchampions.com

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Photo Credit: Premier Boxing Champions

CLICK HERE FOR FIGHT HIGHLIGHTS
San Antonio (Sept. 3) – Darwin Price stayed true to his jab against Javontae Starks, and in return it stayed true to him.
Working consistently behind his piston-like left hand Saturday night, Price was able to follow up with power shots as he earned a seventh-round TKO in a 142-pound main event at Cowboys Dancehall in San Antonio.
Darwin Price (11-0, 6 KOs) frustrated Javontae Starks (13-2, 7 KOs) throughout the scheduled eight-round bout with his jab, which he doubled to set up combinations.
After a measured first two rounds in which both boxers threw almost nothing but jabs, Price loaded up a right hand behind a pair of jabs to knock Starks to the canvas in Round 3.
“I had to pick up the tempo, so I kept the jab going. I had to be smart,” Price said. “He’s a technical fighter, so I had to keep it tactical in the ring, so I kept using the jab, keeping him at bay, feigning and moving my feet because my speed was a lot faster than his.”
In the seventh, Price landed another crisp double jab followed by a straight right that had Starks hurt and trying to hold on. Price began throwing wildly with both hands in an attempt to finish off Starks, who was pinned against the ropes.
Price, 27, then connected on a straight right that stunned Starks and began to dial in with both hands as referee Mark Calo-Oy briefly separated the fighters before stepping right back in to stop the fight at 1:52 of the round.
“I kept on bringing the double jab with the right hand because he was open with the right hand, I just didn’t throw it in the beginning that much,” Price said. “But it brought that knockdown and it brought that knockout, so I’m thankful for that.”
Price, who was a star distance runner at Grambling State University for four years before starting his pro boxing career, had won his last two fights by eight-round unanimous decision.
It was the second straight defeat for Starks, who was fighting for the first time in more than 300 days since losing an eight-round decision to Samuel Figueroa last year in Orlando, Florida.
Despite fighting at the lowest weight of his pro career, the 27-year-old Minneapolis native made no excuses after the loss.
“He had a pretty good stiff, quick jab and it took me a second to come in and get heated up,” Starks said. “I’ve been off since last October; he just pretty much fought a couple of months ago, but he came in and did his job. He did what he was supposed to do, stuck to his game plan, and he made it difficult for me to get through the jab.”
In undercard action, Kent Cruz (11-0, 6 KOs) earned an eight-round unanimous decision over Rickey Edwards (11-1, 3 KOs) in a clash of unbeaten 140-pound prospects. Cruz floored Edwards in Round 2 with an overhand right to take early command of the bout.
David Perez (8-0, 4 KOs) delivered a lights-out right hand to gain a sixth-round KO of Gustavo Molina (12-13, 5 KOs) in a 122-pound bout. Perez put Molina down in Round 3 before finishing him off in the final round of the fight.
Dominican 2012 Olympian Junior Castillo (11-1, 9 KOs) gained a six-round unanimous decision over Josue Obando (12-11-1, 10 KOs) in a 162-pound bout.
Justin Pauldo (8-1, 4 KOs) defeated Eric Anton (4-4, 1 KO) by six-round unanimous decision in a 135-pound bout.

Introducing The International Championship Boxing League (ICBL)

A Revolutionary Professional Boxing League Driven by Fan Influence and Open to Fighters Around the World
 
Virginia Beach, Virginia (September 2, 2016) – The International Championship Boxing League (ICBL) is set to commence operations this month.
 
The ICBL is the world’s first competitive league for boxing. In this unique multi-weight-class league structure, boxers from around the world must “fight to win” in order to earn the league title.
 
Created to revolutionize the sport for fans and athletes, the ICBL will bring boxers from around the world to compete, gladiatorial style, in a relentless season of competition where fans influence the action. ICBL fans will be intensely involved, via the soon to be unveiled ICBL parallel judging platform.
 
“This has never been done before in boxing,” said ICBL Founder and CEO Jack Perone Fulton. “This is the new way the world will come to know the names of the greatest boxers alive, and anyone who thinks they can be one has a fighting chance.”
 
Over the next six months, fighters from select weight classes will be selected for the ICBL, based on criteria including career record, impressive performance in an ICBL Open Event, and fan demand.  “Fans have a voice at the ICBL and the league’s structure gives promoters and managers an alternative for their athletes,” continued Fulton.
 
Additionally, fighters with accomplished records can be awarded a “Franchise Tag” by simply logging on to www.icbleague.com and applying.  Upon approval, the Franchise Tag allows a fighter to opt in, or opt out of the League at the beginning of each season depending on what immediate opportunities lie ahead for them.  Franchise tags will be awarded to fighters based on their overall body of work.
 
Each ICBL season will feature four pre-determined weight classes, featuring eight international boxers, per class, in a single-elimination tournament format. The winner of each weight class will receive the League title for that class and the season ending points standing determines the pound for pound championship.
 
“Without question, a uniformed professional boxing league is what fighters and fans have wanted for years,” said Fulton.
 
2016 ICBL Open Bouts will be broadcast on PPV, CBS Sports Network, and foreign broadcast networks. Event highlights, fighter interviews and other behind-the-scenes content will be posted online at www.icbleague.com
 
About the International Championship Boxing League
 
The ICBL is the brainchild of Veteran Promoter Jack Fulton who developed the innovative “multi-weight-class parallel fan judging league platform.” The ICBL team includes former President of the MVPGROUP Del Wilber and former Martin Agency Executive Director Bruce Kelly. The ICBL is a privately held company.
 

Undefeated Rickey Edwards Takes On Fellow Unbeaten Kent Cruz In Premier Boxing Champions on NBCSN Action Saturday, September 3 From The Dancehall in San Antonio  8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT

 
Plus! Unbeaten Prospect David Perez Battles Mexico’s Gustavo Molina & Super Welterweight Contender Junior Castillo Featured
In Undercard Action
 
SAN ANTONIO (September 2, 2016) – Undefeated Rickey Edwards (11-0, 3 KOs) is set to take on unbeaten Kent Cruz (10-0, 6 KOs) in an eight-round super lightweight contest as part of Premier Boxing Champions on NBCSN this Saturday, September 3 from the Dancehall in San Antonio.
Edwards was originally scheduled to face unbeaten Cuban Yordan Frometa, who was forced to withdraw due to an injury.Televised coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and is headlined by super lightweight prospects Darwin Price and Javontae Starks in an eight-round bout.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Leija Battah Promotions and TGB Promotions, are priced at $20, $85 and $100 and $1,000 and $850 for tables, before taxes and fees and are on sale now. To purchase tickets, call (210) 988-8821visit https://lbtickets.ticketleap.com/sept32016/ or in person at Champion Fit Gym at 6824 San Pedro Ave.
Additional action features undefeated prospect David Perez (7-0, 3 KOs) entering the ring for six-rounds of super bantamweight action against Gustavo Molina (23-12, 9 KOs), super welterweight contender Junior Castillo (10-1, 9 KOs) of the Dominican Republic in a six-round bout against Mexico’s Josue Ovando (12-10-1, 10 KOs) and Orlando’s Justin Paulido (7-1, 4 KOs) in a six-round lightweight fight against Eric Anton (4-3, 1 KO) of Plano, Texas.
Rounding out the night of action is the pro debut of San Antonio’s Selina Barrios in a four-round super lightweight showdown against Amanda Garza (1-0), San Angelo’s Brandon Soto taking on Waco’s Tanner Dodd (0-2) in a four-round super featherweight battle and San Antonio’s Xavier Wilson (1-0) against fellow San Antonio-native Frank Brown in a four-round lightweight fight.
A former New Jersey Golden Gloves champion from Paterson, Edwards fights out of Houston and is unbeaten since turning pro in 2013. The 26-year-old was busy in 2015 as he racked up five victories including a knockout over Marco Antonio Solis. Edwards has defeated previously unbeaten boxers John Delperdang and Azriel Paez in his last two fights. He takes on the unbeaten 23-year-old Cruz. A pro since 2013, Cruz picked up a victory over Jerome Rodriguez in April of this year.
A 20-year-old rising prospect fighting out of Houston, Perez turned pro in April of last year with a first round stoppage of Deseante Armstrong. Perez would pick up four more victories in 2015 and has already won three times in 2016. His last outing saw him defeat previously once-beaten Adan Ortiz in his first six round bout and he will now take on the 27-year-old Molina out of Tlaxcala, Mexico.
A 2012 Olympian for his native Dominican Republic, Castillo recorded a significant victory in April when he defeated previously unbeaten and highly regarded Kyrone Davis over eight rounds in April before dropping a decision to Justin DeLoach in June. Castillo turned pro in 2013 and made his U.S. debut in December 2015 with victories over Eduardo Flores and Roland Nagy before his triumph in April. Now he will battle the 26-year-old Ovando fighting out of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.
For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.comTGBPromotions.com and www.nbcsports.com/boxing,. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @LeijaBattahPR, @TGBPromotions, @CowboysDanceHal and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampionsandwww.facebook.com/NBCSports. Highlights available atwww.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions.PBC on NBCSN is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

Greg Cohen Promotions Inks South African Bantamweight Mzuvukile “Old Bones” Magwaca to a Promotional Contract

Greg Cohen Promotions proudly announces the signing of South African bantamweight Mzuvukile “Old Bones” Magwaca.
Magwaca (17-0-2, 10 KOs) from Duncan Village, East London, South Africa, is the current WBA International Bantamweight Champion and the former WBF Africa Junior Flyweight Champion and IBO Inter-Continental Flyweight Champion.
A seven-year professional, Magwaca trains at the “All Winners Boxing Club” in Mdanstane, East London, South Africa, with the guidance of Zolani “Last Born” Tete, a world rated bantamweight and former IBF World Super Flyweight Champion, as well as GCP stablemate and current IBO World Featherweight Champion Lusanda “Mexican” Komanisi.
“Since I was eight years old, when I first wore a pair of old gloves from my elder brother who was a professional boxer himself, I dreamed of becoming a world champion one day,” said Magwaca. “Now that dream is going to be a reality through Greg Cohen Promotions. The Young African Lion is about to pounce!”
“We are proud to sign undefeated WBA International Bantamweight Champion Mzuvukile Magwaca, our second fighter from the All Winners Boxing Club in East London, South Africa,” said Clifford Mass, GCP Vice President of Business Development. “He trains alongside two of the best fighters in South Africa, Lusanda Komanisi and Zolani Tete, and he is ready to take his career to the next level. We have big plans for Bones.”
Magwaca’s manager, Mlandeli Tengimfene, says his fighter just needed to find the right contacts to guide him to a world championship. “‘Old Bones’ will take America and the world by storm. He is a gem and a marvel to watch. He is also tall for his division and a maestro in the ring behind his educated jab. This boy is the future at bantamweight and with Greg Cohen Promotions behind him, the sky is the limit.”

SHOWTIME SPORTS® CONTINUES CELEBRATION OF 30 YEARS OF SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® IN SEPTEMBER WITH “BRITAIN’S BEST”

 

THE BRITISH INVASION

 

Relive Chris Eubank vs. Nigel Benn II Tonight At 10 p.m. ET/PT On SHOWTIME EXTREME®

 

Click On The Link Below To Watch, Share or Embed Eubank vs. Benn II: Round 12

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Click HERE For To Download For Web Video Player

 

NEW YORK (Sept. 1, 2016) – The most popular and prolific prizefighters in British Boxing history will be highlighted when SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING’s 30th anniversary year-long celebration continues in September with “Britain’s Best’’ on SHOWTIME EXTREME®.

 

The featured fighters –Naseem Hamed, Ricky Hatton, Joe Calzaghe, Carl Froch, Chris Eubank and Nigel Benn– were longtime world champions.  Each had a distinctive personality inside and outside the ring, and all helped usher in an era of boxers from Great Britain that currently features a record 14 world champions, including Carl Frampton, James DeGale, Lee Selby and Anthony Joshua.

 

Of the eight fighters, all but Eubank and Hatton reached dizzying heights by scoring significant victories against distinguished American fighters.  Benn blasted out Iran Barkley in 2:57.  In his premium network television debut, Hamed dominated Tom “Boom Boom” Johnson and, 10 months later, stoppedKevin Kelly.  Calzaghe destroyed Jeff “Left Hook” Lacy.  Froch rallied from the brink of defeat to stop Jermain Taylor, and Hatton crushed perennial 140-pound world champion Kostya Tszyu of Australia.

 

The rivalry between longtime WBO Middleweight and Super Middleweight champion, Eubank, and Benn, a longtime WBC Super Middleweight boss, may have been the most celebrated in U.K. history.  Eubank took their savage first fight on a ninth-round TKO; the rematch ended in a draw.

 

Hamed (2015) and Calzaghe (2014) are members of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

 

Below is the schedule of SHOWTIME EXTREME premieres for the month of September:

  • Thursday, Sept. 1: Chris Eubank-Nigel Benn II
  • Thursday, Sept. 8: Naseem Hamed-Tom “Boom Boom” Johnson
  • Thursday, Sept. 15: Ricky Hatton-Kostya Tszyu
  • Thursday, Sept. 22: Joe Calzaghe-Jeff Lacy
  • Thursday, Sept. 29: Carl Froch-Jermain Taylor

 

All fights will air on “Throwback Thursdays” on SHOWTIME EXTREME (10 p.m. ET/PT) throughout the month of September and will be available on SHOWTIME ON DEMAND®, SHOWTIME ANYTIME® and via the network’s online streaming service.

 

(Throwback Thursdays/ Fight Synopsis)

 

Eubank vs. Benn II – Oct. 9, 1993, Old Trafford Stadium, Manchester, Lancashire, England

 

Three years after Eubank rallied to stop defending champion Benn in an intense, fiercely contested battle for the WBO Middleweight Crown that marked the beginning of a great era for British middleweights and super middleweights, the rivals fought to a controversial 12-round draw in a 168-pound unification bout for Eubanks’ WBO and Benn’s WBC titles.

 

With more than 42,000 fans in attendance roaring their approval, the two legends went at it again from start to finish. There were lots of close rounds with frenzied flourishes at the end of each. The thrilling 12th round is considered a classic as both boxers were told they needed it to win. At the finish, one judge scoring it for Eubank, 115-113, one judge gave it to Benn by the identical score while the third judge had it 114-114.


Hamed vs. Johnson
– Feb. 8, 1997, New London Arena, London, England

The undefeated WBO Champion Hamed unified the featherweight division with an eighth-round TKO over respected longtime IBF titlist, Tom “Boom Boom” Johnson. Hamed dominated Johnson, who was making his 12th defense, from the third round on, scoring the bout’s lone knockdown with a huge uppercut in the eighth. Hamed was ahead by 69-63, 69-64 and 69-65 when it was stopped at2:27 of the round.

 

Four starts later, Hamed won his United States debut with a wild fourth-round knockout over Kelly, a former WBC Champion, at Madison Square Garden.

 

Hatton vs. Tszyu – June 4, 2005, M.E.N. Arena, Manchester, England
The largely unproven but hungry Hatton scored one of the most sizeable stunners in British  history and announced his entry to the upper echelons of the world boxing scene by recording  an 11th-round TKO over Tszyu for the unified IBF, Ring and lineal light-welterweight titles.

 

This is regarded as the signature performance in Hatton’s career; the stamina, aggression and heart he displayed is now legendary. A massive underdog against a dominant, feared champion and one of the world’s top pound-for-pound boxers, Hatton won when Tszyu failed to answer the bell for the 12th round. After 11, Hatton was ahead by 107-102, 106-103 and 105-104.

Calzaghe vs. Lacy – March 4, 2006, M.E.N. Arena, Manchester, England
In the most important and anticipated super middleweight match since Roy Jones defeated James Toney in 1994, Calzaghe produced a masterpiece and the performance of his career, thoroughly overwhelming the previously unbeaten IBF kingpin Lacy. It was a Brit Beatdown at its brutal best, a wipeout from the outset. Calzaghe cut Lacy over both eyes and caused blood to flow from Lacy’s nose midway through a fight that could have been stopped several times, and floored him in the 12th.

By impressively prevailing over Lacy, Calzaghe also earned the The RingChampionship, becoming the first super middleweight to be recognized as world champion by The Ring.

Froch vs. Taylor –  April 25, 2009, Foxwoods Resort Casino in Foxwoods, Conn.
Froch registered one of the most dramatic finishes to a world title fight sinceJulio Cesar Chavez, behind on points, stopped Meldrick Taylor two seconds from the end of the 12th round in 1990.

Froch, making his second U.S. start and initial defense of the WBC title, survived a third-round knockdown – the first of his career, amateur and pro – to finish Taylor with 14 seconds left.

 

Froch hurt and staggered Taylor with a cracking right hand just over a minute into the 12th. Desperate to get the knockout, he continued to belt Taylor all over the ring. With about 90 seconds left, Taylor went down from a barrage of head shots. He barely arose at nine with 0:29 remaining but had no defense for an ensuing barrage of damaging blows.

 

(The British Invasion/Boxer Capsules)

 

Chris Eubank (45-5-2, 23 KOs), of Brighton, England, was one of the top British super middles of all-time; he was responsible for helping British boxing ride a peak of popularity in the 1990s. After winning the WBO 160-pound title by stopping Benn and making three subsequent defenses , Eubank moved up to 168, captured the WBO crown and retained it 14 times (12-0-2) over a five-year-period. One of the draws came against WBC champion Benn in world title unification in their rematch in October 1993.

 

Nigel “Dark Destroyer” Benn (42-5-1, 35 KOs), of West Ham, England, went pro in January 1997 and won his first 22 fights by knockout. He took the WBO 160-pound belt with an eighth-round TKO over Doug DeWitt on April 29, 1990, in Atlantic City. In his first defense, he stunned the boxing world by scoring a devastating TKO 1 over former middleweight world champion Barkley on Aug. 18, 1990. In his next outing, Benn fought Eubank the first time. He captured the WBC 168-belt in October 1992 and made nine successful defenses.

 

Naseem Hamed (36-1, 31 KOs), of Sheffield, England, was a global superstar. He was known, loved, despised and acclaimed as one of the greatest British pound for pound boxers of all time. He was known for his marvelous movement and entertaining, albeit unconventional antics. He held multiple world championships at featherweight and made 16 consecutive featherweight world title defenses. He was considered the linear world champ at 126 pounds for five years (1995-2000) and was The Ring Magazine’s No. 1 Featherweight Fighter from 1997‑2000.

 

Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton (45-3, 32 KOs) of Manchester, England, is viewed by many as the No. 1 British 140-pounder of all time. He was the 2005 RingMagazine Fighter of the Year, the first British boxer to receive the award since its inception in 1928. He was also the 2005 ESPN and Boxing Writers Association of America Fighter of the Year. During his15-year career (1997-2012), he held various world titles at junior welterweight and one at welterweight. He reached the pinnacle of his profession in June 2005 when he upset Tszyu to seize the unified IBF, Ring and lineal 140-pound titles.

Joe Calzaghe (46-0, 32 KOs) is the longest-reigning super middleweight world champion in history, having held the WBO title for more than 10 years and making 21 successful defenses before relinquishing it to move up to light heavyweight. As his reins at 168 and 175 pounds overlapped, he retired with the longest continual time as world champion of any active fighter. Calzaghe annihilated IBF Super Middleweight Champion Jeff “Left Hook” Lacy to become world super middleweight champion on March 4, 2006. He held the WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, Ring magazine and lineal super middleweight titles, as well as The Ring light heavyweight title.
Carl “The Cobra” Froch (33-2, 24 KOs), of Nottingham, England, was a four-time super middleweight world champion who possessed an aggressive, style, toughness and granite chin. Froch won the WBC crown twice and was the WBA titleholder from 2013-2015 and the IBF champion from 2012-2015. In 2013, the BBC listed him as the best British pound-for-pound boxer.

 

One outing after Froch captured the WBC belt with a triumph over Jean Pascalin May  2008, he rattled the boxing world by producing one of the most remarkable comebacks in history. Rallying from an early knockdown and a four-point deficit on two of the scorecards entering the final round, Froch came on to batter former undisputed middleweight champion Jermain Taylor senseless and knock him out at 2:46 of the 12th on April 25, 2009. A few months later, Froch entered the Super Six World Boxing Classic on SHOWTIME, where he got the only two defeats of his career, losing decisions to Mikkel Kessler, and toAndre Ward in the finals.

 

# # #

 

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Daniel Jacobs, Sergio Mora, Robert Easter & Richard Commey Media Conference Call Transcript

For Immediate Release
Marc Abrams
Okay.  Welcome to the Daniel Jacobs/Sergio Mora conference call.  The rematch will take place Friday night, September 9th, at the Santander Arena in Reading, Pennsylvania, and live on Spike TV.  It’s a championship double header, a great show that will also feature the IBF lightweight championship of the world between undefeated Robert Easter and undefeated Richard Commey of Accra, Ghana.  The show is promoted by Kings Boxing.  And to make some opening statements, the President of Kings Boxing Mr. Marshall Kauffman.  Marshall?
Marshall Kauffman
Hello, everybody.  It’s a pleasure to be able to host such an exciting fight comeSeptember 9th.  I’m looking forward to fireworks between both these–with both of these bouts.  You have–with Richard Commey and Robert Easter, Jr., and of course, Daniel Jacobs and Sergio Mora, it’s going to be an exciting night.  I’m really looking forward to it.  And the [unintelligible] town of Reading as well is really excited about such a big event coming to our town.
Abrams  
Well,  we’ll start with Robert Easter–would like to make an opening comment.
Robert Easter
Yeah, I’ll all very excited to come to Reading, PA, and fight for the IBF world title.  Hopefully, Richard Commey will bring his A game to the table because I’m definitely bringing my A-plus game to the table.
Abrams
And, Richard, would you like to make an opening statement?
Richard Commey
Oh, yeah, I’m very excited to have this opportunity to fight for the IBF lightweight world title.  I’ve worked so hard to get this opportunity.  And I know Robert Easter, Jr., has also.  So, it’s going to be a great fight.
Q
Robert, basically, he hasn’t faced anyone with your height, reach, power, and speed.  Is that accurate?  Can you give an assessment of your thoughts on that?
Easter  
Yes, no, he hasn’t faced anyone like me and my agility, my power, my length, my reach.  He hasn’t faced a guy like me.  So, that’s where I come in and take over this fight.
Q
On the other hand, who would you say that you have faced that is either comparable or better than him in ways that you think he need–he would need to be able to compete against you?
Easter
It was–Mendez, he was a speedy, speedy guy, fast, and could move a lot.  But, what I’m hearing, Commey brings pressure I guess.  That’s probably the only thing Mendez didn’t have.  He came–he definitely came to fight, though, but he was a speedy guy, a slick guy, to move his hands.
Q
I guess the last question, is there anything that is different or unique about Richard that you haven’t seen in an actual fight?  I know you’ve been in sparring with guys like [Lamont Peterson] and Anthony Peterson, Adrian Broner, guys like that.  But, in an actual fight, is there anything about him that you respect to the level that you’re really going to have to be on your P’s and Q’s about?
Easter
Every opponent you step in the ring with you have to respect.  But, it’s nothing unique I see coming from him.  It’s nothing I haven’t seen or faced.  So, like I said, this should be a walk in the park for me, and I say that with confidence.
Q
Okay.  Richard, I wonder what tradition you know when you talk about Azumah Nelson   Have you talked to any of those guys or heard from any of those guys ?
Commey  
Yes.  And I’m going to use the advice Azumah gave me over the last few weeks here in Ghana.
Q
Richard, how does Robert stack up to  left hander went the distance with both those guys.  Have you seen anything like what you’re going to see out of Robert in terms of reach and–?
Commey
I’ve inspired a lot of people with a lot of heart.  I need this opportunity. His height really won’t matter. I’m coming there to win and that’s what I’m coming to do.
Q
The last question, what do you think you’ve–that he hasn’t fought anyone like?  What do you think is unique about you that he hasn’t seen before?
Commey
Well, I’m a tall guy.  And no matter what he does, I can win. I’m strong.  And I can take punches and I can punch as well.  I can do all that.  If he can’t–he will lose.  I respect the height and his reach and his skills as a boxer.
Q
I’ll start with you, Easter.  Welcome to the fight, and good luck to you.  You mentioned that you’re ready, and Commey has not fought anybody of your caliber.  But, if you look at both records, you guys are both undefeated with a nice double figure of knockouts.  And he’s already a champion is his country and all that.  Now, and you are an ex-Olympian.  Are you telling me, or as I understand, that you’re minimizing what he has, taking in consideration that he is undefeated, just like you, and somebody’s always got to go?  So, what do you–how do you assess that?
Easter
Seeing the few rounds I did watch is the skills, and I wouldn’t say they were that good, but he–like I said, he’s just very strong.  They say he’s strong.  But, you’re only strong to somebody you can hit.
When you got to–boxing out there, like me, I’m using my rank, my length, and  what I’m throwing [can be] hard as well, how you going to be able to get past that?  So, like I said, the skills are not much there.  But, I don’t like to get hit that much.  I won’t get hit that much.  So, I’m going to take all that away, and then whatever he’s bringing and adjust to have him adjust to me.  Once I get him in my game plan, the fight is going to go my way the whole few rounds it’s going to last.
Q
Do you feel that your Olympic experience is an advantage over him because, after all, when you get to the high heights of Olympic experience and international amateur fighting, you’re almost like a pro?  It’s almost like stepping into the living room when you turn pro.  So, that has–you have an edge on that?
Easter
I wouldn’t pretty much focus on the amateur side because the transition from the amateur to pro is way different.  You know patience.So, I’ll transition pretty quickly like Lamont Peterson, Anthony Peterson, Adrien Broner, guys like that..
Q
Are you hoping to–just to name two guys to follow the tradition of African champions, like Ike Quartey and the great Azumah Nelson, to bring another title back to Africa?  Is this what–not only to win, of course, but is–this is your direction, your crusade, when you were saying that, “Finally, I got a chance at a world title,” and your heart of hearts, this is what you want to do, to bring another title to Africa?
Commey  
Yes, that’s exactly what I want to do. Like you said, the likes of Ike Quartey, Azumah Nelson, to bring a championship back to my country.
Q
Knowing that this is for the vacant IBF world title, of course, what have you–without giving out trade secrets, what have you done in camp to–different or with a high acceleration to make sure that your hand is raised in victory over Easter?
Commey
Well, of course, I spar a lot of big guys like Joshua Clottey, and I have the kind of power to excel in the gym and on fight night. I want to follow the tradition of Ghanaian boxing. So, I’m coming there to make sure, once I get my game plan underway, then I’ll victorious.
Q
Do you run at all the risk of being a little overconfident against another opponent who is also undefeated and has traveled all over, fought a lot of different type of fighters in all different countries and certainly has no fear of coming here?  Are you a little overconfident in those remarks?
Easter
No, not at all.  Not at all.  I believe in my skill.  And I know what I’ll come and do, just like my last fight and fight before that and a few fights before that.  Once I got my game plan, when I come in the ring, I know how to make the fighter try to adjust to me.  Once I get a fighter try and adjust to me, then the fight is already won.
The skills, you can see the skills, mine and his.  He’s a straight coming-forth fighter, try to hard punch and all that.  But, when got boxing and you can punch as well and you can move, don’t matter.  It speaks for itself.
Q
So, how surprised were you that Barthelemy did give up the title and that you ended up getting this title shot?  Seems to me probably about maybe around a year or so or at least in the IBF 9 or 10 months sooner than maybe you had expected.
Easter
I knew after the Mendez fight I was going to have a big fight coming up.  So, either way, I was going to train like it was a championship fight, like I do always.  So, it is surprising that it came up this soon.
Q
Do you think, when you face him, you’re going to have to use your height and length and box him because you mentioned how aggressive he is, or is this going to be similar to Argenis Mendez, where you can drop that big shot at any moment and knock the guy out?
Easter  
Yeah, I’m going to and I will have to box.  That’s the plan for every opponent I fight.  I box and use my length.  So, as long as I do that and see a weakness–wherever I see a weakness, that’s when I go for it.
Q
I count six different countries that you’ve fought in between your home country, United States, throughout Europe.  Can you talk about what that experience has done in terms of giving you confidence to come again to the United States and take on an American fighter in a pretty significant fight for a world title?
Commey
Like you said, I’ve been fighting all over the world. I’m very comfortable fighting in the U.S. I don’t really think about where I’m going to fight, just do my best, and whatever happens, I take it because, as a boxer, I need to prepare.  I need to be ready to go wherever to fight.  I’m ready to go anywhere to fight to so wherever I go as a boxer.  So, I’m all good
Q
Richard, can you just give me your opinion about the kind of fighter and what you think about the style of Robert Easter, if you’ve seen him fight?
Commey
What I’ve seen of him, I know he’s a great boxer, a skilled boxer, and he tries to move a lot.  But, likewise, I can box.  I can come forward.  So, on the night of the fight, definitely, I know what I’m going to do.
Q
Did you have a preference of fighting Barthelemy, who was the reigning champion, or taking on another undefeated fighter for the vacant title, or did it not make a difference to you?
Commey  
Well, at the end of the day, that’s you want.  Once you got a chance to fight for it, whatever comes, it doesn’t really matter who you’re supposed to fight.   It’s the title I want.  So, for me, I don’t really feel much disappointed.  I’m there to fight for the title.  That’s what I want.  So, I’m not disappointed.   It’s all good as I’m really looking forward for the title.  And once I’m fighting for the title, I don’t mind.
Abrams
Okay.  We’re going to wrap up this part of the call.  I know we’ve got–Sergio is on the line.  And I think Daniel will be on the line in a second.  Just a quick final comment from both, we’ll start with Robert.
Easter
Just be ready September 9th.  I’ll come bring a lot of fireworks and a lot of action and another short bout, September 9th, and will be the IBF champion.
Commey
Come on the 9th of September.  I’m coming to put my life on the line.  And I’m going to be the world champion, IBF lightweight world champion.
Abrams
Thank you, guys.  We’ll see you in Reading September 9th.  And, Danielle, I think we’re ready now with the–I believe Sergio is on the line. I know Daniel going to be in, in a second.  I guess, while we wait for Daniel, Marshall, I don’t know if you want to introduce Sergio?
Kauffman
Sergio Mora, a very exciting fighter.  His last fight was fireworks.  And I’m looking forward to fireworks once again.  Danny Jacobs dropped him first, and Sergio came back and took advantage of Danny’s mistakes.  And then the third knockdown was something that’s still a question mark, whether it was from a knockdown or a twisted ankle.  So, there are question marks–there are questions that are left to be spoken for.  And I believe Sergio is in shape.  And we’ll see, come September 9th.  How about it, Sergio?
Sergio Mora
It was no knockdown.  I always–I’m the one getting punched, by the way.  So, I didn’t feel the punch, and it was definitely just me twisting my ankle.  It was Jacobs pushing me down as well.  Yeah, the referee kept warning Jacobs also that he was pushing me down with his elbow.  I normally go down low like that.  So, it’s not the first time it happened.  So, it’s a mix of a lot of things.  But, it wasn’t a punch to knock me down.  It was all my ankle.  And if was a punch, then why didn’t I stay down?  I was up at the count of two or three on one foot.  So, it definitely wasn’t a punch.
Abrams
And I believe the WBA middleweight champion Daniel Jacob on the line.  Daniel, you want opening statements and maybe a response to that?
Daniel Jacobs
Well, I came in briefly.  And from what I hear, he’s saying that that last shot wasn’t a punch that put him down.  I don’t know what my eyes were seeing, or I don’t know what my fists felt, but in my opinion, and I think, if you clearly go to the video, the replay, it was a punch that put him down.  It was the uppercut that started–which had him back–withdraw and back up.  And then it was the overhand right that put him down.  So–.
Mora
The overhand right grazed the back of my head.  Yeah, the overhand right grazed the back of my head, but my ankle was already twisted.  It was a tricky shot.
Jacobs
It could be a graze.  It could be whatever you want to say it could be, but it put you down.  Listen, let me give my opening statement, please.  I just got on the line.
Mora
But, it didn’t keep me down.  If I was hurt, –I wouldn’t have gotten up.
Jacobs
Okay.  Allow me to have my opening statement, Sergio, please.  I just got on the line, brother.  Show some respect.  I just got on the line.  So, my opening statement, ladies and gentlemen, it is the honor to be back into the ring.  I’ve been out for quite some time.  The reason we’ve actually been out for so long was because we were trying to get a better opportunity at fighting B.J. Saunders.  Obviously, that fight took a little longer than anticipated.  And this is the reason why this fight is happening.  It isn’t because I’ve been avoiding Sergio Mora.  I just understand that this fight for my career at this particular point isn’t really going to do anything for me.  It’s more going to do anything–more for Sergio than it would do for me.  But, me and him have the same management in Al Haymon.  So, I can understand why this fight is being made.
But, the reasons why he’s saying this fight is being made as far as me ducking him and not wanting to fight him, I mean, that’s absurd.  That’s absurd.  But, I’m just excited nevertheless to be back into the ring.  It’s a good time for me to be able to get back in there and have some fun again.  I look forward to a very good matchup again I hope.  But, one question that I do have for Sergio is, in previous interviews, he said that he was going to have a more exciting style and he was tired of being the born fighter he used to be that wasn’t appealing to fans, and he wasn’t going to do much running, this other stuff, stuff that he’s been getting criticized before, he wasn’t going to do that.  And now that he says he’s felt the power of myself, he says he’s going to completely switch the game plan.  So, my question is, what–why the sudden change?  I mean, what’s the difference now?  Why are you not going to be more exciting and more appealing now, like you said before?
Mora
I said I was going to be exciting and more aggressive.  I didn’t say I was going to be stupid.
Jacobs  
Oh, yeah, that is stupid to come and–that will be stupid to come and actually go toe to toe and bang with me.  You’re absolutely right.  So it’ll be interesting to see the game plan that you have for this coming fight because I just hope it’s not a stinker, man.  You’re getting a second opportunity at a world–at my world title shot.  Please let’s not make it a snoozer.  It’s bad enough we’re both receiving a lot of criticism for this fight, but dude, please let’s just make it exciting.
Mora
Hey, listen, I’m the king of criticism.  If you can’t take criticism, you don’t belong to be a champion.  You don’t belong in the top like that.  That’s part of being a world champion is taking all the bullshit from critics and media and everyone else.  And if you’re thin-skinned, then you’re not going to hang very much as the world champion.
Jacobs
Okay.  Yes, sir.  Ready for some questions.
Q
Sergio, after that first fight, you said that you felt that, because it was so early in the fight, it was going to be called-be a no contest.  Turns out it ultimately ended up being a loss on your record.  Do you feel like the fact that it’s been so–that the fight ended in that way, do you feel like an extra layer of motivation to try to win this second fight?
Mora
No, that blemish on my career is–it’s already there.  I tried to contest it with the New York Commission.  But, it got me nowhere.  The New York Commission is a mess as we’re all finding out when it comes to the fights and boxing and MMA and everything else.  So, I went that route.  It didn’t go anywhere.  So, I’m going to have that TKO on my record for the rest of my career and the rest of my life.  And it’s sad because I don’t want it to be on a technicality.  So, does it irk me?  Absolutely.  But, am I past it?  Yes.  I just want an opportunity to clear whatever happened.  Jacobs said that he dropped me twice.  I only fell once.  I dropped him once.  Round of the year, Sports Illustrated.  Second round, I feel I was in control and winning.  With 5 or 10 seconds left, the injury happens, and I bust my ankle.  So, there’s a lot of unanswered questions.  And for whatever reason this fight is happening again, I’m going to–I’m fully prepared for whatever comes.  And I just want to–I just want my opportunity.  And I’m thankful that I got it.
Q
Daniel, in that–in the first round, Sergio did knock you down.  You said after the fight ended that you were a little bit careless in that first round.  Are you taking a more conservative approach, or are you being a little more careful knowing that Sergio has the capabilities of knocking you down?
Jacobs
Listen, there’s always opportunities to learn and grow in the sport of boxing.  Even with a light-punching guy like Sergio Mora, I learned a valuable lesson that, after I knocked him down and I was going in for the kill, that you still have to be defensive minded, even when you have a guy hurt because I was on the verge of stopping this man.  There’s no way around that.  I was definitely on the verge of stopping him.  But, in my mind, I got a little careless.  And the way I had my feet spread, I mean, I just got caught with a real clean shot.  It’s nothing I can take away from him.  He definitely earned that.  But, it was a valuable lesson to me and a lesson that I’m sure I won’t make again.
Q
Sergio, how was the rehab in trying to get back and healthy?  Was there anything that, during that time, you looked at yourself as a fighter and wanted to improve upon for this rematch?
Mora
No, not as a fighter.  The only thing I had in mind was to heal up 100 percent.  I did everything in my power, in my capability to heal up properly.  I did all the–I got the best treatment.  I tried to go with the best physical therapist and with ice and do all the remedies, all the Mexican remedies that my mom would tell me to do.  And I tried to do everything possible to do it.  So, finally, I–after 6 to 7 months, I started–little by little started putting pressure on it.  And I started feeling good and taking it–taking Aleve.  And sometimes, I have to take cortisone shots in order for me to go harder and faster.  So, I just did everything in my ability, plus prayer.  And thank God I’m back.
Q
I don’t know who’s best fit to answer this question, but is there a rubber match clause in the event that Sergio pulls the upset?
Mora  
I’m the king of rematches.  So, I’ll answer that.  I’ve had four rematches.  This is going to be my fifth.  And I’ve never had a rubber match.  I probably deserved a rubber match with Brian Vera.  But, Texas is just too big and strong for me to beat.  So, rubber matches, I don’t know.  We’ll see.  I got to get the win first.
Q
Are you confident, Sergio, in your ability to plant on your ankle?
Mora
Absolutely.  Now, I am.  There were times within the year that I’ve been off that I questioned it.  And I’m 35 years old now.  So, everything heals up slower.  I can’t fool myself.  So, sometimes, I question it.  But, now, I’m not anymore.  I did everything.  I put all the pressure, sprinting uphill, sprinting downhill, stopping on a dime, pivoting, twisting.  And I feel an ache here and there.  But, as far as me doing, I’ve done it.  So, mentally, I’m there.  I’m ready.
Q
Daniel, do you feel this fight is a backwards step?
Jacobs  
I absolutely do.  I mean, I think it’s just–to me, this is kind of like a just-stay-busy fight because we weren’t able to get the fight that we actually wanted, for whatever reason.  But, to me, I don’t think this does anything for my career.  Like I said before, we’ve always wanted to move up to bigger and better opposition each time out.  This is kind of a step back.  And I understand that it left a bitter taste in certain people’s mouths because of the way Sergio Mora lost.  But, in my opinion, he was on the verge anyway.  So, that’s how I look at it.  But, this is for me an opportunity to kind of quiet the critics and just make the final statement once and for all that I am the better fighter, better boxer.
Hell, I’m better in general inside that square ring.  Sergio Mora has nothing in there to stop me, especially come September 9th.  I’m in the best shape that I’ve ever been in my life.  And he said before that I don’t like to go 12 rounds.  I mean, I’ve never said that.  I mean, just because I’ve knocked guys out doesn’t mean I don’t like to go 12 rounds.  With the Caleb Truax fight, I wanted to go 12 rounds, and I did, and then I stopped him in the 12th round.  So, it’s not like I’d just like to go out there and have this false identity like I’m this super big knockout artist.  I’m a superb boxer.  I learned the fundamentals from the amateur USA boxing.  I’ve gone internationally and performed on an international level.  I know how to box.  Sergio Mora is extremely awkward.  That’s what allowed him to get where he is now.  Take nothing away from him being a world champion.  Yeah, I have to give him credit for that.  But, as a–.
Mora
About time you give me some credit.  And guess what?  I–and hey, listen, man.  Sorry to interrupt you, but that’s the first time you’ve ever given me credit.
Jacobs
Oh, I’m sorry.  I thought I was answering the question.  Okay.  I’m going to let you go ahead.
Mora
That’s the first time you’ve ever given me credit, man.  Thank you very much.  Thank you, Danny.  Thank you.
Jacobs  
Oh, okay.  You’re very welcome.  But, as I was saying, yes, this is definitely a setback.
Q
It didn’t take long for you to get acquainted the first time around.  What are your mindsets?  Are you looking to pick up where you left off, or you taking a completely different approach this time around?
Mora
I’m still in shock that he gave me credit.  Look, the first time around, he downplayed and downgraded me as a former world champion.  And he said that he wanted to move onto bigger and better things.  I just want to touch on something.  I’m the best name on Daniel Jacobs–no, let me take that back.  I’m the most accomplished name on Daniel Jacobs’s record.
So, how is he down–how is he going backwards?  How is he regressing by fighting me?  I’m the best–I’m the most accomplished on his resume.  He’s not even top three on mine.  I’ve got hall of famers on my resume.  I had to beat a world champion, a five-time world champion to become champion.  He had to beat a guy Jarrod Fletcher Jacob–I don’t even know what the hell his name is, Fletcher Jones or whatever it is.  So, the bottom line is you’ve got to give me my credit, man.  So, thank you for giving me that credit.  Now, what was your question, again?  I’m sorry.
Q
Are you looking to pick up where you left off, or are you coming in with a totally different mindset?
Mora
Well, look, I know that I got dropped.  I’ve been dropped before.  I can get up, and I’m pretty resilient that way.  Jacobs took a little longer to get the cobwebs off.  So, he–now, he knows that I can punch.  I don’t think he’s going to come in as aggressive as he was the first time.  If he does, maybe we’ll leave off.  That’s going to be up to the champ.  The champ wants to start if off, I’m good.  If not, if I see him–fighting behind a jab, then I’m going to have to go and put the pressure on a little bit.
Q
And, Daniel?
Jacobs
So, I just–I totally feel like he’s just full of it right now.  I don’t think he’s going to come forward.  He’s even said it in the interview.  Now, he understands and he knows how much power I possess.  He’s going to change the game plan.  And he’s going to try to take me into what he quotes are deep waters.  So, he’s going to try to take me in later rounds, which in my opinion, he has to box, and he has to be on the back foot to do so.
So, in my opinion, I think he’s going to try to make it a snoozer.  He’s not going to try to make it exciting and come forward.  And it’s just my–it’s just up to me to make it an exciting.  And I’m going to do what I’ve always done.  I’m going to come forward, and I’m going to adjust if I need to make adjustments.  And that’s simple.  I want to hurt this man.  There’s no way around it.  I want him to feel and eat his words, clearly.  So, I’m going to come in there, and I’m going to try and punch you in your face.  It’s plain and simple, Sergio.  That’s my game approach.  But, if you want to box–.
Mora
That’s all good.  You try to reach my–.
Jacobs
If you want to go on the back foot–.
Mora
I’m going to be touching that body.
Jacobs
Hold on, sir.  Hold on, baby.  Hold on, baby.  I’ll let you answer your question.  Hold on now.  Be respectful.  If you wanted to be on the back foot, that’s the game that I can play, too.  I have an extreme amateur and professional boxing resume, brother.  Like, we can do this.  But, the game plan for me, to answer your question, is to go in there and hurt this man, period.
Q
Sergio, given the fact that Danny has said that this is a backwards step for him, he looks at it as a tune-up fight, didn’t really want to have the rematch, why–what do you think it was that actually got you this rematch and I know you wanted very badly?
Mora
Al Haymon, plain and simple, Al Haymon.  I think no one was campaigning for this rematch, Dan.  And I think a lot of people were surprised that it happened.  I certainly was surprised that I got the phone call because, even though I was promised by Al a big fight my first fight back, I didn’t expect it to be for world title versus Daniel Jacobs in a rematch.  So, I’m very, very thankful to Al Haymon.  And honestly, just to–I mean, not to be funny or anything, but if I really have to thank another person, another thing, it’s Twitter because it gives me a voice when I was injured.  And I never had that before.  I just wish I would’ve started it earlier and had more of a following.  So, yeah, I’ve got to thank Twitter, too.
Q
Do you think–I mean, you’ve had your ups and downs.  You fought a lot of good names.  But, you mentioned a little earlier 35 years old.  Do you think this maybe this could be your last chance at a world title?
Mora  
Yeah, probably.  I mean, I can’t be foolish and say that I can move–I can beat Bernard Hopkins.  I can’t.  I’m not Bernard Hopkins.  There’s only special people that could fight in their mid-30s and so on and still be fighting the best.  So, even though, if my body hasn’t taken a beating, I’ve been in the game a long time.  And the wear and tear from sparring and from running and from the dieting and from all the other stuff, all that takes effect.
But, even though I am well preserved, I’m still the age that I am.  And the hunger’s still there.  So, number one, if the hunger’s still there, everything else falls into place.  So, we’re going to find out in two weeks exactly if the hunger and my body is at the same level.
Q
Were you anxious to just go right back in with Danny in a second fight if you could get the fight, or did you consider a tune-up?
Mora
No, no.  Great question, Dan.  Me and my team did have that discussion.  And we did think about fighting someone else.  And I think Alfredo Angulo was a name they offered and were considering.  But, we know Angulo very well.  And we just didn’t feel right taking that fight, especially watching the fight–his last fight.  But, the ankle feels good.  And we decided to go straight into this title fight because we weren’t sure we were going to get it again.  I think the stars lined up perfectly for it to happen.  And Jacobs admits that, too, that he didn’t want to fight me for whatever reasons, and I got this fight thanks to Al Haymon.  And that’s it.
Q
What was it that made you decide that, ultimately, you would in fact give him the rematch, even though it’s clear that it’s not a fight that you want?
Jacobs
It’s just I understand how it left a bad taste in people’s mouths.  So, with the options that we were given, with talking to Al and talking with my team, I guess it just kind of made–not sense, but it just was the right thing to do at the very–at that moment.  And I won’t say we looked at it as, like, hey, this is an easy win or this is an opportunity to make easy money.
Like, we don’t look at it like that.  But, we kind of just–and we definitely wasn’t forced into the fight.  So, that’s another thing that I want to make clear.  Al Haymon didn’t say, “Hey, this is going to be what you’re going to do.”  So, me and my team came together.  And for whatever reasons, we allowed this fight to happen, but we definitely wasn’t forced into it.
Q
So, you mentioned you had some other options that were brought to your attention.  What were those other options?
Jacobs
They just wasn’t–like, it wasn’t guys in my opinion at that level that were bigger and better.  Like I said before, we looked at the whole scene of the middleweight division, and Andy Lee and a couple other guys that names were thrown out there. We were trying to make that fight happen with Lee.  I think that fight kind of fell through maybe once or twice.  So, we were just like, “Hey, let’s just go with Sergio Mora.”  The way we–the way it looked and the way we won kind of left a little bit bad taste in people’s mouths.  So, it just makes sense to do it.
Q
What is the big fight out there?  You are–as the WBA’s regular champion, you are the mandatory for Gennady Golovkin.  I want to know if that’s a fight that you’ll consider after this?
Jacobs
Absolutely.  That’s the fight that I want.  I want the best out there.  We tried to make the fight with B.J. Saunders.  We tried to make the fight with a couple other guys.  But, it just didn’t work.  Chris Eubank, Jr., was another opportunity for us to fight.  But, he didn’t want no part.  So, even after winning the–forgot what title he won because I know I was his mandatory at some point, and he declined.  And so, we want to fight the best, point blank, period.  Triple G is the best, and that’s the guy that we want.
Q
What kind of particular stylistic problems you think you’d give Golovkin that he hasn’t seen yet?
Jacobs
I definitely believe I would be the toughest test because I believe I would be the victor in that fight.  I definitely believe in my skills and my ability.  At one point in my career, the only reason why I said I wanted to wait was so I could get 12 rounds so we can go the full distance and know how we can actually feel in a tough fight for 12 rounds.  I’ve accomplished that.  And then the only thing that was kind of keeping me from making this fight happen earlier was the finance.  So, people saying I was ducking or I was doing a whole bunch of this and a whole bunch of that, that’s far from the truth.  I just wanted to be compensated accordingly.  And that was it.  If we can make these fights happen sooner than later, I’m all for it.  But, in the same token, I still would like to be compensated accordingly.
Q
Are you confident that you could get a deal done that would be good for the finances?
Jacobs
I don’t really know too much about that.  I mean, I have a great team.  And I leave all those things up to my team.  My thing is to stay ready, to be ready, and to perform at my best when I’m inside the ring.  So, whatever the logistics is outside the ring, all I have to do is say, “Yes, I’m comfortable with that.  And let’s make the fight.”
Q
Now, I know you’re a pretty even-keeled guy, but has Sergio got under your skin with all the trash talk?
Jacobs
Oh, hell yeah.  I mean, not under my skin to where it would affect my game plan or it’ll affect me inside the ring.  No, it’s just some of the things that he’s said or from the pictures that he’s posted, and that’s what he’s supposed to do.  And he’s landed an opportunity at fighting me again. But, this is an opportunity that I’m looking forward to.  And this is probably for me the first personal fight that I’m entering in with mean intention.
Q –
And a question for Sergio.  You’ve been around for a long time.  You’ve fought a lot of top guys, like Sugar Shane and so forth.  Where–how would you compare Danny to those guys?  And how do you think you’ll–a guy like you who has such a high boxing IQ, how do you think a rematch would help you?
Mora
Sugar Shane and so forth, and Vernon Forrest, two great fighters.  Look, Danny has his amateur pedigree.  And he can fight behind the jab, like he says.  And he could be–and he can fight on his back foot, as he claims.  He says he’s gone 12 tough rounds.  I only seen him go 12 one-sided rounds against a guy named Caleb Truax.  Those weren’t tough.  He doesn’t know what tough is yet.  And he isn’t really–he hasn’t experienced what it is to be in there with an all-around championship caliber fighter for 12 rounds.  I have.  That’s the difference.  That’s the difference.
And I feel that, until he experiences that, he still doesn’t know what it is to be an all-around champion, a champion that’s had to deal with getting knocked down, getting up, bad cuts, being down behind them cards, losing on cards going through the final championship round.  These are the experiences you can only dream of and hope of.  So, until you experience that, you can’t really say he’s done that.  Right now, he still needs to learn.
Q
Sergio, do you relish having the kind of opportunity to, as you said, teach somebody to be a fighter?
Mora
Absolutely.  I relish the opportunity to do great things, man.  And I think that, if you look back at my career, every time I get a big opportunity, I conquer it, or something like the Shane Mosley thing happens where, actually, I won, and it was a draw.  But, the big opportunities, I shine, man.  And this is just something that always needs to happen, always have to take the hard route.  That’s been my career, man.  I’ve never been the A side.  I’ve always been the B side that could compete with the A side.
And this is just another example of that.  Danny, the young champion looking down on me, subordinating me, making me feel like I’m lucky to get this opportunity, I’ve dealt with that my entire career, man.  It’s nothing new.  I know I’m here over and over, time after time for a reason because I’m that fucking good.  And so, people recognize and realize that.  I’ll never get the credit for it.  And that’s fine, as long as I keep getting the opportunities and as long as I become a three-time two-division champ.
Q
Tell us about that, how you approach the fight, what you expect to take place, especially in light of the last two fights ending quickly.
Jacobs
Well, I don’t really anticipate or expect anything.  Boxing is one of those things where anything can happen at any given moment.  My thing is I just want to be ready.  And when I prepare inside the gym and I’m in tip-top shape, I’m prepared and ready for anything that will come my way inside that ring, whether it’s the first round or whether it’s the last round.  It just so happens that these last couple of fights I’ve had been very exciting first rounders.  So, my thing is, as long as I’m able to adjust, I can come and be prepared for anything that comes my way.
Q
What was key in those two fights–to both of those fights starting off with so much activity and so much action?
Jacobs
I think just getting warmed up properly and the backstage, making sure that the flow was going and that you don’t have to kind of warm up in those first couple rounds.  Me and my team do a great job–and shout out to my team, by the way, who do such a great job with making sure that we’re prepared and ready for each round from the very first to the very end.
Q
And is that going to affect at all your game plan because people have seen those two previous fights, and they’re talking about it.  They say, “Maybe this is a guy who is just going to destroy people in the beginning.”  Is that weighing on your approach at all for this rematch?
Jacobs
Absolutely not.  My MO as a fighter is to be a fluent boxer first.  It just so happened that the speed and the power that I possess as well kind of hurt guys, and I’m a really great finisher, where actually, my mentality is to go in there and show my skills.  That’s what I love about the [sweet science].  I actually love to get behind my jab and put my combinations together and start to get good movements and good angles.  Like, I love that stuff.
But, it just so happens that, when I’m in there with guys and I’m starting to land good shots, and they get hurt, we just have rounds of the year and first round stoppages and early stoppages, so on and so forth.  So, I’m just happy I’m able to get the victory and finish strong.
Q
And, Sergio, what do you expect?  Do you expect this rematch to have this same type of electric start, or how do you prepare for this?
Mora
Well, we’re going to go back to Danny’s power.  He does have power.  And you’re born with power.  You can’t teach power.  You can’t go in the gym and work on power, or else I would’ve done that 20 years.  So, he’s blessed with an ability to punch hard with both hands.  And he’s always going to make for exciting fights.  Now, he’s also vulnerable because he’s been dropped before.  And that’s also on the exciting side.  So, whenever it comes to a guy like Danny Jacobs, you never know what you’re going to get.  It’s kind of like fighting a guy like Victor Ortiz, even though I think he’s better all around than Victor.  Victor’s exciting.  He’s a former champion.  He’s a power puncher.  But, you never know what Victor you’re going to get.
So, I think that’s the same thing with Danny, only Victor’s fought better opposition than Danny.  So, that’s the difference.  I think, for this fight, I don’t know, man.  I really don’t know what I’m going to expect.  I didn’t expect to go down in the first round.  I was surprised by the punch.  It was an awkward punch in from a southpaw angle.  I believe his right foot was in front.  I took a picture a little too long and held the position, expecting a left hook to come, and instead a right uppercut came, which is awkward.  And he calls me awkward.  That was an awkward punch.  So, yeah, you know what?  He stunned me.  I got up.  I shook it off.  And he came for the kill, like I knew he would.  And I was able to catch him.  I think we both learned that we can hurt each other, and we both learned that we both can be sneaky from certain sneaky positions.  So, I don’t think it’s going to start off with fireworks, like it did the first time.  But, I think it’s going to end up fireworks.  I don’t know if it’s the second, third, or further down the fight.  But, that’s what I’m expecting.
Q
And would anybody like to make a prediction for this fight, Danny?
Jacobs
I don’t make predictions.  I don’t like to go in there and have any type of thing going in my head where I have to live up to it.  I just like to win.  And however I win, however it comes, I’m grateful for it.
Mora
If I’m ready, I go in there to win.  And I’m ready for this fight.  I’m confident.  I expect a great performance from both of us.  And I expect to become a world champion, a two-time world division champion by the end of this fight.  So, I’m expecting to win.  I don’t know.  But, I’m going to win.
Marc Abrams – Okay.  Well, that’s going to wrap it up.  I just want to get every–Daniel and Sergio, just a quick final comment.  And after that, we’ll see you on fight week.  Daniel?
Jacobs
I just have a lot of people to thank that I would take this time to thank.  First off, I would like to thank my team and everyone involved for allowing me to have such a great camp.  They’ve put in the necessary work, everyone, team Jacobs, the necessary work that we need to be 100 percent prepared for this fight comeSeptember 9th.  I will be proudly representing my Brooklyn Boxing apparel as I’m sporting my trunks and finessing my moves inside the ring.
I want to give a big shout out to Brooklyn Boxing, have been supportive of my whole career. And me being an ambassador, I definitely have to big them up.  And Al Haymon, most importantly, Al has been taking care of me.  I’ve been the first guy that Al has had directly out of the amateurs to a world championship.  So, I have to give my hat–take my hat off to Al and everyone in our team Haymon.  And that’s pretty much it, all the promotors and managers involved with this as well, everyone who has made this possible, and thanks for all the fans for all the continued support.  Thank you very much.
Abrams
And, Sergio?
Mora
I got to start with Al Haymon because he’s given me not only a second opportunity, third, I’ve already had four opportunities to come back and reinvent myself.  And Al Haymon gave me that opportunity.  So, I thank Al Haymon.  I’ve got to thank my loyal team, my trainer Dean Campos, who’s been with me since the amateurs, [John Montillado], the rest of my team, my cut man Carlos, and [Panda Martinez].  And I want to thank my sponsors, [Snac].  Victor Conte’s onboard for this fight.  And I’ve never been a fighter that takes supplement.  I’m a guy that just tries to eat right and hydrate.  And I notice a difference with supplements.  And I do it the scientific way.  So, I want to thank the Snac System and Victor Conte.  And I want to thank my sponsor Spy Optics.  And that’s about it.  I want to thank the fans as well for–my day-one fans and even my critics, they keep me alive, so thank them, too.
Jacobs
Yeah, you forgot one more person, brother.  You forgot one more person, Sergio.
Mora
I want thank, what, Danny Jacobs?
Jacobs
That’s it.  That’s my man.  That’s my man.
Mora
Go fuck yourself.  I see you in two weeks, old boy.
Jacobs
Well, let’s do it on September 9th.  You already know, Sergio, I’m coming for you, brother.  I’m coming for you.
TICKETS:        Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions,
                        start at $20 and are on sale now via Ticketmaster.

LaManna Sees Big Opportunity In Sept. 15 Fight With Dusty Hernandez-Harrison

 

 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Philadelphia, PA – Welterweight prospect Thomas ” Cornflake”  LaManna took time out from training to discuss his much-anticipated Sept. 15 showdown with Dusty Hernandez-Harrison at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia and live on CBS Sports Network
What are your thoughts on Dusty Hernandez-Harrison?
I think he is better than what people are given him credit for.  He is 29-0-1 for a reason.  He has defeated everyone that they have put in front of him
(except the one draw).
How important is this fight for your career?
This is a career-defining fight.  The winner gets a world ranking.  It is for the USBA title and a spot in the Top 15 (in the world).  This is a big opportunity for both of us.  I am zoned in and I will do what I have to do to get the win.  It is a huge opportunity.  I have a loss and I don’t like that feeling.

You just mentioned that you have a loss.  What did you learn from that defeat that will help prepare you for this upcoming fight with Dusty?

The Douglas loss has prepared me for this.  Being a headline fighter on television.  We will be seen by more people being on CBS Sports Network.  I am five fights more mature since my loss.  I have been fighting solid competition and I have been more active.

What in those five fights has helped you prepare for this fight?
None of those guys are comparable to Dusty, but I fought guys with different styles and went some rounds with them when people may have questioned my stamina.  I fought a rugged guy in Ayi Bruce and a crafty southpaw in Ariel Vasquez.  Those guys aren’t killers, but I was getting work in.

What things have you fixed since the loss to Douglas?   Did you feel you were overmatched in the fight?

It opened my eyes and it showed me that I needed to fix stuff.  My diet and daily living.  I was overmatched in maybe size, but I really felt going into that fight that I would beat him.
What are you doing different?
My diet and other things I do when I am not training.  I was a middleweight because I was too lazy to drop down in weight.  I have made a lot of adjustments.

You started out at middleweight, but you have eased your way down to welterweight.  How difficult has that been and what type of advantage does this play into the September 15fight?

I was always a big middleweight, but strength-wise I wasn’t.  Now at welterweight, I am more explosive, faster, more experienced and now I can dictate the action.  This is the first time he (Harrison) is fighting someone bigger than him.  He has been fighting smaller guys.  He now will have to face punches from a grown man.
The fight was originally scheduled for Atlantic City, where you would have been involved in the promotional aspects of the show.  That would have entailed doing a lot of work behind the scenes, which would have taken some time away from training.  Are you relieved that the fight is in Philadelphia?
I am thankful for that.  I know I would have had to get involved in the promotional aspect and some of the stuff leading up to the fight.  To me it doesn’t matter where the fight is.  Philadelphia is a neutral ground.  As long as there is a ring, it doesn’t matter where it takes place

Why this fight right now?

It’s time.  He has fought one tough guy and if you saw the fight, he lost it (officially a draw with Mike Dallas).  I have no doubt in my mind that I will win the fight and maybe even stop him.  But it is a great opportunity to get showcased on national television for the USBA title.
#     #     #
ABOUT SEPT. 15

Welterweights Thomas LaManna and Dusty Hernandez-Harrison will collide in a scheduled 10-round bout for the vacant USBA Welterweight title on Thursday, Sept. 15, at the 2300 Arena. The card is promoted by Final Forum Boxing, Peltz Boxing Promotions & GH3 Promotions and will be broadcast live on CBS Sports Network, beginning at 10pm.

Tickets for the nine-fight card, which begins at 7pm, are priced at $75, $50 and $40 They are available at Peltz Boxing (215-765-0922), at the 2300 Arena (267-273-0945) and Bam Boxing (215-280-6709).

Christy Martin’s Pink Promotions and Pretty Girl Promotions present a night of championship boxing on Wednesday, October, 19 at the Grady Cole Center in Charlotte, NC

Charlotte’s own Quinton Rankin in the main event
Rosalinda Rodriguez battles Naomi Bosque for the NABF Flyweight title

TICKETS ON SALE–TOMORROW–SEPTEMBER 1ST 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Charlotte, NC (August 31, 2016) – Former world champion, Nevada Boxing Hall of Famer, Bare Knuckle and Women’s Boxing Hall of Famer, Christy Martin embarks on a new career as she introduces Pink Promotions along with Pretty Girl Promotions will present a special night of boxing on Wednesday, October 19 at Grady Cole Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

In the main event, light heavyweight Quinton Rankin (11-3-1, 8 KO’s) of Charlotte will compete in an eight-round bout against an opponent to be named.
Rankin, 29 years old is a five year pro is a known commodity in the area as he has fought half of his fights in the greater Charlotte area.
He has been active in 2016 as this will be his fifth fight of the year.  He will be looking to get back in the win column after going eight rounds with prospect Medzhid Bektemirov (16-1) on August 13.
In the co-feature, it will be a battle for the NABF Flyweight title as undefeated Rosalinda Rodriguez (4-0, 1 KO) of Miami, Florida battles Naomi Bosque (10-7-2, 2 KO’s) of St. Petersburg, Florida.

Rodriguez has two wins over undefeated foes which include Federica Bianco and her last bout when she won a four-round unanimous decision over Samantha Salazar on July 16th in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Bosque has wins over Monica Flores (3-0) and Yolaine Lin De Lauf (6-1).

Also scheduled to appear will be super featherweight, Christian Camacho (2-1) of Las Vegas.
Camacho is the son of Hall of Famer Hector “Macho” Camacho.
Taking part in an eight-round bout will be Renan Ruiz (7-2-1, 3 KO’s) of Brooklyn, New York.
Opponents for Rankin, Camacho and Ruiz plus more bouts will be announced shortly.
“My company Pink Promotions  will be working with Mercedes Vazquez Simmons of Pretty Girl Promotions to put on a spectacular show,” said Hall of fame champion, Christy Martin. “The Championship fight between Rosalinda Rodriguez and Noemi Bosque is going to be a show stealer and will give the crowd its money worth.  Neither is a classic boxer.  They`re brawlers who are tough, durable, hard hitting and strong.”
 “Another exciting bonus on this spectacular card,  is promising 24 year old Christian Camacho- son of the famous, late great Hector “Macho” Camacho.”
“All along I knew I would be a promoter. There`s so much to be done and I`m here with my feet on the ground in Charlotte, North Carolina.  The issue is to sell tickets, convince people to attend to see some great boxing and to build on that success. These two women are going to give us a REAL FIGHT!”

“We’re thrilled at the opportunity to partner with Christy Martin’s Pink Promotions on her inaugural event in which we plan on making a series of fights card in city of Charlotte , NC.,”Said co-promoter, Mercedes Simmons of Pretty Girl Promotions.

“Christy Martin and I share the same philosophy, which is to provide quality fight cards that will allow regional and under exposed fighters a platform for them to display their talents. Our commitment to Charlotte, NC is long term ”

Tickets go on sales September 1st on line at www.christy-Martin.com and at

Fast Fit Boxing Gym
2130 Wilkenson Blvd
Charlotte NC

The “O” must go in co-feature showdown at “Knockout Night at the D” between Undefeated junior middleweight prospects Rolando Garza & Neeco Macias  

Live Sept. 9 on CBS Sports Network from the Downtown Las Vegas Event Center
LAS VEGAS (August 30, 2016) – In a classic match-up of contrasting styles, Rolando “Rola” Garza and Neeco “The Rooster” Macias will both put their undefeated records on the line in the “Knockout Night at the D” 8-round co-featured event, airing Friday night, September 9, on CBS Sports Network, live from the outdoor Downtown Las Vegas Events Center (DLVEC).
The “Knockout Night at the D” series, presented by

and DLVEC, is promoted by Roy Jones Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions.  Hall Of Fame announcers Jim “J.R.” Ross and Al Bernstein will call all of the action from ringside, starting at 11 p.m. ET / 11 p.m. ET, on CBS Sports Network.

The 10-round main event pits unbeaten junior welterweights Emmanuel “Renegade” Robles (15-1-1, 5 KOs) and Steve “The Dragon” Claggett(23-4-1, 16 KOs),promoted in association with Bobby D Presents, for the vacant North American Boxing Association (NABA) – United States junior welterweight championship.
Garza and Macias (12-0, 6 KOs), who will be fighting for the vacant WBC – US junior middleweight championship, are exact opposites in and out of the ring.  The winner will advance to the next level of competition in the 154-pound division.
A technically sound boxer, Garza had an extensive amateur background as a member of the Mexican National Team, finishing with a 120-12 record, before turning pro September 29, 2012.  The quiet, unassuming fighter 24-year-old was impressive in his last fight, also at the DLVEC this past June 10, in which he dominated previously unbeaten Erasmo Garcia (5-0-1) on his way to  an 6-round unanimous decision (59-54, 59-54, 58-56) victory.
Rolando Garza
(Photo by Tom Donoghue / the D))

“The opportunity that Roy Jones Jr Boxing Promotions and CBS Sports Network has presented me has boosted my confidence to another level,” Garza said. “I have never been more confident in my skills, my team and training. I’m going to show Las Vegas and the rest of country what my talent brings into the ring.  Once Las Vegas witnesses my talent, fighting on national television, no one will be able to turn a blind eye. Not only will this fight put my name out there, but better opportunities will present themselves, and that keeps me motivated.

“This fight will propel me into the 154-pound rankings. It’s high risk with an even higher reward: the WBC / US title.  My opponent is a brawler; a non-stop, aggressive puncher who moves forward, which will make this fight nothing short of explosive fireworks in the ring.”
In the other corner, the non-stop Macias relies on conditioning and an aggressive, always coming forward approach to break down his opponent.  The 25-year-old Macias, fighting out of Palm Desert, California, unlike Garza, who now lives and trains in Austin (TX), had only 30 amateur bouts having started boxing at the relative advanced age of 21.  He did win gold medals at the National Blue & Gold Tournament, as well as Central California Golden Gloves and Desert Showdown. Macias is a showman, playing to the crowd before, during and after fights, crowing like a rooster, always with a broad smile on his face.
Neeco Macia
(Photo by Tom Donoghue – the D)

Macias’ last fight, also at the DLVE this past April 16, resulted in an action-packed fight against Limberth Ponce(10-2).  Never tasking his foot off the pedal, Macias rolled to a win by 8-round unanimous decision (79-73 X 3), earning him a legion of new fans who were in attendance or watched the fight on CBS Sports Network.

“Fighters don’t really care who they fight, they just want to fight,” Macias explained why his risking his undefeated record against an opponent who has never loss. “I had a fight fall through so, instead of waiting for another fight, when the opportunity to fight a 9-0 guy came, my coaches watched film of him and we agreed that I’m ready.  This is the first time I’m fighting on the ‘B’ side, but we’re using that as motivation.  I take one fight at a time but I know I’m fighting on TV and need to look good.  I want to show everyone that all the hard work has paid off.
“I see this fight as my opponent probably having more skill, he’s technically sound and sets up his shots.  But our plan is to take him out of his game plan, wear him down and have some fun doing it.  My last fight was my first in Las Vegas and first time fighting on national television.  It got a lot of notice.  I’ve been through all of that now and will be even better prepared for this fight.  It’s awesome fighting in Las Vegas on CBS Sports Network!”
‘Knockout Night at the D” returns Friday, Sept. 30
Hanzel Martinez (23-2, 18 KOs) vs. Emmanuel Quartey (20-2, 19 KOs)
Vacant WBA International Super Bantamweight Championship
Tony Lopez (11-1, 4 KOs) vs. Stephon Young (14-0-3, 6 KOs)
Vacant WBA / NABA Bantamweight Championship
John Vera (14-0, 9 KOs) vs. Milorad Zizic (12-1, 6 KOs)
WBA / NABA Super Welterweight Championship
TICKETS ON SALE NOW AT TICKETMASTER.COM or DLVEC.COM
 
Las Vegas favorite Jeremy “J-Flash” Nichols (5-0, 2 KOs) battles TexanSteve Belmonte (2-0) in a 4-round bout to open the television broadcast.
Also scheduled to fight on the undercard is undefeated Ugandan lightweight prospect Ismail “Sharp Shooter” Muwendo (17-0, 11 KOs), fighting out of Minneapolis, in a 6-rounder versus dangerous Mexican fighter Eliseo “Lobo” Cruz (9-1-1, 6 KOs). In 4-round fights, 20-year-old junior lightweightRandy Moreno (3-0, 2 KOs), of Las Vegas, will square off with Gaige Ireland (2-0-2, 2 KOs), of Australia by way of Ireland, 18-year-old Las Vegas bantamweight Max “Baby Faced Assassin” Ornelas (3-0, 2 KOs) meetsJohnathan Quiroz (6-4, 1 KO), of Oceanside, California, and Las Vegas junior flyweight Marina Ramirez (1-0) faces New Jersey’s Rachel “The Black Widow” Sazoff (0-1).
All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets, priced at $99.99 VIP ringside, $49.99 ringside, $24.99 and $14.99 general admission (seated), are on sale at www.Ticketmaster.com orwww.DLVEC.com.  Taxes and fees apply to all sold tickets.
Doors open at 5:00 p.m. PT with the opening bout scheduled at 6:30 p.m. PT.
The “Knockout Night at the D” series was developed in partnership with DLVEC and Neon Star Media.
CBS Sports Network is available across the country through local cable, video and telco providers and via satellite on DirecTV Channel 221 and Dish Network Channel 158. For more information, including a full programming schedule and how to get CBS Sports Network, go towww.cbssportsnetwork.com.