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ROC NATION SPORTS ANNOUNCES NON-TELEVISED UNDERCARD FIGHTERS FOR ANDRE WARD VS. ALEXANDER BRAND

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 ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 6 AT ORACLE ARENA IN OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA

 

WARD VS. BRAND TO BE TELEVISED LIVE

ON HBO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®

BEGINNING AT 10:35 p.m. ET/PT

 

NEW YORK, NY (July 26, 2016) – Two-Time World Champion and top-rated pound-for-pound fighter Andre Ward (29-0, 15 KOs) will return to the ring on Saturday, August 6, to continue his conquest of the light heavyweight division when he takes on power-punching Colombian Alexander Brand (25-1, 19 KOs) at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. The event, which will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:35 p.m. ET/PT, will now include six bouts of non-televised action for ticketed fans to enjoy before the main showdown.

 

The promising undercard lineup will feature East Bay familiar, Bilal Mahasin and a collection of Roc Nation Sports’ brightest prospects including, Daniel “Twitch” Franco, Rudy “The Revelation” Puga Jr. and Darmani “Rock Solid” Rock. Roc Nation Sports’ sparkplug Maurice “Mighty Mo” Hooker also looks to ignite Oracle Arena as the card’s co-feature in a 10-round NABO Junior Welterweight Title clash against Tyrone Barnett.

 

Maurice “Mighty Mo” Hooker (20-0-2, 15 KOs) was born and raised in Oak Cliff, Texas, a suburb of Dallas, where he found a boxing home at Maple Avenue Boxing Gym by way of an outreach program for at-risk youths. His natural talent was soon noticed resulting in him competing as an amateur, during which time he participated in over 100 fights, compiling a record of 97 wins and only 7 losses, with 67 victories coming by way of knockout. Hooker turned professional on April 29, 2011, taking on the vastly more experienced Tyrone Chatman at the Orpheum Theater in St. Louis. After four rounds, the judges saw the fight 40-36, 37-39 and 38-38, making the fight a split draw. Undeterred, in his next fight on June 24, 2014, Hooker scored his first professional win, knocking out Wilbert Mitchell in the first round at the Dr. Pepper Arena in Frisco, Texas. Eleven wins (eight by knockout) later, he took on undefeated Abel Ramos on January 17, 2014 in a bout that was featured on ShoBox from the Cook Convention Center in Memphis. After eight close, hard-fought rounds, the judges saw the fight a draw. Four consecutive knockout victories would follow before he took on fellow undefeated prospect Eduardo Galindo on June 26, 2015 at the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center in Dallas for the vacant NABO Junior Welterweight Championship. “Mo” did not disappoint his legion of hometown fans who saw him capture the title with a sixth round technical knockout victory. On October 17, 2015, Hooker successfully defended his title at Madison Square Garden in New York City against his toughest opponent to date in Ghislain Maduma. The 10-round decision win came on the undercard of Gennady Golovkin vs. David Lemieux and was featured on the event’s “freeview” as well as streamed online around the world. “Mighty Mo” made his debut under the Roc Nation Sports banner on the undercard of Andre Ward vs. Sullivan Barrera, this past March at Oracle Arena in Oakland, CA, where he annihilated opponent Wilfrido “La Roca” Buelvas of Columbia in the first round of a 10-round junior welterweight bout by way of technical knockout. Hooker looks to advance his undefeated record when he takes on Tyrone Barnett (23-4-1, 15 KOs) on August 6 at Oracle Arena. Barnett was in action this past February, with a technical knockout victory over Daniel Attah at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The D.C. native is eager to stop Maurice Hooker’s momentum and take home the NABO title.

 

Hailing from Riverside, California and fighting out of the boxing hotbed of Oxnard, undefeated junior lightweight Daniel “Twitch” Franco (13-0-3, 8 KOs) began boxing at the age of eight, amassing an amateur record of 67-15, winning the Oxnard PAL Championship in 2006 and the California State Silver Gloves Championship in 2007 along the way. During Franco’s professional debut on December 18, 2010, he defeated Emanuel Machorro at Club 401 in Ontario, California via a third round technical knockout. Franco impressed early in his career, compiling an undefeated record with two draws in venues throughout California by the end of 2013. One of those draws came against Alejandro Ochoa at Quiet Cannon in Montebello, California on September 20, 2013, but in a rematch three months later, Franco outmatched Ochoa scoring a six-round unanimous decision victory at Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles. On June 20, 2015, during Ward’s return to the ring at Oracle Arena, Franco saw action in an eight round junior lightweight bout against Jonathan Alcantara and won by unanimous decision. In his most recent fight on March 26, 2016 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California on the Andre Ward vs. Sullivan Barrera undercard, the unbeaten Twitch met Mexico’s German “Panteonero” Meraz in an eight-round featherweight bout. Franco scored a technical knockout over the veteran fighter in the final round of the fight.August 6 will be Franco’s third appearance at Oracle when he takes on Renton, Washington’s Marcelo Gallardo (7-3-2, 3 KOs). The 26-year-old Gallardo has been known to play the spoiler role, scoring unanimous decision victories over unbeaten prospects Christopher Diaz and Vic Pasillas in 2015.

 

Having compiled an exceptional amateur record of 99-8, Rudy “The Revelation” Puga. Jr. (8-0, 7 KOs), the promising prospect from Salinas, California made his professional debut on September 2, 2011, scoring a fourth round technical knockout victory over Raul Talamontes at the Sports Complex in his hometown. Back in the ring less than two months later, Puga Jr. raised his record to 2-0 with a first round technical knockout of Jose Jesus Hurtado at the Sherwood Inn in Salinas.  In June 2012, he sent Thomas Turner to the mat four times scoring a second round technical knockout win at the Joint at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. After a little more than a year away from the ring, he rededicated himself to the “sweet science” with a vengeance and on February 17, 2014, Puga Jr. made his comeback stopping Charon Spain in the third round with an overpowering body shot at the Salinas Storm House in his native Salinas. Puga Jr. rounded out 2015 with a four-round technical knockout of Katrell Straus and a six-round unanimous decision over Juan Carlos Rojas. On February 12, Puga Jr. extended his undefeated streak to 7 fights by knocking out Alejandro Osuna in two rounds at the Double Tree Hotel in Ontario, California. In his most recent fight on March 26, 2016 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California on HBO’s Andre Ward vs. Sullivan Barrera undercard, Puga Jr. extended his undefeated streak against Carlos “Kalimba” Lozano by way of a technical knockout in the sixth round. The Southern California native returns to the Bay Area on August 6 to face an opponent to be announced.

 

Brooklyn’s undefeated Junior “The Young God” Younan (9-0, 7 KOs) is considered one of New York City’s best boxing prospects. Younan, trained by his father Sherif, a former professional boxer himself, began fighting competitively at age eight and only two years later was called a “boxing prodigy” by the New York Times. He compiled an amateur record of 90-5, racking up an impressive series of titles along the way including nine Junior Olympic championships, nine Junior Metro championships, eight New York State Silver Gloves championships and five Regional Silver Gloves championships. In 2011, he was crowned National Junior Golden Gloves champion and was U.S.A. Boxing’s number one rated junior boxer in his weight class. Less than a month after his 18th birthday, Younan made his professional debut on November 9, 2013, at the Aviator Sports and Events Center in Brooklyn, New York, stopping Kenneth Schmitz in the first round. During his recent match up on the Andre Ward vs. Sullivan Barrera undercard that took place March 26, 2016, Younan scored a four round unanimous decision over Christian Solarzano, pitching a shutout on all three scorecards. Facing his stiffest test to date on May 13, 2016 on the undercard of throne boxing’s Dusty Hernandez-Harrison vs. Mike Dallas, Jr. on BET and Tidal.com, Younan overwhelmed Rodrigo Almeida of Woburn, Massachusetts with a technical knockout in the first round at the DC Armory in Washington, D.C. Returning to Oakland on the Ward vs. Brand undercard, Younan is set to take on Jaime “Zarco” Solorio (5-2-2, 4 KOs) on August 6. Fighting out of Baja, California, the Mexico native is riding an undefeated streak in his last six fights.

 

At the age of 20, Darmani Rock (3-0, 3 KOs) is already drawing comparisons to former heavyweight greats of the past. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Rock was brought to a local boxing ring by his father at age twelve after he lost a street fight to neighborhood bullies. Standing at 6’4”, he moves with an unparalleled lightness and speed for a fighter his size. Rock earned nation-wide accolades following a banner year in 2014 when he took home the USA Boxing Junior and Youth Open, Youth Continental and Youth World super heavyweight titles. During the 2014 Junior and Youth Open in Reno, Nevada, Rock shut out the 2013 National Youth Champion, John Luna, 3-0. This impressive performance was followed by another super heavyweight title at the Youth Continental Championships in March 2014 in Quito, Ecuador where he defeated Argentina’s Kervin Espinola 3-0. Rock then took home the gold medal at the prestigious World Youth Championships in Bulgaria in April 2014 by a 2-1 decision over Germany’s Peter Kadiru. Rock also took home the 2014 World Junior Amateur Championship and capped off 2014 by being named Philadelphia’s Amateur Boxer of the Year at the annual Briscoe Awards. His most noteworthy win, however, came in May 2015 when he beat Cam Awesome in Las Vegas for the National Golden Gloves title. Rock also captured the 2015 U.S. National Amateur super heavyweight championship. He ended his amateur career as the number one rated super heavyweight in the United States (and the number five rated super heavyweight in the world) going 19-5 in national tournaments. Rock made his highly anticipated professional debut, after signing an exclusive promotional agreement with Roc Nation Sports, against Rockville, Maryland’s Carlos Black on May 13, 2016, as the co-feature of Roc Nation’s throne boxing card at the Armory in Washington, D.C. Following a devastating left hook, Rock brought his opponent to the floor with a right-left combination at the 1:54 mark of the first round. Without wasting any time, Rock followed his impressive debut by demolishing his next two opponents, Bobby Favors and Hassan Lee, both by way of knockout in the first round of the respective bouts. Making his Oracle Arena debut on August 6, Rock looks to keep his fierce win streak alive when he takes on Mike Kyle (1-2-1, 1 KO). The Boise, Idaho native seeks to reaffirm the impression he has set on Oakland where he scored his first career win and knockout over James Kirby this past January.

 

Bilal “Rebellious” Mahasin (8-3-1, 1 KO) is no stranger to Oakland fight fans. A resident of the Bay Area’s eastern shore, Mahasin made his professional debut in 2002 with great promise, winning his first three fights.  On November 10, 2013, he fought one of the area’s top junior welterweight fighters, Moris Rodriguez, at the Red Lion Hotel in Sacramento, California. East Bay supporters made the trek to the state’s capital for Mahasin’s triumphant return which came by way of a six-round unanimous decision. Mahasin has accrued a ring record with a majority of the results coming as wins, and has transitioned up a weight class to super welterweight. He last fought on June 11, 2016 at the 16th Street Rail Station in Oakland, going the distance with a six-round unanimous decision over Vincente Guzman. Mahasin is ready to take on journeyman Luis Alfredo Lugo (14-25-1, 5 KOs) on August 6 at Oracle Arena in front an ever-steadied fanfare.

 

Ward vs. Brand is a 12-round fight presented by Roc Nation Sports and sponsored by Corona Extra, Verizon, ProSupps, Corporate Travel Management Solutions (CTMS), Brand Jordan, Verizon, Shoe Palace, Ticketmaster and The Clorox Company, supporting the Bay Area Community for over 100 years.

 

Tickets priced at $250, $120, $90, $40 and $30, not including applicable service charges and taxes, are available at all Ticketmaster locations, online at Ticketmaster.com (http://bit.ly/WardBrandPR) and charge by phone at (800) 745-3000.

 

For more information, please visit www.rocnation.com. Follow Roc Nation on Twitter and Instagram @rocnation and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RocNation.

 

For more information, visit www.hbo.com/boxing, follow on Twitter and Instagram at @HBOBoxing and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing.

 

Follow the conversation using #WardBrand.

 

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Mykal “The Professor” Fox takes on Somner Martin on Friday, August 19th at the Crystal City Hilton in Crystal City, Virginia

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Luther Smith battles Mike Balogun in battle of undefeated heavyweights

Plus undefeated Jordan White, Sam Crossed, Devar Ferhadi & Colby Madison to see action
For Immediate Release
Crystal City, Virginia–On Friday night, August 19th, undefeated Mykal Fox will take on Somner Martin in a junior welterweight bout scheduled for eight rounds which will be the main event of a card that will originate from the Crystal City Hilton in Crystal City, Virginia.
The card is promoted by King’s Promotions.
Fox of Forestville, Maryland has a record of 10-0 with two knockouts.
The 20 year-old will be making his 3rd appearance in 2016 and is coming off a six-round unanimous decision over Jose Valderrama on June 28th in Bethlehem, PA.
Martin of Martinsville, Virginia has a record of 5-2 with three knockouts.  This will be Martin’s 3rd fight of 2016.  Fox will represent the 3rd undefeated for for Martin.  The 29 year-old Martin is coming off a six-round unanimous decision defeat to Kareem Martin (7-0-1) on April 1st in Washington, DC.
In a six-round heavyweight co-feature of undefeated heavyweights, Luther Smith(5-0, 4 KO’s) of Bowie, Maryland will take on Mike Balogun (6-0, 5 KO’s) of Upper Marlboro, Maryland.
In a six-round super middleweight bout, Antowyan Aikens (10-2, 1 KO) of Atlantic City, NJ will fight an opponent to be named.
Also seeing action in a six-round bout will be super middleweight Devar Ferhadi(6-0, 5 KO’s) of Frederick, Maryland taking on an Zachariah Kelly (5-15, 5 KO’s) of Earlsboro, Oklahamoa
In four-round bouts:

Jordan White (2-0, 2 KO’s) of Washington, DC will take on an opponent to be named in a bantamweight bout.

Marcus Bates (3-0-1, 3 KO’s) of Washington, DC will fight Daniel Hernandez(0-1-1) of Queens, NY in a featherweight bout,

Sam Crossed (3-0, 1 KO) of Greenbelt, Maryland will take on Mike Estus (0-3) of Ames, Iowa.
Colby Madison (2-0, 1 KO) of Owings Mills, Maryland will tangle with an Randy Easton (3-9-2, 3 KO’s) of Sunbury, PA in a heavyweight bout.
Patrick Rivera of Edgewood, Maryland will make his pro debut when he fightsDustin Caplinger (2-8, 1 KO) of Columbus, OH  in a junior middleweight bout.
Phillip Hooker of Washington, DC will make his pro debut against David Rohn(0-6-1) of Villa Park, IL in a middleweight bout.

Tickets $50/$75/$100 and are available by calling 301.890.2430 or by clicking
www.KPboxing.com.
boxing

18-year old Chaise Nelson remains undefeated with unanimous decision victory

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YOUNGSTOWN, OH (July 25, 2016) – This past Saturday, Pro Box Management’sfeatherweight prospect, 18-year old Chaise “Pretty Boy” Nelson, remained undefeated, winning a unanimous decision over Hector Gonzalez, improving his record to (4-0, 3 KOs).  Going the distance for the first time in his career, Nelson reflects on is recent victory.
“This was a good experience for me, being that I got to go the full four rounds for the first time in my career,” said Chaise Nelson. “Gonzalez was using a lot of movement so I had to be more aggressive at times.  In boxing there are some many different styles.  Sometimes you’ll face guys who will box and other times you’ll face guys who will bang.  I’m just glad I won every round and got the victory.  I’ll be right back in the gym getting ready for my next fight.”
Nelson, who is an Ohio native, was making his U.S. debut.  Many family and friends were in attendance to support Ohio’s next boxing start.  Nelson was thrilled to see the support from his fans.
“It was a good feeling knowing I had a lot of family and friends in the crowd.” Nelson continued. “My hometown of Mansfield is a few hours away so I know everyone made a little sacrifice to come watch me fight.  The goal is to continue fighting in Ohio to build my fan base.  I can’t wait to get back in the ring.”
# # #
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Moises Chucky Flores receives IBO belt in negotiations for Rigondeaux showdown

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Flores holds IBO and WBA belts with co-manager Henry Rivalta. Photo By Team Pro Box Management
GUADALAJARA, MX (July 26, 2016) – This past Saturday, newly crowned undefeated IBO super-bantamweight world champion, Moises “Chucky” Flores (25-0, 17 KOs), received his belt from co-manager Henry Rivalta of Pro Box Management.  Last June, Flores scored an impressive unanimous decision victory over Paulus Ambunda (24-2, 10 KOs), in his home town of Windhoek, Namibia (Africa), to earn the world title strap.
Flores, who is also the WBA interim champion, is now the mandatory challenger to face WBA super-champion Guillermo Rigondeaux (17-0, 11 KOs).  Both camps are in negotiations with the possibility of the fight happening in the next few months.  If the fight comes to fruition, both the WBA and IBO world title belts will be on the line.  After receiving his IBO world title belt, and a big fight looming with Rigondeaux, Flores speaks on his current situation.
“Winning the IBO world championship is a testament to my hard work and the great team around me,” said Mexico’s Moises “Chucky” Flores. “Together we worked really hard to get this world title. I’m now the mandatory to challenge Guillermo Rigondeaux, a fight I’m looking forward to.  He’s very skilled but I feel I have all the tools to defeat him.  My management team is working hard to get this fight finalized.  It’s time to see who the best super-bantamweight is.  I going to bring that world title home to Mexico.”
boxing, NBC, Premier Boxing Champions

Fabian Maidana Battles To Seventh-Round TKO Victory Over Jorge Maysonet in Main Event of Premier Boxing Champions on NBCSN Saturday Night from The Scottish Rite Auditorium in San Antonio

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Alan Castano Remains Unbeaten with Unanimous Decision
Over Aaron Garcia
&
Unbeaten Prospect Brandon Figueroa Stops Adalberto Zorrilla
 in Round Three
 
Click HERE for Photos From Ryan Greene/Premier Boxing Champions
(Photos to be added shortly)
 
SAN ANTONIO (July 23, 2016) – Undefeated prospect Fabian Maidana (10-0, 7 KOs) scored a seventh-round technical knockout victory over Jorge Maysonet Jr. (13-2, 11 KOs) Saturday night in the main event of Premier Boxing Champions on NBCSN from the Scottish Rite Auditorium in San Antonio.
With his brother, former world champion Marcos Maidana, sitting at ringside, the Argentine-slugger overcame a slow start and a first-round bloody nose for a sensational one-sided beat-down of the Puerto Rican brawler Maysonet, who failed to answer the bell for the seventh round of Saturday’s main event.
Referee Rafael Ramos, acting on the advice of Maysonet’s corner, called the fight as Maidana dominated the punch stats with a 60-22 advantage in overall punches, 49-15 in power shots, and 11-7 in jabs.
Maysonet came to fight and pressed Maidana from the beginning, eventually, nailing Maidana with a right hand to the nose that opened up a steady flow of blood.
Sensing the urgency, Maidana stormed back in the second, rocking Maysonet with a right hand, left hook combination with just over 10 seconds to go in a round in which he out-landed Maysonet 12-4 in power shots.
Maidana’s kept up a versatile attack in the third round using head movement, stick-and-move tactics and a varied assortment of punches to keep up his advantage over Maysonet.
Maidana turned the match in his favor in the next round, delivering an impressive battering of Maysonet over the final 20 seconds of the round.
The Argentine was even more dominant in the one-sided fifth and sixth rounds, doubling up on his hooks, firing straight rights and landing head-snapping shots that began the demise of a fading Maysonet.
Undefeated Alan Castano (11-0, 7 KOs) failed to earn his third straight knockout despite out-landing his opponent 157-94 in overall punches, winning his middleweight bout by unanimous decision (78-74 three times) over 22-year-old Aaron Garcia (15-6-1, 10 KOs).
The 23-year-old Castano was accurate early in the first round with clean right hands supporting a stiff jab. The attack caused immediate swelling over Garcia’s left eye entering the second round, where he temporarily was able to trap and hammer away at Garcia with combinations against the ropes.
Garcia dominated the final 45 minutes of the second round with a momentum-swinging right to the head followed by successive combinations from both fighters at the bell.
A third-round clash of heads caused a nasty gash over Garcia’s right eye that increasingly streamed blood, forcing Garcia to go on the offensive, as Castano countered effectively with both hands to the head and body in an action-packed fourth round.
Castano continued to control the fight, establishing angles from behind his jab, follow-up rights and clean left uppercuts while Garcia stayed competitive throughout the round.
Fighting beyond six rounds for the first time in his career, Castano spent the final two rounds on the defensive, jabbing and countering from a distance and staying off the ropes on his way to winning unanimously.
The televised opener saw 19-year-old Brandon Figueroa (9-0, 7 KOs) score a pair of final-round knockdowns on the way to his fifth-straight stoppage victory as he earned a TKO over Adalberto Zorrilla(7-2, 7 KOs) at the 2:44 mark of the third round.
The southpaw Figueroa, brother of former world champion Omar Figueroa, pressed forward with a double-fisted attack from the outset, but Zorrilla landed several uppercuts cleanly up the middle, refusing to back down from the challenge of the unbeaten prospect.
Zorrilla began to out-work the oncoming Figueroa to the head and body through the second round before being penalized for repeated low blows late in the round by referee Rafael Ramos.
The fighters engaged toe-to-toe, at ring center to start the third until a Figueroa left to the head rocked Zorrilla to the ropes. Figueroa saw his opportunity and pounced, flooring him with a left hand near the one-minute mark.
Zorrilla beat the count and engaged immediately, staggering Figueroa with a left jab. Figueroa came back to floor him for good, with 18 seconds to go after a left to the body followed by one to the head.  The blows sent Zorrilla to his back beneath a bottom rope, where Ramos waved an end to the fight.
Here is what the fighters had to say Saturday night:
FABIAN MAIDANA
“We were very pleased with our performance. He caught me with a good shot that drew blood from my nose in the first round. I just kept calm, listened to my corner and stuck to the game plan. I knew I was the stronger fighter; I just had to remain patient.
“I was a little disappointed that I didn’t get to knock him out, but I sensed that he would eventually quit. He stopped throwing punches and didn’t want to fight back.
“It means everything to have Chino (Marcos Maidana) by my side, supporting my career. It meant a lot to get this win on US TV in the same city where he beat Adrien Broner (in Dec. ’13) and became a star. With each fight, I want to show fans that I’m Fabian Maidana, not just his little brother. I proved that tonight and will do so with more experience. I’m ready to carry the family name in the ring.
“This was only my 10th pro fight. I’m going to keep improving each time. Next fight, I will look even better, no matter when it is.”
JORGE MAYSONET
“I had him hurt early, but I couldn’t put my punches together after that. I gave 100% of what I had, but I really only had 50% of my best stuff. I’m a lightweight. They wanted the fight at super lightweight, then 143. We took the fight because of who he is, really who his brother is.
“To be honest, we don’t think much of him as a fighter. He’s bigger than me and was able to beat me that way. My corner saw that I reached a point where I couldn’t fight the way I wanted to. We didn’t want to disappoint the crowd by going out there and not fighting, so my corner stopped the fight and I respect their decision. This isn’t the last of me, I’m coming back at my natural weight and will go on to achieve great things in this sport.”
ALAN CASTANO
“I’m very happy with my performance. It was my first time going eight rounds, I had a lot of energy throughout the fight and was able to do everything I wanted in there.
“He was tough, but we knew that going in. I didn’t pay a lot of attention to his fight with Brian (Alan’s older brother, who beat Garcia by eight-round decision last December). I couldn’t tell you if he was any different tonight than when he fought that night. I just know what I wanted to do. He gave me a good test that I needed at this point in my career.
“I’d love to come back as soon as my team can make a fight for me.”
BRANDON FIGUEROA
“It was good to get the knockout, but I felt very off tonight, very sluggish. I like the activity I’ve had but this might be the first time in my career where I need a break.
“This was the toughest test to date for me. I knew that going into the fight and he landed a few good shots. This was a night where I needed to be at my best. I wasn’t but fortunate to get the job done.
“I know the left hook landed to his body to end the fight, but I don’t even remember it. I felt a little sick towards the end of training camp. My focus was just trying to get him out of there. I did that, so now it’s time to act like a teenager and enjoy a summer vacation, maybe slow it down just a little.”
# # #
PBC on NBCSN was promoted by Leija Battah Promotions and TGB Promotions
For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com and www.nbcsports.com/boxing, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @LeijaBattahPR, @NBCSports and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions and www.facebook.com/NBCSportsHighlights available at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions.  PBC on NBCSN is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.
boxing, Premier Boxing Champions, Spike TV

Berridge replaces injured Dawson vs. Alvarez

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“SHOOTOUT“IN QUEBEC
STEVENSON vs. WILLIAMS
WBC LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD TITLE
July 29 airing live on Spike TV from Videotron Centre
MONTRÉAL (July 23, 2016) – Undefeated No. 1 light heavyweight contender Eleider “Storm” Alvarez (19-0, 10 KOs) has found a solid boxer to face him on the July 29 card, featuring the WBC and lineal world light heavyweight title fight between defending champion Adonis “Superman” Stevenson (27-1, 22 KOs) and challenger Thomas Williams Jr. (20-1, 14 KOs), at the Videotron Centre. WBC Silver light heavyweight champion Alvarez will face New Zealand southpaw slugger Robert “The Butcher” Berridge (27-4-1, 21 KOs).
 
The Alvarez-Berridge co-feature, scheduled for 10 rounds at a 180-pound catch-weight, will air on Spike TV in the United States. Named “The Butcher” because of his aggressive style and power, the 31-year-old Australian sputhpaw has won the several regional titles during his pro career including New Zealand (2013 and 2015), WBC Asia (2013), PABA (2013-2014) and WBO Oriental (2013-2014).
 
“I prepared to face a southpaw in Chad Dawson and Berridge is also left-handed, so adapting will be easier,” Alvarez said. “I tip my hat to him for accepted this challenge with only a 10-day notice
 
“For sure, I am really disappointed in Dawson’s withdrawal, but these things happen that you cannot control. I’m still happy to get in the ring of the Vidéotron Centre in Quebec City.”
 
“Berridge is an aggressive, powerful and fierce fighter,” Groupe Yvon Michel president (GYM) Yvon Michel added.  “We are pleased to have found an opponent of this quality to face Alvarez in front of the Spike TV cameras.”
 
A new rival for Bouchard
Popular Sébastien Bouchard (13-1, 4 KOs), of Baie-Saint-Paul, Canada,  has a new opponent,Alejandro Herrera (14-3-2, 5 KOs), in a six-round bout.
 
Stevenson-Williams referee and judges announced
Names of the officials for the Stevenson vs. Williams main event fight have also been disclosed. The referee will be Michael Griffin (Quebec), the three ringside judges Richard DeCarufel(Quebec), Massimo Barrovecchio (Italy) and Juergen Langos (Germany), plus supervisor
Bob Logist (Belgium).
 
Two public training sessions were planned this weekend on Grande Allée Boulevard in Quebec City. The first, featuring Stevenson, took place today (Saturday) and tomorrow several undercard boxers will workout starting at 1 p.m. ET.
 
Tickets for the “SHOOTOUT” event, jointly promoted by GYM and Gestev and  presented by Vidéotron, in collaboration with Mise-O-Jeu, start at $50.00 and are on sale and available to purchase at www.ticketmaster.ca, the Videotron Centre Box Office, calling GYM at (514) 383-0666 andthe Champion Boxing club (514) 376-0980, or by dialing 1-855-790-1245
ABOUT GROUPE YVON MICHEL (GYM):  Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) was founded in 2004 by Yvon Michel and his associates. The organization’s mission is the development of high-level boxers through coaching support and especially by competitive management. To achieve its objectives, GYM actively recruits talent and organizes events. it is associated with the popular series, “Premier Boxing Champions (PBC),” and has developed major Videotron partnerships with Loto Quebec, TVA Sports, Centre Videotron, Casino de Montreal, Lac Leamy, Tonik GroupImage and Lapointe Dental Centre, in addition to collaborating closely with InterBox and Rixa.
ABOUT GESTEV
Festive, passionate, daring and creative, Gestev promises epic moments that you will remember for a long time. Gestev agrees to act as a catalyst of positive emotions and deliver experiences to meet your expectations. GESTEV manages the Videotron Centre which is a property of the city of Quebec.
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Orozco steps in to face Wilcox at “Next Generation” July 28

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July 28 poster with fighters.JPG
Toronto, Ontario, Canada (July 23, 2016) – Lee Baxter Promotions announced that hard-hitting Juan Orozco will face Steven Wilcox Thursday, July 28 in the eight round main event of the first ever “Next Generation” card at Danforth Music Hall in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
The “Next Generation” fight series by Lee Baxter Promotions provides a platform for boxers with championship aspirations. Most of the boxers fight out of Canada but some will trek from across the world to display their talents.
Living and fighting out of Zamora, Michoacan de Ocambo, Mexico, Orozco is 12-3-2 with 10 victories by knockout. A winner in four of his last five bouts with three of those wins by KO, Orozco stopped Camilo Fuentes July 16 in Mexico. He’ll also enter the ring as the naturally bigger man, fighting as heavy as 151 lbs.
One of Canada’s rising stars,Wilcox owns an outstanding 13-1-1 record and has 5 KO’s. Fighting out of Hamilton Ontario, Wilcox shutout Pedro Navarrete in March. Prior to his pro career, the 26-year-old had approximately 180 amateur fights and was a two-time Canadian lightweight champion.
“Both fighters deserve props for making this happen” said Lee Baxter. “Orozco is filling in on short notice for Jesus Singwancha, who withdrew after injuring his hand in training. On top of that, he just fought a few days ago. Wilcox also deserves credit for dealing with multiple opponent changes and going forward with no questions asked. On top of that, Orozco is a tough fighter and I’m expecting a very competitive fight.”
Tim “The Irish” Cronin, a cruiserweight from Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada looks to run his unbeaten streak to 9 fights when he challenges Kristof Demendei of Slovakia in a six round contest. Cronin, 7-1-1 (2 KO’s), has primarily fought in Ontario and hasn’t been defeated since his pro debut. Demendei, 10-1-2 (6 KO’s), fought all but one of his bouts in Slovakia and looks to rebound from a decision loss in June.
In undercard action, super middleweights newcomers Augistino D’Aluisio and Mike Miller will swap leather. Junior middleweight Mayron Zeferino will have his first fight versus Quebec’s Danyk Croteau. Monster heavyweight Mladen Mijas of Ontario makes his pro debut against 5-1 Slovakian David Vyletel. Each bout is scheduled for four rounds.
 
Sponsored by Everlast, Vonbets, Hardknocks Boxing Club & Labatts Brewery, tickets to the “Next Generation” are on sale now for $45, $55 and $65 by logging onto Ticketmaster.Ca. Doors open at 6:30 pm and the first fight is scheduled for 7:30.
boxing, ShoBox, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

ADAM LOPEZ & ROMAN REYNOSO FIGHT TO A DRAW IN MAIN EVENT OF 15th ANNIVERSARY TELECAST OF SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATIONFRIDAY ON SHOWTIME®

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Catch The Replay This Monday, July 25 At 10 p.m. ET/PT On SHOWTIME EXTREME®

 

Click HERE To Download Photos; Credit Rosie Cohe/SHOWTIME

 

MASHANTUCKET, Conn.  (July 23, 2016) – With a potential title shot on the line, Adam Lopez and Roman Reynoso fought to a 10-round draw in the main event of the 15-year anniversary telecast of ShoBox: The New Generation Friday on SHOWTIME® from Foxwoods Resort Casino.

 

In attendance ringside before the fight, newly crowned IBF Junior Featherweight World Champion Jonathan Guzman (22-0, 22 KOs) announced that he’d like fight the winner of Lopez-Reynoso, raising the stakes for this matchup of 122-pound prospects.  While the fight was close and entertaining, analyst Steve Farhood, who has called all 219ShoBox telecasts, didn’t believe either fighter did enough to earn an immediate title shot against Guzman.

 

The fight looked like a toss-up heading into the 10th – with Lopez leading by just one connect after nine rounds – and the Ronnie Shields pupil came up with a huge final round rally.  The undefeated prospect hurt Reynoso (18-1-2, 7 KOs) in the final seconds with a flurry of shots, forcing the Argentine spit out his mouthpiece to buy himself nearly 30 seconds of rest.  Seemingly out on his feet, Reynoso somehow survived the onslaught without falling to the canvas before the final bell.  Lopez (15-0-1, 7 KOs) out-landed Reynoso 34-21 overall and 34-20 in power shots in the final round, but it wasn’t enough to earn him the victory.

 

Judge Don Ackerman saw Lopez a 96-94 winner, while Bill Morande had it 97-93 Reynoso, and Peter Hary cast the deciding ballot at 95-95.  All three judges scored the last round 10-9 for Lopez.  Had Reynoso fell to the canvas in the final seconds, the 10-8 round would have given Lopez the win.

 

“It was a tough fight.  He didn’t want to engage,” said Lopez, who out-landed Reynoso 158-144 overall and 131-125 in power shots.  “He’s slick and experienced and a good fighter.  I feel that this was my best performance on ShoBox.  I have been working on new things with Ronnie Shields and it showed in there.  I know I hurt him in the last round.

 

“The decision was bullshit.  He could not hit me.”

 

“It was a close fight, but I feel I won,” Reynoso said.  “He never hurt me.  The only thing that surprised me is that he was more aggressive than in other fights.  I hurt my hand from hitting him.”

 

Late replacement Jerry Odom knocked out previously once-beaten Julius Jackson with a vicious third round knockout (1:57) in the ShoBoxco-feature.

 

Jackson (19-2, 15 KOs), the son of former two-division world champion Julian “The Hawk” Jackson, was outworking Odom through two rounds, who took the fight 10-days notice after Ronaldo Ellis suffered a hand injury.  That was until Washington, D.C.’s Odom (14-2-1, 13 KOs) clocked Jackson with a flush right counter shot with one minute left in the third, spelling the end for Jackson, who couldn’t beat the count and suffered his second consecutive knockout loss.

 

“I saw the right hand.  I was throwing combinations and I saw the opening and landed a good shot,” Odom said.  “As opposed to the last couple fights, I am in a great place physically, mentally and spiritually.  I have a great team around me.  We are unbreakable.”

 

“He threw the punch at the right time and caught me,” Jackson said.  “I was OK, but the referee stopped the fight.  I felt up until that point, I was boxing well and winning every round.”

 

Rolando Chinea won a close, eight-round split decision victory over O’Shaquie Foster (10-2, 7 KOs) in a matchup of lightweights, scored 79-73 (Chinea), 77-75 (Foster) and 78-74 (Chinea).

 

Chinea (13-1-1, 6 KOs) was the aggressor, dictating the tempo of the fight from the outset.  And while most rounds were extremely close – closer than the relatively wide scorecards – Chinea’s activity was the difference.  Chinea threw 733 total punches, compared to 641 for Foster, and he edged Foster by nearly 150 power punches (592-449).

 

“He is a hell of a fighter and it was fun to fight him,” said Chinea, who was largely able to minimize the jab, Foster’s best weapon. “Like I said before the fight, he could not take pressure.  I brought the pressure.  I blocked and slipped a lot of his punches.  My will and desire to win outweighed his will to punch.

 

“He did not take my pressure well.  I worked my shots well inside and that was a difference in the fight.”

 

Foster, who’s record fell to 10-2 with 7 KOs, complained that he “had distractions and couldn’t focus.”

 

In the opening bout of the telecast, Ian Green handed previously undefeated super welterweight prospect Khiary Gray the first loss of his career with a stunning second round TKO (2:50).

 

With former world champion and fellow Paterson, N.J., Kendall Holt in his corner, Green (10-1, 8 KOs) came from behind to floor Gray with a big right cross to the chin that sent him tumbling face-forward into the canvas.  Gray, a local favorite from nearby Worchester, Mass., tried to hold on with just 30 seconds left in the round, but he couldn’t make it to the break and was falling backward into the ropes when the referee halted the contest.

 

“I got him good, and I got him out of there,” said Green, who out-landed Gray 14-0 in the final minute.  “He got me good one time, but I kept my left hand up and hung in there.  We’re going all the way up.  This is just the start.”

 

Gray (13-1, 10 KOs), who was seemingly in control of the fight and rocking Green with ease, became the 151st fighter to suffer his initial defeat on the prospect developmental series.

 

“He just caught me,” Gray said.  “I don’t even know what punch it was. I didn’t even see it. I tried to hold on and waste some time, but I got caught again. I just need to get back to the gym and fix my mistakes. I’ll bounce back.”

 

Friday’s four-fight telecast will re-air this Monday at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME.

 

Barry Tompkins called the ShoBox action from ringside with Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer was Gordon Hall with Rich Gaughanproducing and Rick Phillips directing.

 

The event was promoted by GH3 Promotions in association with Classic Entertainment & Sports Inc. (CES) and Sampson Boxing.

 

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Team Shumenov petitions WBA to declare purse bid for mandatory title fight vs. Lebedev or strip Lebedev of his world cruiserweight title belt

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LAS VEGAS (July 22, 2016) – It has been more than a month since World Boxing Association (WBA) world cruiserweight champion Beibut Shumenov (16-2, 10 KOs), based on the much publicized WBA Cruiserweight Tournament rules and regulations, petitioned the WBA to either declare a purse bid for a title fight between WBA Super cruiserweight champion Denis Lebedev, or strip Lebedev of his title belt for being non-compliant.
Last July, Shumenov defeated B.J. Flores by way of a 12-round unanimous decision to become the WBA mandatory challenger for   Lebedev, who hasn’t fought a mandatory defense since April 10, 2015.
The WBA issued a resolution this past April that Lebedev, who defeated Victor Emelio Ramirez in May to also become International Boxing Federation cruiserweight champion, must fight Shumenov within 120 days of the latter’s May 21, 2016 knockout victory over Junior Wright.
On record for making changes to insure only one world champion in each division, incredibly, the WBA presently has 38 different world title belt holders in only 17 different weight classes.  Only three WBA divisions have one world champion – super lightweight, lightweight and light flyweight – and eight have three world titlists, including its cruiserweight division, which presently has world champions in Lebedev, Shumenov and Interim champion Yunier Dorticos, who is the WBA second mandatory challenger.
In an apparent public relations move, the WBA has suddenly declared this month a rash of mandatory defenses, however, declaring and actually making these title fights are two different things, as Shumenov has unfortunately learned.  The WBA should have ordered a Lebedev vs. Shumenov purse bid on June 21, 2016, when the two sides couldn’t come to an agreement, but the WBA failed to do so. When Shumenov repeated his request for a purse bid in June, the WBA failed once again to act.
WBA Rule D: Purse Bids
1. Call For Purse Bid. Bout participants shall reach an agreement on holding the bout no later than ninety (90) days before the expiration of the mandatory period. To confirm an agreement has been reached, the WBA must receive acceptable bout contracts signed by the boxers certifying they have reached terms for the bout. If no agreement has been reached, the Championships Committee, with the approval of the President, can call for Purse bid. A boxer may also request a purse bid at any time. 
 
Lebedev’s promoter, Andrei Ryabinsky, has been quoted in stories about having a deal in place for his fighter to defend his IBF title first.  In effect, the WBA is allowing Lebedev to hold the WBA Super cruiserweight title belt hostage, leveraging it against his IBF crown.  Shumenov, who is a former WBA Super light heavyweight champion, has now proudly worn the WBA belt around his waist for a total of nearly five years.
“I was looking forward to fighting Lebedev and I don’t understand his unwillingness and refusal to step in the ring with me,” Shumenov said.
Team Shumenov is extremely disappointed in the WBA’s failure to act on making the fight with Lebedev that it mandated, in addition to being discouraged by the WBA’s failure, after several requests had been made, to either set a purse bid date or strip Lebedev of his world title belt.  Not knowing if or when the WBA is finally going to rule has left Shumenov unable to book any fights. The WBA’s failure to enforce its own purse bid rule, or strip Lebedev, has unfairly prevented  Shumenov from earning a living while at the peak of his pro boxing career.
Shumenov is the only native Kazakh to be a two-division world champion.  Now a resident of Las Vegas, he also represented his native Kazakhstan at the 2004 Olympics in Greece.
Fans may friend Beibut Shumenov on his Facebook Fan Page at www.facebook.com/BeibutShumenov.
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IN ORDER TO MOVE FORWARD, MIKEY GARCIA FIRST GOES ALL THE WAY BACK

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Watch SHOWTIME Sports Original Digital Series: “THE REVEAL With Mark Kriegel: MIKEY GARCIA”

 

Photo Credit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

 

“There’s a lot more that I’m going to accomplish and there’s going to be a lot more things for him to be proud of.’’ – Mikey Garcia on his father and motivator, Eduardo

 

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Undefeated Two-Time World Champion Returns to the Ring Against Former Titleholder

Elio Rojas On Saturday, July 30, Live on SHOWTIME® at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT

 

 

On the eve of his long-awaited return to the ring, undefeated two-division world champion Mikey Garciatakes a stroll down memory lane in an enlightening and candid conversation with Sports Emmy® Award-Winning Writer Mark Kriegel. The 28-year-old Garcia openly reflects on his two-and-a-half year hiatus from boxing, the toll of his lengthy legal battle, and the humble family background that drives him to compete and strive for greatness.   Check out the latest installment of the SHOWTIME Sports® digital series “THE REVEAL with Mark Kriegel”, to get to know Garcia like never before as he embarks on the second chapter of his career. 

 

Garcia returns to face former world champion Elio Rojas in the co-main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® on Saturday, July 30, live on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. In a battle of unbeatens in the main event, undefeated Leo Santa Cruz will defend his WBA Featherweight World Championship against former 122-pound titlist, unbeaten Irish star Carl Frampton. 

 

# # #

 

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Cyclone Promotions and presented by Premier Boxing Champions, start at $38 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, www.barclayscenter.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.

 

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @LeoSantaCruz2, @RealCFrampton, @mikeygarcia, @PaulMalignaggi @BarclaysCenter, and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports, www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment,www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter. PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.