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JULIAN WILLIAMS VS. MARCELLO MATANO FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & PHOTOS

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Click HERE For Photos From Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME
 
BETHLEHEM, PA. (March 3, 2016) – Undefeated top contender Julian “J-Rock” Williams and Italy’sMarcello Matano went face-to-face for the first time Thursday at the final press conference before they meet with the IBF’s No. 1 spot at 154-pounds on the line this Saturday, March 5 live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT) from Sands Bethlehem Events Center in Bethlehem, Pa.
Saturday’s SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION® tripleheader features middleweight matchups between rising contender Antoine Douglas and Avtandil Khurtsidze and exciting Detroit prospect Tony Harrison against former title challenger Fernando Guerrero.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions, are priced at $100, $75 and $50, not including applicable service charges and taxes and are on sale now. Tickets are available HEREat www.ticketmaster.com. To charge by phone call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.
Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday:
JULIAN WILLIAMS
“I want to thank Matano and his team for coming all the way over here. We’ve had a difficult time getting opponents for different reasons, but I’m excited to headline this stacked card.
“When I win this fight I’ll be able to accomplish my dream of being a world champion. It’s one step closer.
“I’m going to attack the head and body as much as I can. I’ve got enough film on him to see what he’s got. He’s pretty solid. He got better each time out. But those guys in Italy don’t have the skills that I have. I think he’s going to bring it for as long as he can handle it.
“He’s an awkward fighter. He’s definitely a boxer and he can be a little skittish in the ring. I know I’ve fought the better competition and I’ve trained my hardest for this.
“I’m ready to make a statement. I’m not worried about a knockout. However the win comes, it’s great. I’m just looking to win and beat him down.
“I’m expecting a good Philadelphia crowd to be out here supporting me. Ninety percent of my career I’ve been on the West Coast and other places. But now fighting in front of my hometown fans, there’s nothing better. It’s perfect.”
MARCELLO MATANO
“I feel very good. I’ve been here since Friday so I have gotten used to the time zone difference and I’m ready to fight. My American experience is just starting and I’m looking forward to it.
“It’s been a hard two months of training for this fight. This is by far the most important fight of my career so I’ve trained even harder than I usually do.
“I know that Julian Williams is a top-notch athlete and that he is coming to give his best, just like I am. It’s going to be an exciting fight because we both want to get to the top.
“I can adapt myself to any opponent. I can be a boxer or I can be a brawler. But in my heart, I am a warrior and I will come forward all fight. I am coming to leave that ring victorious.
“This is a dream come true to come here to the United States. I’ve always worked hard and it’s gotten me here. I will put all of my heart into the ring on Saturday night.”
ANTOINE DOUGLAS
“You can always look forward to an action-packed fight when I step into the ring. I have an admirable opponent who I know is coming to fight.
“I’ve grown into this role and into who I am. If you asked me earlier in my career, I would have never thought I’d be here. This is great and it comes from all the hard work I’ve put in over the years.
“You will see my growth Saturday night in the ring. I plan on being victorious. The work I put in won’t let me be any less than that. I’m looking forward to the action.
“I have a very strong opponent and I think it will make for a more exciting fight than Sam Soliman.
“I just always have to be prepared for whatever is thrown at me.  This is boxing – there are no guarantees.  We just have to be prepared for everything and do our best.
“The styles of Soliman and Khurtsidze are completely different, but we always base our offense and defense off a fighting at range and working the jab.  I’m not going in blind – I’ve faced opponents who come forward.  We’ll be ready for him and ready to make the adjustments in the ring.
“A win on Saturday will definitely put me in a position for a title shot.  We just take it day-by-day.  It’s not about looking at future opponents. We take each step successfully and see where it puts us.”
AVTANDIL KHURTSIDZE
“I’m very happy to be here and I’m grateful for the opportunity. I’m fighting a very strong fighter. Once I step into the ring I’m expecting a good challenge and I can’t wait for Saturday night.
“Everything in training went well. We’ve trained really hard and we’re ready for Saturday night.
“Douglas is a good fighter. He’s a good boxer and he has a good left hook. But none of that means anything until you get in the ring.
“Once I step into the ring, I will bring 100 percent. I am not going to stop swinging until Douglas goes down.”
FERNANDO GUERRERO
“We’re ready to fight. We had a great training camp and there’s not too much to say. It’s warrior time.
“I’ve been through my ups and downs, but I’m still here and I’m not going anywhere. This is for my whole nation, everyone in the Dominican Republic who is watching. You have to step in that ring for something.
“This isn’t a game. This is the only sport that you cannot play. I’m going to make this one of those fights that will be one of the best of the year. It will either be the best knockout or the best fight of the year. This is going to be memorable.
“This is the kind of opponent who will bring out the best of me. Everybody has to watch out for me. I’m coming to make a statement on Saturday.”
# # #
For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports and www.sandseventcenter.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @JRockBoxing, @Action_Douglas,  @IAmBoxing, @FernandoDomini, @TheSBEC and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports
boxing

Chuy Gutierrez & Leon Spinks III: You will know my name!

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 Judah vs. Torres headlines “Knockout Night at the D”
 Mar. 12 live on CBS Sports Network from DLVEC in Las Vegas 
LAS VEGAS (March 3, 2016) – Rising star lightweight star Chuy “El Huracan” Gutierrez(14-0-1, 4 KOs) and his March 12th opponent, Leon “The Third Generation” Spinks III(11-3-1, 7 KOs), are both looking to make their own mark in their 8-round “Knockout Night at the D” co-feature.  Gutierrez is seeking to expand his marquee on a national level, while Spinks attempts to  shine on his own terms despite his spotlight catching last name.
Five-time, two division world champion Zab “Super” Judah (42-9, 29 KOs) takes onJosh “Pitbull” Torres (15-4-2, 7 KOs), in the 10-round main event of the inaugural show of the new monthly pro boxing series, “Knockout Night at the D”, airing (8 p.m. PT / 11 p.m. ET) live on CBS Sports Network from the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center (DLVEC).
Presented by the D Las Vegas and promoted Englebrecht Promotions, the “Knockout Night at the D” series’ inaugural event Mar. 12 will take place inside the DLVEC’s 20,000-square-foot tent, located in the heart of the downtown Las Vegas casino district, one block away from the world famous Fremont Street (200 S. 3rd St.).
The 27-year-old Gutierrez (14-0-1, 4 KOs), fighting out of Las Vegas, is ready to make a name for himself and Mar. 12th is scheduled to be his coming out party on a national stage.  He’s rapidly become a fan favorite in Las Vegas because of his exciting, aggressive style of fighting. Chuy’s ready to spread his wings, now being showcased fighting on national television, and expand his growing fan-base.
Born in the fertile boxing town of Sinaloa, Mexico, which produced Hall of Famer Julio Cesar Chavez, Sr., among many others, Gutierrez is making up for lost time.  He was a baseball prospect who didn’t box until he was 21. “I played sports in high school, baseball was my first love, and I dreamed of becoming a big leaguer,” Gutierrez said.  “Boxing found me.  I was attending college at Southern Nevada and working, but the first day I walked into Johnny Tocco’s gym, I fell in love with boxing.  I’ve watched so many greats train there and I learned a lot from them.”
“I have a lot of respect for Spinks, but I’m just fighting the man, not his family.  His grandfather was world champion, but I’m not fighting his grandfather.  I’m excited to be fighting him on CBS Sports Network.”
Spinks (11-3-1, 7 KOs), who fights out of Huntington Beach, CA, is not only the grandson of former world heavyweight champion and 1976 Olympic gold medalist, “Neon” Leon Spinks, his great uncle is world light heavyweight and heavyweight champion, in addition to being a 1976 Olympic gold medalist, Michael Spinks.  And young Leon, who turned 28 this past Valentine’s Day, is also the nephew of former 2-division world champion Cory Spinks.
His familiar last name in boxing has been a blessing, albeit one that has also put a lot of pressure on Leon.  “Things have always been that way (pressure) because I’m named after my grandfather, ‘Pops,'” Leon III explained.  “From the beginning of my pro career, I was put in tough fights because of my name, just tough fights…real wars.
“I got to 8-0 but that hurt me because I couldn’t get good fights. But I’ve always really been my own man.   This is a very, very, very big event for me, my family will be in the house supporting me.”
All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Limited tickets, priced at $65.00 ringside and $20.00 seated general admission, remain on sale at www.Ticketmaster.com or www.DLVEC.com. Suites are $1000.00, up to 10 guests, and includes a beverage package.  Taxes and fees apply to all sold tickets.
Doors open at 5:00 p.m. PT with the opening bout scheduled at 6:00 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 to www.cbssportsnetwork.com.
TITLE Boxing is the official apparel and gloves partner for the “Knockout Night at the D” series.
 
INFORMATION
Twitter: @thedlasvegas, @dlvec, @DerekJStevens
Instagram: @dlvec, @thedlasvegas
Follow these fighters on Twitter: @SuperJudah, @PitbullTorres, @ElHuracan88, @LeonSpinksIII.
boxing

Ricky Hatton: “Browne winning the Heavyweight title would be huge for my company”

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Undefeated Lucas Browne to Collide with Ruslan Chagaev for the WBA World Heavyweight Title LIVE This Saturday on AWE at 2 PM ET
 

San Diego, CA – March 3, 2016 – This Saturday afternoon, March 5th, undefeated and number-two ranked WBA heavyweight contender Lucas “Big Daddy” Browne(23-0-0) will battle defending WBA World Heavyweight champ Ruslan Chagaev (34-2-1) for his belt. The bout will be broadcast LIVE in the United States on AWE – A Wealth of Entertainment.
The action begins live at 2 PM ET / 11 AM PT.
Browne is promoted by former two-division world champion and British Idol, Ricky Hatton and the Manchester great has a lot on the line this Saturday if Browne can come through with the victory.
“It would be massive for my company, very significant,”said Hatton.  “Lucas would be my first world champion as a promoter, and it’s fantastic that it would be a Heavyweight title.  I was a two-time world champion as a fighter.  I have trained a world champion, so I don’t know many people who have done all three as a trainer, fighter and a promoter. “
To have Browne in this position, the fighter turned promoter, is thrilled for his fighter, being that Browne was not sought after in his early career.
“I am very happy for Lucas.  He came up the hard way.  He was not an Olympian.  In fact, it was just a few years ago, that he was working doors at the night clubs and he has put in the hard work and this is a big night for me and my company.”
Despite the fight being in enemy territory, “The Hitman”, feels his fighter is in good hands as Browne is being trained by former super middleweight world champion and British great, Nigel Benn.
“He has a great team behind him.  An excellent trainer.  It is going to be a tough job, but I firmly believe that he will win the fight.  It will be difficult as Chagaev was a big amateur and now a world champion.  Lucas who has always been known as a puncher is moving a lot better on his feet.  Very fluid.  Lucas has also added speed and has had great preparation.”
Being in enemy territory, Hatton knows that the fight may come down to the judges, and he believes that Browne will get a fair shake.
“I would like to think that Lucas will not need a knockout to win, but judges can be swayed by the hometown fans, but this being a world title fight, I expect world class judges.  That being said, Lucas should not leave it to chance.”
With a Browne win, there is a chance a good portion heavyweight division would run through the United Kingdom as Unified  champion Tyson Fury and potentially Anthony Joshua (who fights IBF champion Charles Martin on April 9) would hold most of the hardware in boxing’s glamour division.
“I thought about that.  I get along well with Eddie Hearn, who has Joshua.  I get a long great with my former promoter Frank Warren and you can also throw David Haye in there who is back.  I can’t see any problems making fights with Joshua or Fury and we would have some massive heavyweights fights here.  Lucas has fought five times here and has a good fan base.”
“The only thing that I am gutted about on Saturday is that I can’t be there with Lucas when he wins as I train a lot of young fighters and I have four of them fighting on Saturday and they need me in London with them, but Saturday will be a great day for my company.”
There will be a three fight undercard beginning at 2 PM.
In a 10-round Heavyweight bout, Edmund Gerber (25-2, 16 KO’s) of Schwerin, Germany will fight Brian Minto (41-10, 26 KO’s) of Butler, PA.
In a 10-round bout for the IBO International Welterweight title, Vishkahn Murzabekov (12-0, 6 KO’s) of Russia takes on former world title challenger Ali Funeka (37-5-3, 30 KO’s) of South Africa.
Tyrone Spong (2-0, 2 KO’s) of Miami, Florida battles David Gogishvilli (12-0, 8 Ko’s) of Gori, Georgia in a 6-round Cruiserweight bout.
Boxing fans can enjoy this amazing card on AWE available on AT&T U-Verse, ch 147 and 1147 in HD, Verizon FiOS TV, ch 169 and 669 in HD, CenturyLink PRISM TV ch. 144 and 1144 in HD, and numerous regional cable providers across the nation. Please check www.awetv.com for boxing updates.
boxing, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

GH3 Promotions Antoine Douglas ready for big performance on Saturday night

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Nutley, NJ (March 3, 2016) – This Saturday night at the Sands Bethlehem Events Center, undefeated Middleweight Antoine Douglas (19-0-1, 13 KO’s) will face the toughest test of his career when he takes on rugged Avtandil Khurtsidze in the co-feature bout of a SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION®.
This fight is the continuing process of Douglas’ promoter GH3 Promotions, which has groomed the Washington, D.C. native from his first professional bout.
Douglas set the model for what GH3 Promotions is all about and that is grass roots developing.
“I am so proud of Antoine and the job he has done,”said GH3 Promotions CEO Vito Mielnicki.  “When I started this company, I wanted to sign very good fighters with solid amateur backgrounds.  Antoine was the someone I coveted and I saw this vision for him and now the fight on Saturday is the perfect next step for him.  When he wins on Saturday and I feel he will be ready for a big opportunity.”
Mielnicki continued, “That’s the blueprint.  Develop fighters on my local shows.  Fighters like Antoine and now Adam Lopez (15-0, 7 KO’s) graduated to ShoBox main event status and then to the next level.  We had John Thompson (17-2, 6 KO’s fight for a world title, We have high aspirations for O’Shaquie Foster (10-1, 7 KO’s), Jerry Odom (13-2-1, 12 KO’s) Ronald Ellis (12-0-1, 10 KO’s) , Keenan Smith (9-0, 3 KO’s) and Hector Frometa (2-0).”
Lopez, stayed undefeated by winning a comfortable unanimous decision over previously  Mario Munoz on February 19th in Atlantic City that headlined a ShoBox: The New Generation card..
Odom and Ellis fought to a spirited draw in a Super Middleweight bout.  On another televised bout, Foster was dominant in stopping Lavisas Williams.  On the non-televised card, Hector Frometa went to 2-0 with a unanimous decision victory.
“We feel that Lopez needs another fight or two against good opposition to get to where Antoine is now.  Foster showed that he has a chance to be a special fighter and we love the potential of Frometa.”
“Foster is now trained by Dennis Porter & Ronald Sims, who also handle Antoine and it was evident in their first fight together the difference that they have already made on him.”
Douglas is currently ranked number-six by the WBA, number-eleven by the IBF and number-three by the WBO, while Lopez is ranked number-seven by the WBA.
“This is all a product of moving our guys fast and right and by not babying them on the way up.”
GH3 Promotions features undefeated Middleweight Antoine Douglas, Super Middleweight’s Jerry Odom & Ronald Ellis, undefeated Super Bantamweight Adam Lopez as well as Boxcino 2015 Jr. Middleweight Champion John Thompson, Jr., undefeated Welterweight’s Hector Frometa, Jerrell Harris & Keenan Smith, , Jr. Lightweight O’Shaquie Foster & Super Middleweight Andrew Hernandez to the GH3 Promotions stable.
boxing, Roc Nation

John David Jackson’s Star Pupil Luis “Cuba”Arias Ready for His First Headlining Bout

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Undefeated Middleweight headlines this Saturdaynight in Columbus, Ohio.
For Immediate Release
NEW YORK, NY (March 3, 2016)–This Saturday night in Columbus, Ohio,
Victory Sports & Entertainment is pleased to announce that undefeated middleweight prospect, Luis “Cuba” Arias will make the first in what we hope, are many headlining appearances when he takes on power punching Gilberto Santos of Brazil in a bout scheduled for ten rounds under the direction of world class trainer, John David Jackson.

Arias of Milwaukee, Wisconsin has a perfect record of 13-0 with six knockouts.

“Camp has been excellent. Things have been coming together nicely and on time. I get better and stronger every camp,” Said Arias.  “I am not overlooking Santos as he’s a strong fighter who’s coming to win but this is my time and I want to make a statement in my first headliner.”

“Training with John David Jackson has been a great. Having someone with his level of experience has helped me develop as a fighter. He has helped take my game to another level. Him and Derik Santos have been a great fit for me. I feel I have the best training team in boxing.”

The 25 year-old came into the pro ranks with high aspirations after a stellar amateur career that saw him win two US National Championships and a National PAL title, in addition to numerous medals on the international level.
In Jackson, he has a trainer who has trained many world champions and is currently one of the hot cornermen in boxing due to his work with current Light Heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev.

“Luis has had a great camp he’s strong and on weight. He’s ready for his first headlining bout and wants to showcase his talent and show people that he’s the real deal,”said Jackson of his prized pupil,” said Jackson.

“For this camp we are stressing the body attack. Luis is a good boxer with excellent skills and power. We are trying to develop his all-around game so we are focusing more on working the body for this fight.”

Jackson does not feel Cuba Arias is just any boxer. He sees major things in the future for him.
“Luis has the potential to become a World Champion. He was a tremendous amateur, he’s tough, determined with excellent power and great all around skills. 2016 should be his breakout year. He has the skills and needs to be showcased on a bigger stage. It’s time to take the wraps off and let him prove himself. He can fight, he gets better each time out, he wants to test himself in bigger fights and is ready for the challenge.”

“After this fight, I want a real test for Luis, a good name fighter where he can be challenged and have to work. I know he can be great and will rise to the occasion so I just want him to get the opportunity to showcase his skills and show everyone what a great fighter he is.”
Arias, who is promoted by Roc Nation Sports and managed my Victory Sports & Entertainment, now has the complete team in place with the addition of the world class trainer.
Said Victory Sports & Entertainment’s Rick Torres, “2016 is the year where Cuba has to step up the level of competition and show everyone how great he is. This is his first headlining bout which is a big deal for him and we know Santos is a dangerous opponent with real punching power so this should be a good test for Cuba.  After this fight we are looking forward to Roc Nation putting him on higher profile fights, TV fights where the world can see what we already know – that he’s one of the best young fighters in the world and a future Champion. With the right development Cuba can become a star attraction in the sport and we know Roc Nation can make this happen. We just want the opportunity and Cuba will handle the rest.”

Victory Sports & Entertainment is an athlete management company with offices in New York and Las Vegas. Founded by noted sports attorney Rick Torres and boxing trainer Michael Leanardi, Victory has steadily built an impressive stable of young prospects that it is grooming for future stardom. Victory Sports’ website is www.victorysportsent.com.
boxing

Pay-Per-View Rights Secured for Adamek-Molina in US and Canada for Apr. 2 Showdown in Poland

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Tomasz “Goral” Adamek
Photo by Rich Graessle / Main Events
Kraków, Poland (April 2, 2016) — The upcoming heavyweight showdown between former light heavyweight and cruiserweight world champion Tomasz “Goral” Adamek (50-4, 30 KOs) of Poland and Eric “Drummer Boy” Molina (24-3, 18 KOs) Raymondville, Texas in Kraków on Apr. 2 at the Kraków Arena for the IBF Intercontinental Heavyweight Title will be distributed in North America by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 2 pm ET/11 am PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view.
In addition to the live pay-per-view telecast in Poland as part of Polsat’s Boxing Night series, North American residents will be able to purchase the fight for pay-per-view on via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH Network, and Vubiquity in the United States, as well as Rogers TV and SaskTel in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.
Please contact your local cable or satellite provider for more information. This event is presented by Polsat, Main Events and Don King Productions.
The pay-per-view telecast will also include several key undercard bouts: a 10-round cruiserweight fight between Mateusz Masternak vs. Eric Fields, a 10-round cruiserweight fight between Michael Cieslak vs. Francisco Palacios and additional bouts still to be determined.
Kathy Duva, CEO of Main Events, Adamek’s promoter said, “Every time Tomasz fights back home in Poland we get numerous requests from his American fans who wish to watch the fight here. We are so excited to be able to provide them with an opportunity to watch this exciting fight here in the US.”
All bouts are subject to change.
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A LEGENDARY MARCH THROUGH THE DECADES – SHOWTIME SPORTS® CONTINUES CELEBRATION OF 30 YEARS OF SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®

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Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns, Felix Trinidad, Ricardo Lopez, George Foreman & More Showcased In March

 

Click HERE For A Look Back At Some Of The Legendary Moments On SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING: http://s.sho.com/1RkA3CE

 

NEW YORK (March 2, 2016) – SHOWTIME Sports rolls out its third installment of a year-long salute commemorating 30 years of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING in March with  “Legends’’.

 

This month will be highlighted by legends Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Felix Trinidad, Ricardo “Finito” Lopez and George Foreman.  Seven of the most unforgettable and important fights from these legends – some of which have seldom been re-aired since their live presentation – are available now on the network’s on demand platforms and will air will air on “Throwback Thursdays”in March at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME.

 

The Thursday, March 10 presentation of Marvin Hagler vs. John Mugabi airs exactly 30 years after the final win of Hagler’s Hall of Fame career on March 10, 1986.  Hagler vs. Mugabi was the first main event to ever air on SHOWTIME®.

 

The classic fights, which are also are available on SHOWTIME ON DEMAND®, SHOWTIME ANYTIME® and via the network’s standalone streaming service, will be wrapped with brief context and commentary from SHOWTIME Sports host Brian Custer.

 

Below is the schedule of SHO EXTREME premieres for the month of March:

  • Tomorrow, Thursday, March 3: Terry Norris vs. Sugar Ray Leonard
  • Thursday, March 10: Marvin Hagler vs. John Mugabi
  • Thursday, March 17: Felix Trinidad vs. David Reid
  • Thursday, March 24: Ricardo Lopez vs. Rosendo Alvarez II
  • Thursday, March 31: Iran Barkley vs. Thomas Hearns I, George Foreman vs. Gerry Cooney (10:15 p.m. ET/PT), Gerald McClellan vs. Julian Jackson I (10:30 p.m. ET/PT)

 

In celebration of the best rivalries on SHOWTIME, see below for a special column from SHOWTIME Sports expert analyst and boxing historian Steve Farhood.

 

LEGENDS

By Steve Farhood

 

Boxing without legends would be like religion without saints.

 

There’s no formula for a fighter to advance from star to superstar to legend. The process depends on timing, circumstance, and sometimes as little as a point or two on the judges’ cards.

 

And oh, yeah: It helps if a guy can really fight.

 

As we celebrate 30 years of boxing on SHOWTIME, we’re focusing on a different theme each month. Throughout March, the theme will be Legends.

 

In the 130 years from John L. Sullivan to Floyd Mayweather, boxing has given us what other sports can’t provide. Consider:

 

  • The Associated Press voted Luis Firpo’s knockdown of Jack Dempsey as the greatest sports moment of the first half of the 20th Century.
  • The Frazier-Ali “Fight Of The Century” in 1971 was easily the most anticipated sporting event in history.
  • Last year’s Mayweather-Pacquiao fight generated more than half-a-billion dollars — in one night!

 

Legends are made by big moments … and how they respond to those moments.

 

On SHOWTIME, we’ve featured three decades worth of legends. Here’s a look at those who will share the spotlight in March.

 

MARVIN HAGLER: Since Vince Lombardi didn’t exactly say, “Timing isn’t everything, it’s the only thing,” Hagler should’ve said it.

 

Hagler was a great fighter long before he was a superstar, but it wasn’t until he fought Roberto Duran, Thomas Hearns, and Sugar Ray Leonard (three of Hagler’s last six bouts) that Marvin became Marvelous.

 

Hagler’s one appearance on SHOWTIME, which happened to be the first bout televised on the network (March 1986), was the final win of his career. Undefeated over 10 years, Hagler had established himself as one of the greatest middleweights in history. And while it could be argued in hindsight that at age 31, the ultimate blue-collar fighter was slightly past his prime, much of what made Hagler special was on display during his savage defense against his unbeaten and ferocious challenger, John Mugabi.

 

Almost three decades after his retirement, Hagler remains the middleweight today’s 160-pounders are measured against.

 

SUGAR RAY LEONARD: If Hagler bloomed late, Leonard was a superstar before he threw a single punch as a professional.

 

Back in the mid-‘70s, that’s what a magnetic smile, an Olympic gold medal, and repeated exposure on prime time television could do for a young fighter.

 

It’s ironic that Leonard was initially viewed by some as a coddled creation of the media. In fact, he was as tough as any fighter of the star-studded early-‘80s. Better yet, he remains the best fighter I’ve covered in 38 years on the boxing beat.

 

Leonard’s appearance on SHOWTIME was the penultimate bout of his career. In electing to end yet another lengthy layoff, Sugar Ray, 34, chose outstanding 23-year-old super welterweight titlist Terry Norris as his opponent. Leonard dropped from 160 to 154 pounds and fought at Madison Square Garden for the first time.

 

The bout served as a reminder that at least in a pre-Bernard Hopkins world, boxing was very much a young man’s game.

 

FELIX TRINIDAD: There are only three Hispanic fighters who became superstars in the USA without speaking English. The first was Panama’s Roberto Duran. The second was Mexico’s Julio Cesar Chavez.

 

The third was Puerto Rico’s Trinidad.

 

Trinidad’s motto might as well have been, “If you can’t be from America, then beat America.”

 

A classic puncher with a boy scout’s smile and a fan-friendly personality, Trinidad made his name by defeating four U.S. Olympians, Pernell Whitaker, Oscar De La Hoya (albeit by a terrible decision), David Reid, and Fernando Vargas.

 

Moreover, Whitaker, De La Hoya, and Reid had all been gold medalists.

 

The fight we’ll feature on March 17 on SHO EXTREME, Trinidad vs. Reid, was Trinidad’s 14th and final appearance on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING and SHOWTIME pay-per-view.

 

From his welterweight title-winning kayo of Maurice Blocker in 1993 through his defense against Mahenge Zulu in 1998, 13 of Trinidad’s 14 bouts were aired on SHOWTIME. Twelve of those fights were knockout wins.

 

Where Trinidad ranks with Wilfredo Gomez, Miguel Cotto, Carlos Ortiz, Wilfred Benitez, and the rest of the legends from Puerto Rico is debatable. What is inarguable is that “Tito” generated as much excitement as any fighter of his era.

 

RICARDO LOPEZ: What’s smaller: the chance that a strawweight (105 pounds) becomes an American television star or the fighter himself?

 

There’s never been an American world champion at strawweight (or minimumweight). We just don’t grow fighters that size. In fact, until the emergence of Mexico’s Lopez in the early-’90s, most American boxing fans couldn’t have identified a single strawweight if armed with a map of the world and a set of WBC ratings.

 

Lopez was so complete, so dominant, so technically perfect, that from 1994 to ’99, he was a staple of SHOWTIME’s boxing programming. He fought 13 consecutive bouts on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING or SHOWTIME Pay-Per-View, and the first 11 of those contests were defenses of the strawweight title.

 

And if you think the little guys can’t punch, well, there were some one-punch kayos sprinkled in.

 

Lopez, who retired with a mark of 51-0-1, is universally acknowledged as an all-time great. Too bad he never fought America’s Michael Carbajal at light flyweight. Had he won that bout, he’d likely be acknowledged as one of the two or three greatest Mexican fighters ever.

 

Which is saying a lot for a fighter who never faced an opponent recognized by the American viewing public.

# # #

 

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX®, and also offers SHOWTIME ON DEMAND®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ ON DEMAND and FLIX ON DEMAND®, and the network’s authentication service SHOWTIME ANYTIME®. Showtime Digital Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of SNI, operates the stand-alone streaming service SHOWTIME®. SHOWTIME is currently available to subscribers via cable, DBS and telco providers, and as a stand-alone streaming service through Apple®, Roku®, Amazon and Google. Consumers can also subscribe to SHOWTIME via Hulu, Sony PlayStation® Vue and Amazon Prime Video. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks™, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution, which offers Smithsonian Channel™, and offers Smithsonian Earth™through SN Digital LLC. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV. For more information, go to www.SHO.com.

boxing, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

JULIAN WILLIAMS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES & PHOTOS

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WILLIAMS FACES MARCELLO MATANO IN SUPER WELTERWEIGHT TITLE ELIMINATOR THIS SATURDAY LIVE ON SHOWTIME® FROM SANDS BETHLEHEM EVENTS CENTER
IN BETHLEHEM, PA.
 
Click HERE For Photos: Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME
 
Click HERE For A Short Video Feature On Julian Williams: http://s.sho.com/21HzF8I
 
Philadelphia, Pa. (March 2, 2016) – Julian “J-Rock” Williams (21-0-1, 13 KOs) held a media workout on Tuesday in Philadelphia at James Shuler Boxing Gym as he prepares to put his undefeated record on the line in a 154-pound world title eliminator this Saturday, March 5, live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).
The SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION® main event pits Williams against Italy’s Marcello Matano(16-1, 5 KOs) as part of a tripleheader live from Sands Bethlehem Events Center in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
Also featured on the telecast will be middleweight contender Antoine Douglas (19-0-1, 13 KOs) facing off against Avtandil Khurtsidze (31-2, 20 KOs)in a 10-round middleweight bout and exciting Detroit prospect Tony Harrison (22-1, 18 KOs) battling former title challenger Fernando Guerrero (28-3, 20 KOs) in a 10-round super welterweight matchup.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions, are priced at $100, $75 and $50, not including applicable service charges and taxes and are on sale now. Tickets are available HEREat www.ticketmaster.com. To charge by phone call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.
Here is what Julian and his trainer, Stephen Edwards, had to say Tuesday:
 
JULIAN WILLIAMS
“I am extremely focused.  There is a lot at stake this Saturday.  I am finally in the position I wanted to be in since turning pro.
“I have come to a conclusion that if people don’t have to fight Julian Williams then they won’t.  It hasn’t been that frustrating though because I always have a fight on the books.  I can’t worry about the people who won’t fight me. I just have to stay ready and put myself in the mandatory spot. That’s what I am going to do on Saturday night.
“It’s never any challenge fighting at home.  I know exactly what I have to do. I don’t cut any corners in camp.  The biggest challenge is the waiting because I am so anxious to get in there and get a win, especially in front of my home crowd.
“I always knew I wanted to pursue a boxing career, so I treat it like I want it. I’ve been dreaming about this for a long time and my opportunity is finally here.
“I’ve been a student of the game since I started watching boxing. I want to learn and I want to know everything about boxing.
“It means everything to have my biggest fight to date in my backyard. I know my fans cheer loud and it feels great to have their support in my corner.
“I know everything about my opponent. I probably know what kind of toothpaste he used this morning. I searched high and low for videos of Matano. I am ready because I know he is ready.
“He is a little bit awkward. He seems to have a really good gas tank.  He said he wants to take me the distance, so we’ll see.
“The last fight solidified the things that I already knew about myself. I know I am fundamentally sound and I know I am the hungriest fighter in the world.
“I always want to put on an explosive performance. It’s always about a win.
“In about nine months, Philadelphia will have it’s fourth IBF super welterweight champion after David Reid, Robert Hines and Buster Drayton.”
STEPHEN EDWARDS, Williams’ trainer
“We are ready. It’s been a long four-month camp. We thought were going to fight in January, so we’ve been grinding through this rough weather early in the morning.  Julian is chomping at the bit and ready to rock ‘n roll.
“We thought we were going to fight Austin Trout in December, and he saw that Julian gave his opponent a concussion and said I don’t want to fight him. It’s just that simple.  We have to get past Matano and then we can talk about (super welterweight champion Jermall) Charlo.
“Anybody with two hands and a heartbeat can fight. Matano is ranked and just because he isn’t well known, it doesn’t mean he can’t fight. He is 16-1 and they didn’t have a hard time convincing him to take the fight. The best soldiers are volunteers. Any time someone willingly comes to someone else’s country, you have to take him seriously.
“I don’t want to make a prediction, but Julian will hurt this guy very bad.”
# # #
For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports and www.sandseventcenter.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @JRockBoxing, @Action_Douglas,  @IAmBoxing, @FernandoDomini, @TheSBEC and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports
boxing, Las Vegas

Zab Judah fighting to become 6-time world champion

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Josh Torres looking for upset to
Make name for himself & NM boxers
 
 “Knockout Night at the D”, Mar. 12 at DLVEC in Las Vegas
Live on CBS Sports Network 
LAS VEGAS (March 1, 2016) – Future Hall of Fame candidate Zab “Super” Judah is fighting for his legacy.  His road back to the top starts Saturday night,March 12, against upset-minded Josh “Pitbull” Torres, in the 10-round main event kicking off the new monthly pro boxing series, “Knockout Night at the D”, airing live (8 p.m. PT / 11 p.m. ET) on CBS Sports Network live from the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center (DLVEC).
Presented by the D Las Vegas and Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, along with Neon Star Media and Roy Englebrecht Promotions, the “Knockout Night at the D” series’ inaugural event Mar. 12 will take place inside the DLVEC’s 20,000-square-foot tent, located in the heart of the downtown Las Vegas casino district, one block away from the world famous Fremont Street (200 S. 3rd St.).
Judah (42-9, 29 KOs), fighting out of Las Vegas, has been a professional boxer for nearly 20 years.  The southpaw has defeated seven world champions during his outstanding career: Junior Witter, Terron Millet, DeMarcus Corley, Raphael Pineda, Corey Spinks, Joshua Clottey and(interim champ) Lucas Matthysse.  The Brooklyn native has an outstanding 11-8 (9 KOs) record in world title fights.
Now, though, his past is in the rearview mirror and Judah’s on a mission to capture his sixth world title. That’s what drives the 38-year-old originally from Brooklyn.  “I’m very happy to be headlining the first show of the ‘Knockout Night at the D’ series,” Judah said.  “I’m always comfortable and happy in the squared ring.  I enjoy the sport of boxing and have one more goal…to be six-time world champion of the world!”
Due to a variety of reasons, Judah has been out of action for two years, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he hasn’t been ready to rock in the ring.  “I’m very excited to be back in the ring,” Judah remarked.  “I helped Floyd (Mayweather) get ready for (Manny)Pacquiao and last May came out of that camp in great shape.  I’ve been ready to fight since then.
“I’ve studied him (Torres) and he’s a hungry, young guy with a great opportunity in front of him. We aren’t overlooking him.”
The 24-year-old Torres (15-4-2, 7 KOs) may not have the same name recognition as many of Judah’s past opponents, but the determined prospect from Albuquerque, NM has nothing to lose and everything to gain fighting Judah.
“I believe this fight can be life changing, not only for me, but also for upcoming New Mexico fighters,” Torres commented.  “Boxing doesn’t get a lot of attention in my state.”
Torres is a protégé of the late 5-time world championJohnny Tapia. His brother-in-law, Chris Chavez, now trains Torres, who has been sparring with fellow New Mexican and former world junior middleweight champion, Austin Trout, to prepare for the left-handed Judah.
Torres is also a professional barber who’d like to clip Judah, so to speak.  “I haven’t had a promoter or manager,” he explained the need for him to be a barber as well as a pro boxer.  “I’ve always had to work to pay bills.  It’s just had to be that way in my boxing career.”
Fast rising Las Vegas lightweight star, Mexico-born Chuy “El Huracan” Gutierrez (14-0-1, 4 KOs), meets Leon “The Third Generation” Spinks III (11-3-1, 7 KOs) in the 8-round co-feature.
All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Limited tickets, priced at $65.00 ringside and $20.00 seated general admission, remain on sale at www.Ticketmaster.com or www.DLVEC.com. Suites are $1000.00, up to 10 guests, and includes a beverage package.  Taxes and fees apply to all sold tickets.
Doors open at 5:00 p.m. PT with the opening bout scheduled at 6:00 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 to www.cbssportsnetwork.com.
TITLE Boxing is the official apparel and gloves partner for the “Knockout Night at the D” series.
INFORMATION
Twitter: @thedlasvegas, @dlvec, @DerekJStevens
Instagram: @dlvec, @thedlasvegas
Follow these fighters on Twitter: @SuperJudah, @PitbullTorres, @ElHuracan88, @LeonSpinksIII
boxing, Showtime Boxing

UNBEATEN MIDDLEWEIGHT PROSPECT IEVGEN KHYTROV TAKES ON KENNETH MCNEIL IN UNDERCARD ACTION THIS SATURDAY, MARCH 5 FROM  SANDS BETHLEHEM EVENTS CENTER IN BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA

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Plus! Heavyweight Battle Between Philadelphia’s Joey Dawejko and
Ecuadorian Olympian Ytalo Perea
 
Exciting Night Of Fights Features SHOWTIME® Tripleheader Headlined
By Unbeaten Rising Star Julian Williams Taking On Marcello Matano
In IBF Super Welterweight Eliminator
 
BETHLEHEM, PA. (March 1, 2016) – Unbeaten middleweight prospect Ievgen Khytrov (12-0, 11 KOs) takes on Alabama’s Kenneth McNeil (9-1, 6 KOs) in a 10-round bout that highlights an exciting undercard taking place this Saturday, March 5 from Sands Bethlehem Events Center in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
The card features an exciting tripleheader of action live on SHOWTIME® at 10 p.m. ET/PT and is headlined by undefeated rising star Julian “J-Rock” Williams in an IBF eliminator for the top ranking at 154 pounds against Italy’s Marcello Matano. Also featured on the telecast is fast-rising middleweight contender Antoine Douglas against Avtandil Khurtsidze and exciting prospect Tony Harrison battling former title challenger Fernando Guerrero.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions, are priced at $100, $75 and $45, not including applicable service charges and taxes and are on sale now. Tickets are available HEREat www.ticketmaster.com. To charge by phone call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.
In other action, Philadelphia’s Joey Dawejko (16-4-2, 9 KOs) will compete in an eight-round heavyweight showdown against 2012 Ecuadorian Olympian Ytalo Perea (6-2-1, 4 KOs).
Also in a non-televised bout is unbeaten Terrance Williams (4-0, 1 KO), who faces Anthony Miller (2-1, 2 KOs) in a four-round middleweight contest and the pro debut of Brooklyn’s Chordale Booker against Patrick Kehoe (1-2) in a four-round heavyweight fight.
Rounding out the night of fights is super welterweight prospect Oshaquie Foster (10-1, 7 KOs) in a six-round bout against Brazil’s Claudinei Lacerda (17-14-1, 12 KOs) and Philadelphia’s Amir Shabazz (2-0) against Atlanta’s Hakeem Atkinson (2-1, 1 KO) in a four-round light heavyweight contest.
An Olympian for his native Ukraine, Khytrov also won an Amatuer World Championship before turning pro in 2013. Since then, the 27-year-old has dominated on his way to stopping contenders Josh Luteran and Nick Brinson in addition to previously unbeaten fighters Maurice Louishomme and Aaron Coley. Now training out of Brooklyn, he will be opposed by the 25-year-old McNeil out of Birmingham, Alabama who enters this fight on a six-bout winning streak.
An exciting brawler out of the great fighting city of Philadelphia, Dawejko looks to make it three in a row after delivering stoppages of Natu Visinia and Robert Dunton his last two times out. The 25-year-old has shared the ring with heavyweight world champion Charles Martin and contender Amir Mansour. He faces a stiff test in the 22-year-old Perea. The Ecuadorian Olympian trains out of Howard Beach, New York and picked up his last win via knockout over Oswaldo Sanchez.
For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports and www.sandseventcenter.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @JRockBoxing, @Action_Douglas,  @IAmBoxing, @FernandoDomini, @TheSBEC and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports