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boxing, Fox, Fox Sports 1, Premier Boxing Champions

 FIGHT WEEK ON FOX KICKS OFF WITH ACTION-PACKED CARD AT CLUB NOKIA AT L.A. LIVE ON FS1 & FOX DEPORTES

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Jamal James, David Benavidez, Caleb Plant and Malcolm McAllister Score Impressive Victories
 
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Photo Credit: Suzanne Teresa/Premier Boxing Champions
 
 
LOS ANGELES (January 19, 2016) In front of a packed house at Club Nokia at L.A. LIVE on Tuesday night in downtown Los Angeles, Premier Boxing Champions kicked off PBC On FOX Fight Week In Los Angeles with an exciting fight card on TOE-TO-TOE TUESDAYS on FS1 and BOXEO DE CAMPEONES on FOX Deportes.
Headlining the card, undefeated welterweight Jamal James of Burnsville, Minnesota (19-0, 9 KOs), won a 10-round unanimous decision over local favorite Javier Molina, (17-2, 8 KOs). Scores (99-91, 98-92 and 97-93) were surprisingly wide as most ringside observers thought it was a much closer fight.
Battling from the opening bell, James and Molina each had success with swift jabs and power shots throughout the first half of the fight. The intensity continued in the second half with both fighters sensing the bout was hanging in the balance of each stanza.
 
Said James, “I thought when he first came out in the first couple of rounds, it was pretty close. He was making it a tough fight. As the fight went on, I got him to fight my fight. I kept him on the outside.
“I stuck to my game plan. I felt like I should have been busier. He had some tricky movement with his feet. The range was tough. I had a hard time finding my range, but once I found it, everything fell into place.
“I believe I did gain a lot of fans tonight and I can’t wait to get back in the ring.”
Stated Molina, “I thought it was a close fight. I had a game plan, but I should have stayed inside more. He got wild and I stayed there and let him go out I started locking up. He would throw some punches that I shouldn’t have let him. I didn’t really do what I had to do.
“I didn’t feel like the scorecards were fair. One judge only gave me one round. No way that was right. Either way I think I fought a good fight.
“I felt like I had a lot of people behind me. I am bummed out and I feel like I let them down. I didn’t pull it off. I just hope I gave them an exciting fight.”
Middleweight prospect Caleb Plant of Nashville, Tenn. (12-0, 9 KOs) stayed undefeated with an entertaining sixth-round stoppage of Spain’s Adatar Rodriguez (11-5-2, 7 KOs).
Plant showed excellent technique and defense keeping Rodriguez off-balance with an array of power shots. Battering the valiant Rodriguez who suffered two facial cuts, Plant earned the stoppage as the one-sided bout was stopped at 2:37 of the sixth round.
“My performance was great. We are always looking to get better. I stayed patient,” said Plant. “I’ve fought on five or six PBC cards. It’s a blessing.
“I want to dedicate this to my daughter Leah in heaven. She passed last year on January 29. The anniversary is 10 days away and she gives me a lot of motivation.
“I want to get back in the gym and get back as soon as I can. I’m not interested in taking time off. I’m a professional and this is what I do day in and day out.”
In a scheduled six round super middleweight clash, knockout artist  Malcolm McAllister(7-0, 7 KOs) who represented nearby Long Beach knocked out Tyrone Selders of Baton Rouge, LA (9-7-1, 6 KOs) in the third stanza. Dropped in the first round, Cobb also suffered a cut over his right yet as McAllister set a relentless pace.
Continuing to batter Selders in the next two rounds, McAllister was awarded the victory as referee Zachary Young stopped the bout at the 2:39 mark of the third round.
Stated McAllister, “I am always going to do what I have to do. I’m happy I beat a tough guy.  I’m a fighter. I come to fight. I don’t care where it is, we come to fight. It’s a great opportunity and being on TV is a bonus.
“This is my backyard. There were more people here supporting me and cheering me on than I expected. That was a great feeling.”
Opening the telecast, undefeated super middleweight prospect David Benavidez of Phoenix (12-0, 11 KOs) stopped Burlington, VT’s Kevin Cobb, (10-2, 4 KOs) in the second round of their scheduled eight-round battle. Using heavy handed left hooks to the body, Benavidez controlled the action from the opening bell.
Staggering Cobb with an overhand right in the middle of the second round, Benavidez followed up with a full arsenal of power shots causing referee Raul Caiz Jr. to stop the bout at the time of 1:08.
About the victory, Benavidez said “I feel great we had a great training camp. If you saw my fight, I looked great as well. Phoenix has always had a lot of great talent, but not that many guys come out of Phoenix and I am proud of making a name for myself.
“I knew I was going to get my opponent out that fast. I saw him fight. He doesn’t have that many skills. He was running a lot in the first round and that’s why I didn’t get him out there sooner. As soon as I got my hands on him…it was goodnight.”
Four of the fighters featured on this Saturday’s Premier Boxing Champions on FOX event were also on hand enjoying the fights to kick off their fight week.
Danny Garcia
“There are some great fights tonight. I am happy my fighter Tommy Velasquez won by fourth round knockout. I am happy to be here.
“I am proud of my fighter, he had an excellent performance and got the guy out of there.
“This is a great week to start off my fight week, with a team win. The momentum is building and I can’t wait for Saturday night.”
Sammy Vasquez
“There are some great fights here and tough competitors. It makes me more excited for Saturday’s fights.
“This is where you need to showcase your skills. On TV is where you need to be dominant, you need to be 100 percent on your A game. If you’re not, it gives someone else an opportunity to take your spot.
“I don’t get to watch fights as a fan as much as I would like so this is a real treat for me.”
Dominic Breazeale
“This is a great way to kick off fight week. FS1 is here in town in downtown LA.
“I am excited about the workout tomorrow, press conference and the weigh-in. All of the activities coming up.
“These fights have been great so far. Guys going punch for punch, blow for blow, cut for cut.”
Amir Mansour
“My last fighter was Gerald Washington and he was taller than Breazeale. So you have to make adjustments for taller guys, but I’ve been fighting taller guys. you will see some definite changes in my game plan.
“I thought I won my last fight. I want to take the judges out of the equation.
“It’s sad that you’re putting your all into something. You’re making sacrifices and then you get in a situation that you have to knock the guy out.
“I’m surprised Breazeale took this fight. I’ve faced better competition.
“I’m really happy to be here and cheer on these up and coming fighters and start fight week watching some great fights.”
# # #
For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage, www.foxdeportes.com and www.TGBPromotions.com. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @JamesShango, @JavierMolina562 @TGBPromotions, @FS1, @FOXDeportes, @VENUE and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports andwww.facebook.com/foxdeportes.
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Fighter/Promoter Salita Says Detroit Was the Obvious Choice for Upcoming Series of Professional Boxing Shows

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Detroit Brawl Banner
‘Detroit Brawl’ Begins Saturday, February 6, at the Masonic Temple
 
“I strongly feel that Detroit has a lot of potential to become a hub for pro boxing. Not only with its own talented fighters, but also for boxers from around the country and around the globe. With consistency, competitive fights and talented boxers there’s a tremendous amount of potential for world-class boxing in the city of Detroit.” Dmitriy Salita
World-class boxer turned promoter Dmitriy Salita, of Salita Promotions, says the choice to base his new series of live fights in Detroit was an easy one to make. A city and state that has produced such all-time greats as Floyd Mayweather, Tommy Hearns and Joe Louis to name a few, as well as legendary trainers such Emanuel Steward and Eddie Futch is, according to Salita, the perfect place to launch a succession of top-notch boxing shows.
Appropriately entitled the “Detroit Brawl,” the series will kick off at the iconic Masonic Temple in Downtown Detroit on Saturday, February 6 at 6:30 pm. Featured that night will be a diverse array of up-and-coming prospects and established contenders from Michigan and around the world including Detroit’s James Gordon Smith (8-0, 5 KOs), Ed Williams (10-1-1, 4 KOs), James Ballard (5-0, 2 KOs), and Antonio Wade (1-0, 1 KO), as well as former world title challenger and currently world-ranked cruiserweight Junior Wright of Chicago (14-1-1, 11 KOs), undefeated Dominican Eudy Bernardo (20-0, 14 KOs), Brooklyn’s Dimash Niyazov (8-0-3, 4 KOs) and the professional debut of Turkmenistan’s former Asian Games Amateur Champion, Serdar Hudayberdiyev.
Tickets for “Detroit Brawl” are priced at $28, $38, $48, $63, $93, and $123 and are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com, by calling 800-745-3000, or by visiting the Masonic Temple box office. For event information visit themasonic.com and SalitaPromotions.com.
“Detroit is America’s great comeback city and boxing fans love a comeback,” said Salita, who once challenged for a world title and currently sports a 35-2-1, 18 KOs record as a fighter. “This city has some of the best homegrown boxers in the country and the world and we plan to highlight those talents throughout this series. I thought it was a natural to run consistent high-class show here. Detroit and the State of Michigan, as a whole, have a rich boxing culture: The boxing fans here will respond positively. And for the local up-and-comers, they will have a place close to home to build a fan base.”
Though he is Ukraine-born and Brooklyn-raised, Salita has a long history with the area, having trained here since early in his fighting career.
“I’ve been coming to Detroit for six years, to train at the Kronk Gym with Emanuel Steward and Sugar Hill, his nephew,” explained Salita. “I got a chance firsthand to see the Detroit boxing culture and witness its tremendous talent!”
33-year-old Salita started boxing at age 13 at Starret City Boxing Club in Brooklyn, New York, and went on to become a highly decorated amateur boxer before his professional career. “At the time I started boxing, the Starrett City Boxing Club was run by Jimmy O’Pharrow. It was one of the best gyms in New York City. It produced some of the best fighters in the world today. We all came up together and had ‘fights of the year’ sparring sessions almost every night. The competitive nature of those sparring sessions are what made me so successful in boxing, and when I came here to the Kronk gym I witnessed that same atmosphere.”
Still an active fighter, after losing his challenge to world champion Amir Khan in 2009, Salita says he looked around at his options and decided that with his strong fan base, becoming a promoter was a natural progression. Salita says he’s proud of diversity and talent level he’s been able to provide for the inaugural show of the series.
“I like that this show has several of Detroit’s up-and-coming stars and boxers from different places around the world as well.  Junior Wright is world-ranked and one of the best cruiserweights in the world. He’s looking to get back to another world title shot. Eudy Bernardo, an undefeated lightweight prospect from the Dominican Republic, is looking to rise to the top of the division. And the Detroit fighters are some of the best including James Ballard, Eddie Williams and James Gordon Smith, a former national champion in the amateurs. Antonio Wade is another hot prospect from the Detroit area. We’ve also got Asian games gold medalist Serdar Hudayberdiyev making his pro debut. He’s already the greatest fighter his country has ever produced. People are flying out from Turkmenistan to see the fight. I’m very excited about this show and for the future of boxing in this great city!”
boxing

Greg Cohen Promotions and Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions Announce Co-Promotional Partnership on ‘Championship Boxing on CBS Sports Network’ Series in 2016

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Greg Cohen of Greg Cohen Promotions (GCP) is happy to announce he will be teaming up with Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions (RJJ) to continue his successful “Championship Boxing on CBS Sports Network” series of boxing shows.
GCP and RJJ will be co-promoting a nationally televised, world-class event at least once a month for the next 12 months, beginning with their debut on February 19, 2016, at the WinnaVegas Casino & Resort in Sloane, Iowa.
Specific match-ups will be announced soon.
CBS Sports Network, the 24-hour home of CBS Sports, 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.
“I could not be happier about teaming up with such a first-rate promotional outfit as Roy Jones Jr Boxing and their team to present 12-15 outstanding boxing shows in the next 12 months,” said Greg Cohen. “We’ve had great success with last year’s CBS Sports Network shows, but the addition of such a world-renowned name as Roy Jones adds a strong element of greatness to each presentation. And the addition of the RJJ stable of fighters makes the possibility for several exciting match-ups. I am proud to be affiliated with CBS Sports Network and especially my close business associates at RJJ.”
“I am extremely honored to work with such a reputable network such as CBS and distinguished partner, Greg Cohen,” stated Keith Veltre, CEO of Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions. “CBS will no doubt bring more recognition to both our companies, worldwide. I am excited about this new avenue to showcase the RJJ roster to the boxing world. My thanks to Greg Cohen and the team at CBS Sports and I look forward to being part of this exciting series of shows, as a promoter and as a lifelong fan of boxing.”
GCP began the “Championship Boxing on CBS Sports Network” series last year in April and has already featured world-class fighters such as current interim WBA World Lightweight Champion Ismael Barroso, former world title challengers Lateef “Power” Kayode, “Hurricane” Dennis Hogan, and lightweight contender Tony “Lightning” Luis.
About Greg Cohen Promotions
One of boxing’s premier promotional outfits, Greg Cohen Promotions (GCP) is a well-respected name for staging world-class professional boxing events and promoting elite professional fighters throughout the world.
Founder and CEO Greg Cohen has been involved with professional boxing in various capacities since the late 1980s, honing his craft and establishing himself as a shrewd international boxing businessman.
Distinguished by his ability to spot and develop raw talent, Cohen first made promotional headlines for his expert guidance of, among many others, former WBA Junior Middleweight Champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout, who Cohen helped guide from unknown New Mexico prospect to elite pay-per-view level superstar.
In addition to Trout, Greg Cohen Promotions has worked with established names such as former unified and two-time heavyweight champion Hasim “The Rock” Rahman and all-time-great multiple-weight class world champion James “Lights Out” Toney.
Cohen currently promotes multiple world champion and boxing superstar Zab Judah and former world champion Kendall Holt, as well as current world-rated contenders including top undefeated cruiserweight Lateef Kayode, long-time elite middleweight “Mean” Joe Greene, lightweight KO artist Ismael Barroso, top super featherweight Arash Usmanee, Canadian lightweight and TV action hero Tony Luis; WBA and five-time Irish National Amateur Champion, Dennis Hogan; and Australian lightweight prospect Josh King.
Greg Cohen Promotions has hosted world-class boxing events in the finest venues throughout the United States and the world and has also proudly provided talent and/or content for several television networks including CBS Sports Network, HBO, Showtime, ESPN, NBC Sports Network, CBS Sports Network, MSG and FOX Sports Net.
For more information, visit gcpboxing.com. Find us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/GCPBoxing. Twitter: @GCPBoxing.
boxing, Showtime Boxing

WILD NIGHT: DEONTAY WILDER RETAINS WBC HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP WITH DEVASTATING  KNOCKOUT OF ARTUR SZPILKA

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CHARLES MARTIN CLAIMS IBF BELT TO BECOME
SECOND AMERICAN HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMP
SATURDAY ON SHOWTIME® FROM BARCLAYS CENTER
Don’t Miss The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Replay
This Monday At 10 p.m. ET/PT On SHOWTIME EXTREME®
Click HERE To Download Photos From Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME
 
Click HERE To Download Photos From Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment
NEW YORK (Jan. 17, 2016) – American heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder defended his WBC title for the third time with a devastating ninth round knockout of Polish challenger Artur Szpilka on Saturday night, live on SHOWTIME in front of 12,668 fans at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.   VIDEO HIGHLIGHT: http://s.sho.com/1Rtg0ac
With WBA and WBO Heavyweight World Champion Tyson Fury and Wilder’s mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin watching from ringside, Wilder (36-0, 35 KOs) impressed yet again in knocking out his 35th opponent in 36 fights.
It was a close fight until Szpilka walked into a brutal right to the chin while throwing a wide left at 2:24of the ninth round. Szpilka fell onto his back and remained unconscious on the canvas for a few moments before responding to questions and stating he was fine.  Szpilka (20-2, 15 KOs) was conversing and moving all his extremities, however he was taken to Lutheran Hospital on a stretcher as a precautionary measure.
“He’s doing good,” said Szpilka’s trainer Ronnie Shields.  “He’s awake and knows exactly where he is.  He didn’t want to go to the hospital, but he’s going as a precaution.  It’s better safe than sorry.”
Power was the difference for Wilder, a 6-foot-7 bomber who landed 42 percent of his power shots against the southpaw opponent.  The 30-year-old briefly celebrated his victory before checking to ensure that Szpilka was going to be fine.
“I told him he was a great contender,” Wilder said.  “He came to give his all.  He gave his all for Brooklyn.  I always say two prayers.  I say a team prayer and I say an individual prayer.  I don’t want to hurt a man so he can’t go home to his family. We risk our lives every time we step in the ring.  He’s definitely in my prayers and I hope he’s doing well.
“He was definitely a crafty guy,” continued Wilder. “I haven’t competed against a southpaw in three years.  He was a tough competitor, but you’re fighting for a world title.  It’s not supposed to be easy.  I’m surprised it took that long, but we had 12 rounds and they can’t all can’t be pretty.”
Fury, the outspoken British unified world champion, climbed into the ring after the fight and claimed he wanted to fight Wilder in a unification blockbuster.
“Any time, any place, anywhere.  I’ll fight you in your backyard after I beat (Wladimir) Klitschko again.”
Wilder, the first American heavyweight champion in nearly a decade, dismissed Fury’s antics while promising he was game for a showdown that is undoubtedly one of the biggest fights that can be made in boxing.
“We all know Fury is just a phony,” Wilder said.  “This is just an act.  I’m not scared of anybody.  We’ll come to your backyard.  This is just an act – you’re not a real fighter.  I don’t play.  This isn’t wrestling. When you do step in that ring with me I promise you I will baptize you.
“I would love to fight him next, unfortunately, I have other mandatories due.  Make the date Tyson, I promise you.”
In the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING opener, Charles Martin won the IBF Heavyweight World Championship when Vyacheslav Glazkov suffered a right knee injury in the third round and was unable to continue.  The fight was scored a third round TKO (1:50) after Glazkov told referee Earl Brown that he was unable to continue.
Martin (23-0-1, 21 KOs), who was the aggressor throughout the fight, becomes the sixth southpaw heavyweight champion in boxing history and the second current American heavyweight titlist.
Glazkov (21-1-1, 13 KOs) slipped early in the third and seemed uneasy when he returned to his feet.  The previously undefeated Ukrainian continued fighting, but he fell to the canvas again while throwing a punch.  Replays confirmed that the right knee injury was a slip and wasn’t the result of a connected shot from Martin.  After the fight, ringside doctor Gerard Verlotta confirmed to SHOWTIME Sports reporter Jim Gray that the injury was a torn right ACL.
“I still wanted to fight,” Martin said.  “We trained for 12 rounds and we were going to get stronger as the rounds went on.  He just kind of twisted his ankle, it looked like.  But every time I hit him in the body and his legs were flying.  It’s boxing,. That was a football injury.  I’m sorry for him.  It’s unfortunate he couldn’t continue the fight.
“I want to unify the titles.  We didn’t even fight tonight.  I want another fighter.  I want Tyson Fury.”
A dejected Glazkov pleaded his case for a rematch while being inspected by doctors in his locker room.
“This should have been my belt,” Glazkov said.  “I already had him figured out. I slipped and felt a sharp pain in my right knee and felt it give it out.  I’m very upset. I want a rematch when I recover.”

In non-televised action, Brooklyn’s Adam Kownacki (13-0, 10 KOs) thrilled the hometown crowd with an exciting and dominant victory over Danny Kelly (9-2-1, 8 KOs). The Polish-born fighter used precise hooks and devastating uppercuts to earn the unanimous decision by scores of 80-72 twice and 79-73.
Undefeated Notre Dame alum Mike Lee (16-0, 10 KOs) was sharp in his cruiserweight outing as he stopped Joseph Gardner (11-9-1, 1 KO) 43 seconds into round three. Lee dropped his opponent twice in round three before finishing the bout in round four.
 
Ivan Golub (10-0, 8 KOs) blasted out Juan Rodriguez (12-4, 5 KOs) and scored a TKO victory in the first round. The Ukranian-born fighter now training out of Brooklyn delivered an enormous overhand right that sent Rodriguez down and prompted the referee to stop the fight 2:41 into the round.
Undefeated Polish middleweight Maciej Sulecki (22-0, 7 KOs) dominated veteran
Derrick Findley (22-18-1, 14 KOs) to remain perfect via a stoppage 1:29 into the seventh round. In a fun battle of unbeaten prospects Botisher Obidov (4-0-1, 1 KO) eked out a narrow unanimous decision over Ramil Gadzhiev (1-1, 1 KO) with all three judges scoring the fight 39-37.
Light heavyweight prospect Carlos Gongora  (4-0, 3 KOs) scored three knockdowns before eventually stopping Derrick Adkins (1-1-1, 1 KO) in round four. The final shot was a devastating body shot that ended the fight 1:58 into the round.
Brooklyn’s Julian Sosa (4-0-1, 2 KOs) thrilled his many fans in attendance with a dominant performance on his way to stopping Bryan Timmons (3-7, 3 KOs) at 1:48 into the second round.
Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will re-air on Monday, Jan. 18 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME and will be available On Demand beginning this Sunday.
Mauro Ranallo called the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING action with Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein and former world champion Paulie Malignaggi commentating and Jim Gray reporting. In Spanish, Alejandro Luna called the blow-by-blow with former world champion Raul Marquez serving as color commentator.
The event was promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Warriors Boxing and Sferis Knockout Promotions and sponsored by Corona. The executive producer of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is David Dinkins Jr. with Bob Dunphy directing.
Barclays Center’s BROOKLYN BOXING™ programming platform is presented by AARP.  For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @BronzeBomber, @Szpilka_Artur, @BarclaysCenter, @WarriorsBoxingProm and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports, www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment,www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter.
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Central New England (Greater Lowell) 70th annual Lowell Sun Charities Golden Gloves Championship Second preliminary round results from Lowell

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For Immediate Release
LOWELL, Mass. (January 16, 2016) – The Central New England (Greater Lowell) preliminary-round of the 70th annual Lowell Sun Charities Golden Gloves Championship concluded last night at historic Lowell Memorial Auditorium with 12 second-round matches in the novice class.
Knockouts (4) and shutout decisions were the theme last night as the large crowd really got into the exciting action, particularly the explosive knockout performances by Methuen (MA) middleweight Yamarco Guzman and Franklin (MA) heavyweight Jared Gately.
The quarterfinals, featuring open and novice class matches, will be held next Friday night (Jan. 22) at Lowell Memorial Auditorium.  See the complete 2016 schedule below as well as last night’s results.
$70 for ’70 – A special offer to celebrate the 70th edition of the Lowell Sun Charities Golden Gloves Championship is available to purchase: $70.00 season ticket (7 remaining events) in the balcony.  To purchase call the Lowell Memorial Auditorium box office at1.866.722.8881 or order online at www.LowellMemorialAuditorium.com. Individual event tickets are also available to purchase for $17.00, $15.00 or $12.00.
Proceeds from the Lowell Sun Charities Golden Gloves Championship go towards sending the New England Golden Gloves champions to the National Golden Gloves Championship (2016 in Salt Lake City, Utah), in addition to supporting local athletes and area gyms, the Boys & Girls Club, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, cancer funds, scholarships and many other great charitable causes.
Official Results
(winner listed first each match)
Novice Division
LIGHTWEIGHTS (132 lbs.)
Jacob Solomon (Brookline, MA – The Ring)
WDEC3 (5-0)
Fabio D’Ambrosio (Revere, MA – Somerville Boxing)
FEMALE LIGHTWEIGHTS (132 lbs.)
Stephanie Khan (Brighton, MA – The Ring)
WDEC3 (5-0)
Jen Almeida (Wilmington, MA – Jim McNally’s)
LIGHT WELTERWEIGHTS (141 lbs.)
Nathan Rosa (Lowell – West End)
WTKO3 (0:26)
Richard Tosi (Wakefield, MA – MK Boxing)
WELTERWEIGHTS (152 lbs.)
Kenny Larson (Salem, MA – Somerville Boxing)
WTKO2 (2:00)
Joshua Wood (Lowell, MA – West End)
MIDDLEWEIGHTS (165 lbs.)
Yamarco Guzman (Methuen, MA – Canal Street)
WTKO1 (0:43)
Cusaj Thomas (Chestnut Hill, MA – Nonantum Boxing)
Sean McDonough (Milton, MA – TNT Boxing)
WDEC3 (5-0)
Brandon Brunell (Southbridge, MA – The Club by George Foreman)
Peter Maher (Arlington, MA – Somerville Boxing)
WDEC3 (5-0)
Adrian Gedney (Gloucester, MA – Gloucester,Boxing)
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS (178 lbs.)
Justin Deflumeri, (Merrimack, NH – Nashua PAL)
WDEC3 (5-0)
Abdul Morelly (Providence, RI – Union Street Boxing)
Joseph DaSilva (Gloucester, MA – Gloucester Boxing)
WDEC3 (5-0)
Daniel McNamara (Allston, MA – Boston Boxing)
HEAVYWEIGHTS (201 lbs.)
Jared Gately (Franklin, MA – Peter Welch’s)
WTKO3 (0:10)
Zachary Calmus (Gloucester – Redline Fight Sports)
SUPER HEAVYWEIGHTS (201+ lbs.)
Ryan Brooks (Weymouth, MA – Grealish Boxing)
WDEC3
Floran Kacaku (Malden, MA – Redline Fight Sports)
Shane Begin (Brighton, MA – Nonantum Boxing)
WDEC3 (5-0)
James Anderson (Dorchester, MA – Dorchester Boxing Club)
70th annual Lowell Sun Charities Golden Gloves Championship Schedule
(Lowell Memorial Auditorium – 6:30 p.m. doors open, 7:30 p.m. first bout)
Central New England (Greater Lowell)
Open & Novice Quarterfinal Round – Friday, Jan. 22
Open & Novice Class Semifinals, C.N.E. – Thursday, Jan. 28
Open & Novice Class Championship Finals – Thursday, Feb. 4
New England Tournament of Champions
Novice Class Semifinals – Thursday, Feb. 11
Novice Class Championship Finals – Feb. 18
Open Class Semifinals – Wednesday, Feb. 24
Open Class Championship Finals – Thursday, Feb. 25
Information:
Tournament Executive Director: Bobby Russo
Director of Contestants: Art Ramalho
Chief of Officials:  Lauri Purcell
Ring Announcer:  John Vena
Venue:  Lowell Memorial Auditorium, 50 Merrimack St., Lowell, MA
Twitter:  @LowellGloves
CONTACT:  Bob Trieger, Full Court PRESS, 978.590.0470, bobtfcp@hotmail.com, @FightPublicist
ABOUT LOWELL SUN CHARITIES: Established in 1947, Lowell Sun Charities is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to enrich the quality of life for children, families, and the community, offering programs that promote respect and dignity.  Rooted in a tradition of care and compassion, Lowell Sun Charities was originally founded to respond to the ever-increasing challenges of the community.  2016 marks the 70th year the Golden Gloves have been held in the great city of Lowell, Massachusetts.
Lowell Sun Charities is a community program that not only makes champions in the ring but also makes champions in life.  Every year these young athletes devote themselves to a sport which teaches discipline, respect, and clean lifestyle for a chance to win a prestigious Golden Gloves Championship.
boxing, Fox, Premier Boxing Champions

UNDEFEATED HEAVYWEIGHT DOMINIC BREAZEALE TALKS MATCHUP WITH AMIR MANSOUR, TRAINING CAMP,  HEAVYWEIGHT PREDICTIONS & MORE BEFORE PRIMETIME BATTLE ON PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONSON FOX & FOX DEPORTES SATURDAY, JANUARY 23 FROM STAPLES CENTER IN LOS ANGELES

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Click HERE For Photos From Team Breazeale
 
Click HERE For Photos From Valentin Romero
 
LOS ANGELES (January 15, 2016) – 2012 U.S. Olympian and undefeated heavyweight Dominic “Trouble” Breazeale is nearing a world title shot and took time recently to discuss his upcoming showdown with Amir “Hardcore” Mansour and weigh-in on the heavyweight action this weekend before he enters the ring Saturday, January 23 from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles.
Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on FOX and FOX Deportes is headlined by the welterweight world championship showdown between Danny “Swift” Garcia and Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero and features a welterweight scrap that pits undefeated rising starSammy “The Sergeant” Vasquez against Los Angeles’ Aron Martinez. Televised bouts begin at 4 p.m. PT inside the arena.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions in association with Swift Promotions, are priced at $300, $200, $100, $50 and $25, not including applicable fees and service charges, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased at AXS.com or by phone at 888-929-7849or at STAPLES Center.
Breazeale has been training at The Rock gym in Carson, California with Manny Robles. Here is what Breazeale had to say about Mansour, training camp, the heavyweight division and more:
DOMINIC BREAZEALE
“It wasn’t hard to refocus after the Charles Martin fight fell out. I took a couple of days off and then I was right back in the gym on Monday.
“I have no worries about fighting a southpaw. I’ve had plenty of time to get comfortable with the game plan against a southpaw.
“I just did a week of sparring in San Francisco with LeRon Mitchell. It was well worth it. He’s a southpaw, same build as Mansour. It was ideal.
“I’ve seen a couple of Mansour’s fights, especially the Gerald Washington fight, and I know he wants to get inside. I need him to respect my distance and range. Washington was tall like me so it’s a good fight to study.
“My time playing quarterback in college has helped me out a great deal. The footwork is very similar. Throwing footballs and throwing punches isn’t so different.
“I’d like Charles Martin to defeat Vyacheslav Glazkov and then hopefully I can fight him. Glazkov was an Olympian and has a great deal of experience. I believe if Glazkov wins it will be in impressive fashion. I’m not sure Martin has enough talent to be in the ring with Glazkov.
“Deontay Wilder is very good with his range. I’m a believer in him and I don’t think Artur Szpilka will be able to get inside. I’m picking Deontay.
“My fight will be action packed for sure. I’ve got the ability to knockout Mansour and I’m looking for a knockout in the middle rounds. It will definitely be very action packed.”
For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.staplescenter.com andwww.TGBPromotions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage, www.foxdeportes.com. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @DannySwift @GhostBoxing, @SammyV2112, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes @STAPLESCenter, @TGBPromotions and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions,www.facebook.com/STAPLESCenter and www.facebook.com/foxsports,www.facebook.com/foxdeportes. Follow the conversation using #PBConFOX.
boxing, Fox, Premier Boxing Champions

UNDEFEATED RISING STAR SAMMY VASQUEZ GIVES TRAINING CAMP UPDATE BEFORE PBC ON FOX & FOX DEPORTES PRIMETIME SHOWDOWN WITH ARON MARTINEZ SATURDAY, JANUARY 23 FROM STAPLES CENTER IN LOS ANGELES

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Click HERE For Photos From Team Vasquez
 
COLORADO SPRINGS (January 15, 2016) – Undefeated welterweight contenderSammy “The Sergeant” Vasquez is just over a week away from facing the toughest opponent of his career and he took time out of his camp to give an update on training and more.
Vasquez takes on Los Angeles’ Aron Martinez on Premier Boxing Champions(PBC) on FOX and FOX Deportes on Saturday, January 23 at STAPLES Center. Televised coverage is headlined by a welterweight world title battle between Danny “Swift” Garcia and Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero plus a heavyweight contest between 2012 U.S. Olympian Dominic “Trouble” Breazeale and rugged contenderAmir “Hardcore” Mansour. Televised bouts begin inside the arena at 4 p.m. PT.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions in association with Swift Promotions, are priced at $300, $200, $100, $50 and $25, not including applicable fees and service charges, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased at AXS.com or by phone at 888-929-7849or at STAPLES Center.
Vasquez has been training at the Triple Threat Boxing Gym in Colorado Springs. Here is what Vasquez had to say about training, his U.S. Army service, Aron Martinez and more:
SAMMY VASQUEZ
“I like training out in Colorado. It’s where I live now and the altitude makes my training even better. The longer I stay out here, the more advantages I get.
“I’m excited to be fighting on the west coast. I love fighting out here. I’m an exciting fighter and I’m fighting a local guy. Hopefully I can win and start building my own fans in L.A.
“Aron Martinez is going to come forward. He puts his head in your chest and tries to wear you out. It’s all about attacking the body. If he wants to be the bull, I’ll be the matador.
“We know his game plan so we’re preparing very well. If he tries to box me, I’ll outbox him all day.
“We’re going to take it one fight at a time. Being in competition for a world title is what we want. All the best guys are in the welterweight division.
“Where I am right now, I’m on the cusp of moving in on the big dogs in the division. I want to fight those guys. I feel like I’m ready to go. You have to take it one fight at a time in this division. It’s all about knocking out a name to get a name.
“I try to use boxing to get anything out there about the military that I can. I’ve been deployed twice and diagnosed with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). PTSD and TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) are very serious things. I’m lucky to be where I’m at right now. I want to push the word out there more. It’s very serious but I’m fortunate enough to be in a position to spread the word.
“I think I’m going to stop him. Between the sixth and the eighth round. We’re going to meet in the middle of the ring. I’ve got more power than he’s used to. Everyone comes forward until they get punched in the face.”
For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.staplescenter.com and www.TGBPromotions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage, www.foxdeportes.com. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @DannySwift @GhostBoxing, @SammyV2112, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes @STAPLESCenter, @TGBPromotions and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions,www.facebook.com/STAPLESCenter and www.facebook.com/foxsports,www.facebook.com/foxdeportes. Follow the conversation using #PBConFOX.
boxing, ShoBox, Showtime Boxing

ADAM LOPEZ AND MARIO MUNOZ TO HEADLINE SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION QUADRUPLEHEADER FRIDAY, FEB. 19, FROM BOARDWALK HALL IN ATLANTIC CITY

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Ronald Ellis vs. Jerry Odom, Keenan Smith vs. Wellington Arias Romero & Lavasis Williams-O’Shaquie Foster Also in Action

 

Friday, Feb. 19 at 10 p.m. ET/PT

Live On SHOWTIME®

 

NEW YORK (Jan. 15, 2016) – ShoBox: The New Generation returnson Friday, Feb. 19, quadrupleheader live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from the Adrian Phillips Ballroom in Historic Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J.

 

With the same height, same age, and similar strong amateur backgrounds, Adam “Mantequilla” Lopez (14-0, 7 KOs) and Mario “Yayo” Munoz (16-0-1, 10 KOs) will face their toughest opponents to date when they touch gloves in the 10-round super bantamweight main event matchup.

 

In other televised bouts, all scheduled for eight rounds, Ronald “Akeem” Ellis (12-0, 10 KOs) takes on Jerry Odom (13-2, 12 KOs) in a clash of hard-hitting super middleweights, Keenan Smith (9-0, 3 KOs) faces fellow southpaw Wellington Romero (9-0-1, 4 KOs) in a battle of unbeaten welterweights and lefthander Lavisas “Red” Williams (8-0-1, 3 KOs) risks his undefeated record against O’Shaquie Foster (8-1, 5 KOs) in a super featherweight match.

 

The combined record of the eight up-and-coming competitors is 89-3-3 with 54 knockouts.

 

Lopez, of San Antonio, Texas, by way Phoenix, Ariz., Smith, of Philadelphia, and Foster, of Orange, Texas, will be making their secondShoBox starts; while Munoz, of  Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, Ellis, of Dorchester, Mass., Williams, of  Rochester, N.Y. and Romero, of Hasburgh, N.Y., via Santiago, D.R., their first. Odom, of Washington, D.C, is making his third appearance.

 

Tickets for the GH3 Promotions event are priced at $25, $50, $75 and 100 and are available for purchase online at www.Ticketmaster.comand over the phone at 1 800 736 1420.

 

An excellent boxer-puncher and tactician that likes to counter, Lopez won his ShoBox debut in his outing before last with a close, hard-fought 10-round majority decision over previously undefeated, DominicanEliezer Aquino (17-0-1 going in). Lopez is coming off a second-round TKO over Eric Aiken last Dec. 12.

 

Lopez was born in Phoenix, raised in Los Angeles and moved to San Antonio when he was 15. He went 125-23 in the amateurs and won six national championships before turning pro in February 2012. He’s trained by former two-time world champion Carlos “Famoso” Hernandez.

 

Munoz will be making his United States debut and first start outside of Mexico. A pro since September 2010, he’s known for his come-forward style, first-rate overall skills and proficient punching power. He went 140-10 in the amateurs, winning three national Junior Olympic tournaments and coming away with bronze and silver medals in national championships.

 

Munoz, who hails from a fighting family, has an uncle who boxed professionally. He’s the one he credits for introducing him to boxing when he was 13. This will be his first fight since he scored a lopsided eight-round decision over Daniel Franco last May 2.

 

Ellis upset highly regarded Terrell Gausha to win the 2010 National Golden Gloves (Gausha would go on to represent the U.S. at the 2012 Olympic Games). Since going pro in February 2011, Ellis has fought in two countries (Puerto Rico, Mexico) and six U.S. cities (San Antonio, Carson, Calif., Winchester, Va., New York City, Tulsa and Inglewood, Calif.). The 26-year-old has faced mostly modest opposition and has seldom come close to putting in a full night’s work.

 

Ellis had had a series of delays and restarts since turning pro but feels he’s grown from his mistakes and that he’ll be stronger because of them. For sure, his power hasn’t been affected. All 10 of his knockouts have come inside two rounds (eight in the first). The older brother of boxer Rashidi Ellis has won four straight by knockout, including a second-round TKO over Jas Phipps in his last start last Aug. 29. But he seems to be taking a sizeable step-up in class here.

 

Odom is looking to turn it around after losing two of his last three, the most recent defeat coming via a shocking third-round TKO to Samuel Clarkson (14-3 going in) on ShoBox. The heavily favored, heavy-hitting Odom was dropped three times, once in the second and twice in the third, before the fight was halted at 1:15.

 

Odom, a top amateur and 2012 National Golden Gloves Champion at 178 pounds, had a 12-fight win streak end on Jan. 9, 2015, when he was disqualified against Andrew Hernandez. In the rematch the followingMarch 13 on ShoBox, Odom registered a 2:47, first-round TKO.

 

In his ShoBox debut, Odom, who makes for exciting scraps, dropped previously unbeaten Vilier Quinonez (8-0) twice before stopping him in the seventh round on July 25, 2014.

 

Smith won his ShoBox debut in his last start on a hard-fought, eight-round unanimous decision over Benjamin Whitaker last Nov. 6 in an outdoor fight in Las Vegas. Fighting in memory of his mother who died in late September and going eight rounds for the first time, the 5-foot-7Smith, overcame a nasty cut over the left eye from an unintentional headbutt in the sixth, rallied to score a knockdown in the seventh and triumphed by the scores of 79-73 and 78-74 twice.

 

Before turning pro in April 2010, Smith was a 2008 National Golden Gloves Featherweight Champion and 2007 Junior Olympic National Champion. His 74-2 record in the amateurs included two victories overworld-ranked contender Amir Imam.

Romero had 268 amateur bouts and represented the Dominican Republic at the Olympics in 2012 (he lost to Vasyl Lomanchenko). Shortly thereafter he relocated to New York. He went pro in October 2013, fought four times in 2014 and five times last year.

 

A slick 5-foot-9 boxer who can punch and gives opponent issues because of his awkward style and movement, Romero, 24, has beat up on ordinary opposition and is coming off a first-round TKO over LuisMeroles last Dec. 5. This looks to be his most daunting assignment to date.

 

Williams, 24, is a boxer-puncher who’s won seven in a row since boxing a draw in his second start in March 2013. This will be his first fight outside of New York. Making his eight-round debut in his last start onOct. 8, he won a shutout decision over Czech Republic’s Michal Dufek.

 

Foster, 22, gets a quick-fix opportunity to redeem himself after losing hisShoBox debut on an eight-round unanimous decision to underdog Sam Teah (6-1) on the Nov. 6 card in Las Vegas.

 

A highly decorated amateur, the 5-foot-8½ inch Foster advanced to the 2012 U.S. Olympic Games Trials where he lost to unbeaten pro prospect, Joseph “Jo-Jo” Diaz. Before that, Foster was a 2011 Houston Golden Gloves and 2010 PAL National Champion, a five-time Ringside National Champion and two-time National Junior Golden Gloves Champion.

Barry Tompkins will call the ShoBox action from ringside with Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

 

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About ShoBox: The New Generation
Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 65 fighters who have appeared onShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Omar Figueroa, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more.

boxing, Showtime Boxing

DEONTAY WILDER VS. ARTUR SZPILKA FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & PHOTOS

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“I’m hungry. I’m determined. I’m not playing with anybody in 2016. 
My actions will speak for themselves.” – Wilder
 
“I don’t just want to win; I want to win in spectacular fashion.” – Szpilka
 

 
Click HERE For Photos From Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME®
 
Click HERE For Photos From Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment
 
BROOKLYN (January 14, 2016) – A dramatic fight week continued Thursday as WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay Wilder and bruising Polish contender Artur Szpilka participated inthe final press conference before they enter the ring this Saturday, January 16 live on SHOWTIME from Barclays Center.
The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT with unbeatensCharles Martin and Vyacheslav Glazkov fighting for the vacant IBF Heavyweight World Championship.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Warriors Boxing and Sferis Knockout Promotions, start at $25, not including applicable fees, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, www.barclayscenter.comor 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
Here is what the participants had to say Thursday:
DEONTAY WILDER
“I’m so happy to be here in the ‘Big Apple.’ It’s been over 115 years since there’s been a heavyweight title fight in Brooklyn and you’ve invited your ‘country friend’ to end that streak.
“Everything has happened at the right time in my life. Even the people I’ve met in my career have come at the right time. I still think about the first time I met Lennox Lewis and he took the time out to talk to me and he showed me different techniques. I’ll never forget.
“Lennox was one of those guys that set the standard. He’s a hard act to follow. But I love a challenge. Everybody has had struggles coming up. Now my children are my motivation and that’s what has made me strong physically and mentally.
“Here we are in 2016, with a young champion trying to follow in the footsteps of a great champion to become undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
“People who know me know that if I say I’m going to do something, I’m doing it. I am hungry. I am determined. I’m not playing with anybody in 2016. I don’t say things just to sound good. My actions will speak for themselves.
“This is a great card. Two heavyweight title fights in one night. It doesn’t get much better than that. The heavyweight division is exciting again. Having someone like me, it’s only going to get better.
“I take pride in what I do and what I have. I’m very honored to have the WBC belt. I even have the belt tattooed on my body. It’s not going anywhere. But there are more belts that I want. It’s going to be a long journey and a tough path to fulfill. But I’m that man.
“When people say the heavyweight champion of the world, I want one person to be recognized. I wish my opponent and all future opponents good luck, cause they’re going to need it.
“We’re not looking past Artur Szpilka. Things happen due to adrenaline and excitement, but I’m very confident about what I’m going to do on Saturday night. He wants to be the first Polish heavyweight champion of the world. You know he’s coming to make history.
“This is going to be a hard fight, but a fun fight. Everyone who sees this fight, they’re going to get their money’s worth. It’s going to be a great show. I cannot wait. Waiting is the hardest part of boxing.”
ARTUR SZPILKA
“I’m so happy to fight in front of so many great Polish fans. I want to be the first Polish heavyweight champion of the world. I want to do it.
“There’s no pressure on me. The pressure is on Deontay because I just want to be a world champion, he already is.
“I’m not just here to get my paycheck. Everyone who knows me, knows I come to fight. I don’t just want to win; I want to win in spectacular fashion.
“I have a bunch of friends coming in from Chicago but the next 48 hours will be mostly relaxing. I have a couple small training sessions with Ronnie (Shields) but that’s it.
“I know you have to have a great respect for your opponent and I used to have respect for him. But after what he has said about me, I have a problem. You have to prove it in the ring. He has to do it in the ring, not outside the ring. He can say whatever he wants, but we will see it in the ring.
“I will fight hard and after the fight you will hear ‘The New Heavyweight Champion of the World.’ “
CHARLES MARTIN
“I’m so thankful to be in this position. Everyone who put this together and got me here, I owe them everything. I want to thank my mom for making me a strong guy. We went through everything together. We’ve seen it all.
“It’s starting to get real. I can feel my aggression coming out. I’m a Taurus, I’m a bull. I get mean when it’s time to fight. That’s what I want to bring into the ring on Saturday night. Controlled aggression.
“I’m a nice person but when it’s time to go, I have an angry heart.
“I train for every fight like a title fight. Mentally there was nothing to gear up for. I’m strong mentally. I’ve been running up in the mountains and doing a lot of rounds.
“We’re in great shape after being in one camp for eight weeks and then taking a week off before we got back to it. It was a great training camp.
“I’m happy and excited. I’m looking forward to this fight on Saturday and taking what’s mine.
“I’m so sick of talking about what Glazkov does well, I just want to see if he can do it well against me.”
VYACHESLAV GLAZKOV
“Thank you everyone who supports me and loves boxing. This is a big opportunity for me. I’m 100 percent ready. This will be a good fight and I hope everyone is watching.
“I feel good. I’ve trained very hard. I’m very ready for this fight. Everything is in place for me to become world champion.
“Charles is a big guy. He’s a lefty but he hasn’t fought good opponents. He’s a big strong guy, but it’s the heavyweight division. Everyone is strong. This will be a good fight.
“All of my past fights have helped me get ready for this one. I want all of the belts. This is the first step towards my dream.”
LENNOX LEWIS, Former Unified Heavyweight World Champion
“I’m looking forward to the fights Saturday. There are four great heavyweights that I’m excited to see. I’m happy that my WBC belt is looked after so well.
“The heavyweight division is wide open right now. Now it’s time for the guys who were standing by the wayside to show that they want to be the next undisputed champion.”
LOU DIBELLA, President of DiBella Entertainment
“This is going to be a huge event at Barclays Center on Saturday night. There are still some tickets available, but you better run and get them. We just opened up some more tickets today. We could have a record crowd for boxing at Barclays Center and that’s the power of the heavyweight division and the power of boxing when you deliver a great product to people.
“There are two terrific fights in one night. They will be the first heavyweight title fights in Brooklyn in 115 years. We knew we were going to have Deontay Wilder taking on Artur Szpilka. We didn’t initially expect it, but now we have a title fight for a vacant belt as a co-feature. It really makes it a special night.”
STEPHEN ESPINOZA, Executive Vice President & General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports®
“SHOWTIME Sports was born on March 10, 1986 with its first telecast of a sporting event, which happened to feature a spectacular 11th-round knockout by “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler. This is SHOWTIME’s 30thanniversary and we’ll be celebrating all year long.
“In keeping with our heavyweight theme, we are featuring our long history with Evander Holyfield and airing some of his biggest fights. Holyfield has fought with us 18 times, the most of any other fighter. If there is a current fighter who can break that record, it’s Deontay Wilder. He’s fought eight times and we’ve seen the progression of his skills.
“I can’t think of a better way to kick off our year than with this doubleheader of heavyweight title fights. For each of these four fighters on this SHOWTIME card, Saturday night represents a lifetime of work and their dream of being heavyweight champion. I’m convinced we’re going to have two memorable fights that will add to the great history of SHOWTIME.
“We have such confidence in this card we’re doing something unprecedented. Not only is it a part of our Free Preview Weekend, but we’re putting the entire telecast on the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube Channel. There’s no excuse for anyone to miss it.”
BRETT YORMARK, CEO of Barclays Center
“Barclays Center is in the big event business and it doesn’t get any bigger than hosting two heavyweight world championship fights Saturday night. Brooklyn has a great history with heavyweights but it’s been a long time. Deontay is the perfect person to bring this tradition back to Brooklyn. He’s confident, tenacious and has a big personality. He’s made to fight in Brooklyn.
“Wilder versus Artur Szpilka is the matchup Brooklyn has been waiting for. The Fort Greene section of Brooklyn has a tremendous Polish population and Artur will have a big rooting section on Saturday night.
“This will be our sixteenth event and I expect 2016 to be our biggest year ever. This is certainly an exciting way to kick off boxing at Barclays for 2016.”
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Barclays Center’s BROOKLYN BOXING™ programming platform is presented by AARP.  For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @BronzeBomber, @Szpilka_Artur, @LouDiBella, @BarclaysCenter, @WarriorsBoxingPromand @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports,www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment, www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter