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Tag Archives: boxing
BRYANT JENNINGS VS. LUIS ORTIZ TICKETS ON SALE TODAY, NOVEMBER 13 AT 10 AM ET
Tickets Start at $25!
LOS ANGELES (Nov. 13) – Tickets for the WBA Interim Heavyweight World Championship showdown between Bryant “By-By” Jennings (19-1, 10 KOs) and Luis “The Real King Kong” Ortiz (23-0, 20 KOs) will go on sale today, Friday, November 13 at 10:00 a.m. ET.
The heavyweight 12-round title clash will take place on Saturday, Dec. 19 at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, NY and is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Gary Shaw Productions. Featured as the co-main event of the night and presented by Top Rank in association with Peltz Boxing Promotions and Warriors Boxing Promotions; Nicholas “Axe Man” Walters(26-0, 21 KOs) returns to the ring to take on heavy-handed contender Jason “El Canito” Sosa (18-1-3, 14 KOs) in a 10-round junior lightweight fight. The action-packed night will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark beginning at 10:15 p.m. ET/PT.
The exciting night will also feature an HBO Latino® Boxing event, presented in association by Star Boxing and headlined by Cuban light heavyweight contender Yunieski Gonzalez (16-1, 12 KOs) fighting out of Miami, Florida taking on the undefeated power-puncher, Vyacheslav “Lion Heart – Chigonskyy” Shabranskyy (14-0, 12 KOs) of Los Angeles in a 10-round light heavyweight battle. Plus, former world title contender, “King” Gabriel Rosado (21-9, 13 KOs) of Philadelphia makes his highly anticipated return to the ring against former IBF Welterweight World Champion Joshua “Grand Master” Clottey (39-4, 22 KOs) of Accra, Ghana, in a 10-round junior middleweight co-main event. The HBO Latino Boxing event will start at 12:15 a.m. ET/PT (tape delay) or immediately following the HBO Boxing After Dark telecast.
Tickets for the Dec. 19 HBO Boxing After Dark and HBO Latino Boxing event start at $25, $35 and$60 for ringside seats plus applicable fees and are available at the Turning Stone Resort Box Office by calling 315-361-7469 or online at Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com).
Jennings vs. Ortiz is a 12-round heavyweight bout fight for the WBA Interim Heavyweight Title presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Gary Shaw Productions. Walters vs. Sosa is a 10-round junior lightweight bout presented by Top Rank in association with Peltz Boxing Promotions and Warriors Boxing Promotions. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., and the HBO Boxing After Dark telecast begins live at 10:15 p.m. ET/PT.
Gonzalez vs. Shabranskyy, is a 10-round light heavyweight bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Star Boxing. The HBO Latino Boxing telecast begins at 12:15 a.m. ET/PT (tape delay).
Host of the event, the Oneida Nation’s Turning Stone Resort Casino continues to distinguish itself as a premier destination for blockbuster boxing matches. The December 19 fight will mark Turning Stone Resort Casino’s 16th nationally-televised boxing event in less than two years, cementing the resort as a mecca for knockout televised fights. Located in Upstate New York, the four-season destination resort offers world-class entertainment and gaming, award-winning accommodations, a diverse mix of restaurants, luxury spas and several nightlife options.
Professional media requesting credentials for the December 19 fight must contact Kelly Abdo, Turning Stone Resort Casino Public Relations Manager at (315) 366.9291 orkelly.abdo@turningstone.com.
For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.grayshawproductions.com,www.toprank.com,www.hbo.com/
Featherweight Miguel Flores Scores Spectacular 2nd Round KO Remains Undefeated
Photos by Premier Boxing Champions (PBC)
HOUSTON, TX (November 12, 2015) – Undefeated featherweight, Miguel Flores, improved to (18-0, 9 KOs) with an amazing 2nd round knockout against Alfred Tetteh (23-5-1, 20), a bout that took place at the Austin City Music Hall in Austin, Texas this past Tuesday, November 10, 2015.
Fighting live on Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) TOE-TO-TOE TUESDAYS on Fox Sports 1, Miguel showed everyone watching on television, and those in attendance, that he’s a force to be reckoned with in the featherweight division. With the win Flores talks about his future.
“I’m ready to get back in the ring as soon as possible,” said Miguel Flores. “I want to thank PBC and Fox Sports for giving me the opportunity to fight on television. Right now my main focus is to keep the momentum going by staying active in the gym while I wait for my next fight. I have a great team around me and I know I’m getting the experience I’ll need to take my career to the next level. The featherweight division is loaded with talent and I’m looking to make a name for myself with each victory.”
DARLEYS PEREZ SPEAKS ON UPCOMING TITLE DEFENSE
Photo by Team Perez
COLOMBIA (November 12, 2015) – WBA lightweight world champion, Darleys Perez (32-1-1, 20 KOs), who’s co-promoted by Gary Shaw Productions and Thompson Boxing, is looking forward to his highly anticipated rematch with Anthony Crolla (29-4-3, 11 KOs). Perez returns to hostile territory at the Manchester Arena in the United Kingdom on November 21, 2015, the same location where the first fight took place.
Perez, who retained the WBA crown against Crolla with a majority draw on July 18, 2015, knows he must be at his optimum best to retain his title, especially on foreign land. With an expected crowd of 12,000 fans routing against him, Perez feels confident he can pull off another win with his back against the wall.
“I’m a true champion who never backs down from adversity,” said Darleys Perez who hails from Colombia. “Crolla is a very skilled fighter with a lot of heart and I know he’s coming for my title. He’ll have his entire country on behind him when we fight, but that doesn’t faze me. My goal is to end the fight early with a knockout, but if we go the distance, I have complete faith that I will get a fair ruling from the judges in the UK.
In the first fight Perez was deducted two points for low blows, one in the 11th eleventh and the other in the 12th round. This time Perez is well aware of the mistakes he made in their last outing and vows not to repeat those errors.
“There is no doubt that I would have won the fight by unanimous decision if I didn’t get deducted for those low blows.” Perez continued. “It was my fault and I won’t make the same mistakes in the rematch. I’m hungrier now then I’ve ever been and nothing is going to stop me from bringing back my title to my countrymen of Colombia.”
“It’s clear to me that Darleys Perez is very focused for this fight.” said Gary Shaw. “He knows what’s on the line and the many doors that will open up for him with a victory. I’ve had fighters come out victorious when they’ve traveled to other countries and fought for world titles. Perez already proved he can get a fair shake with a gritty performance. The judging now a days is fairer then it’s ever been. When Darleys meets Crolla, only one man will come out victorious, and I believe it will be Perez.”
“This is an incredible fight that matches two world class boxers against each other,” said Ken Thompson, president of Thompson Boxing. “That Perez and Crolla have a controversial history only makes this fight even more exciting. We believe Perez will fight to his full potential and come away with an undisputed win and retain his world championship.”
Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade Ready to participate in WBC tournament
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YUNIESKI GONZALEZ VS. VYACHESLAV SHABRANSKYY TO HEADLINE FULL CARD FROM TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO IN VERONA, NY SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19 ON HBO LATINO® BOXING
GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS TO CLOSE OUT 2015 WITH BANG
LOS ANGELES (November 11, 2015) – Golden Boy Promotions in association with Star Boxing plans to feature a full card on HBO Latino Boxing ahead of its previously announced HBO Boxing After Dark® card on Saturday, December 19 to end the year with a full night of exciting matchups from Turning Stone Resort Casino, in Verona, New York.
In the featured main event of the HBO Latino Boxing card, Yunieski Gonzalez (16-1, 12 KOs) of Miami will take on the ruthless and undefeated Vyacheslav “Lion Heart – Chigonskyy” Shabranskyy (14-0, 12 KOs) of Los Angeles in a 10-round light heavyweight attraction. Former world title contender, “King” Gabriel Rosado (21-9, 13 KOs) of Philadelphia will face former IBF Welterweight World Champion Joshua “Grand Master” Clottey (39-4, 22 KOs) of Accra, Ghana, in an exhilarating 10-round junior middleweight co-main event, on the HBO Latino service starting at12:15 a.m. ET/PT (tape delay) or immediately following the HBO Boxing After Dark telecast.
As previously announced and part of the HBO Boxing After Dark telecast, heavyweight titan Bryant “By-By” Jennings (19-1, 10 KOs) will face recently crowned WBA Interim Heavyweight belt holder Luis “The Real King Kong” Ortiz (23-0, 20 KOs) in a 12-round championship fight. In the co-main event of the HBO Boxing After Dark telecast, Nicholas “Axe Man” Walters (26-0, 21 KOs), returns to the ring to take on granite-fisted Top-10 contender Jason “El Canito” Sosa (18-1-3, 14 Kos) in a 10-round junior lightweight rumble. The HBO Boxing After Dark telecast begins live at 10:15 p.m. ET/PT.
“This time I’m not leaving it up to the judges to decide whether I win or not!” said Yunieski Gonzalez. “I want to thank my Promoter, Joe DeGuardia, and HBO, for getting me right back on the HBO family.”
“I am excited about fighting Gonzalez on HBO Latino on Dec. 19,” said Vyacheslav Shabranskyy. “I respect him as a fighter and I’m happy for the opportunity to close the year as part of an event of this magnitude. I have been working very hard my whole career and I’m ready for this fight. I want to thank my team for all the hard work and faith in me. I am a man of few words I rather let my gloves do all the talking when it comes to boxing.”
“Golden Boy Promotions is closing out one of our most successful years to date with a big bang by staging these two major cards on the same night,” said Golden Boy Promotions Chairman and CEO Oscar De La Hoya. “With Gabriel Rosado and Vyacheslav Shabranskyy, you get excitement, action, and two fighters that will not back down in the ring. I can’t think of a better way to close out 2015 than with these fighters headlining cards that will be explosive.”
“I am truly looking forward to Dec. 19 and pleased that Yunieski Gonzalez and Joshua Clottey are both back on the HBO family of networks,” said Joe DeGuardia, President of Star Boxing. “Both are in compelling fights on a spectacular night of boxing for fans. I expect both of our guys to emerge victorious in exciting matches.”
“I have been eager to get back in the ring,” said Gabriel Rosado. “I have been training and staying in shape and my last few fights on BKB have given me the confidence to return with a vengeance. I plan to show everyone that I have what it takes to become a world champion. Fernando Vargas my new trainer believes in me, and I feel he’s the trainer that’s going to take me to the next level. We’re having a great camp, I’m learning a lot of new things that will show Dec. 19.
“I am very excited to be on HBO again and am very grateful to my promoter Joe DeGuardia and HBO and Golden Boy for the opportunity,” said Joshua Clottey. “I am looking forward to fighting Gabe Rosado who I know is a very tough fighter. I know it will be a very good fight which I am confident I will win.”
Originally from Pinar del Rio, Cuba, and now fighting out of Miami, Florida, Yunieski Gonzalez has been a feared contender in the light heavyweight division. Having suffered his first loss to world title contender Jean Pascal in July, Gonzalez is eager to prove he has what it takes to be considered in the world title contention. Previously, Gonzalez held a spotless record, undefeated since his professional debut in 2010 and holding victories over Brad Austin, Edgar Perez and Jaison Palomeque. Now, the power puncher will be looking for a victory against the undefeated Shabranskyy when he headlines the HBO Latino Boxing event on Dec. 19.
Ukrainian banger Vyacheslav “Lion Heart-Chingonskyy” Shabranskyy, who is now fighting out of Los Angeles, is an exciting light heavyweight contender whose knockout power gets fans cheering every time he steps into the ring. Currently the owner of the USNBC Light Heavyweight Title, Shabranskyy is also a former two-time world champion in kickboxing, which he began at the age of 13, Shabranskyy turned to boxing when he was 16, and the sweet science has been his home ever since. On September 20, 2012, Shabranskyy debuted with a first round knockout of Bryan McGlory, and he has kept his record perfect, winning all 14 of his bouts, 12 by knockout. Included on his victorious slate are wins over fellow prospects Emmanuel Wright, D’Quan Morgan, and Rafael Valenzuela. 2015 has been a busy year for Shabransky as he has taken on and defeated Garrett Wilson, Fabiano Pena and Paul Parker.
“King” Gabriel Rosado is one of the most respected and popular middleweight fighters in the world. The Philadelphia native is known for his fearlessness in the ring, a true warrior who lives up to his claim to be willing to fight anyone, anytime at any place. A knockout victor over the likes of Jesus Soto Karass, Sechew Powell and Charles Whittaker, Rosado has also shared the ring with world champions Gennady Golovkin, Peter Quillin and David Lemieux. Eager for the opportunity to get back in the world title game, Rosado will be coming into the ring with a vengeance on Dec. 19.
Currently ranked as one of the top junior middleweights in world by the WBC, WBA and IBF, Joshua “Grand Master” Clottey is a Ghanaian powerhouse closing in on title shot. A former IBF welterweight champion who owns wins over Zab Judah, Diego Corrales and Jose Luis Cruz, the 37-year-old has four straight wins since his decision losses to boxing greats Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto. He most notably won the WBA International Super Welterweight title with a 12-round victory over Anthony Mundine in April 2014 and since then delivered a great performance against Jorge Silva on May 9, 2015.
Gonzalez vs. Shabranskyy, is a 10-round light heavyweight bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Star Boxing. The HBO Latino Boxing telecast begins at 12:15 a.m. ET/PT (tape delay).
Jennings vs. Ortiz is a 12-round heavyweight bout fight for the WBA Interim Heavyweight Title presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Gary Shaw Productions. Walters vs. Sosa is a 10-round junior lightweight bout presented by Top Rank in association with Peltz Boxing Promotions and Warriors Boxing Promotions. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., and the HBO Boxing After Dark telecast begins live at 10:15 p.m. ET/PT.
Host of the event, the Oneida Nation’s Turning Stone Resort Casino continues to distinguish itself as a premier destination for blockbuster boxing matches. The December 19 fight will mark Turning Stone Resort Casino’s 16th nationally-televised boxing event in less than two years, cementing the resort as a mecca for knockout televised fights. Located in Upstate New York, the four-season destination resort offers world-class entertainment and gaming, award-winning accommodations, a diverse mix of restaurants, luxury spas and several nightlife options.
Professional media requesting credentials for the December 19 fight must contact Kelly Abdo, Turning Stone Resort Casino Public Relations Manager at (315) 366.9291 or kelly.abdo@turningstone.com.
Tickets will go on sale soon. Additional ticket information will be announced soon.
For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.grayshawproductions.com,www.toprank.com,www.hbo.com/
Provodnikov seeks vengeance in 2016 Provodnikov inferno wants another crack at “Fireman” Bradley
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Siberia, Russia (November 12, 2015)– After his dominant performance this pastSaturday when he stopped previously undefeated Jesus Alvarez Rodriguez, former WBO junior welterweight champion, Ruslan Provodnikov is ready for a huge 2016 as he targets the best fighters at junior welterweight & welterweight.
At the top of his list is WBO Welterweight champion, Timothy Bradley.
Provodnikov stopped Rodriguez in 4 rounds in the main event at the 7th Edition Monte-Carlo Boxing Bonanza Night of Champions and is looking for the biggest fish to fry as he embarks on the new year.
The fight was his maiden voyage with new trainer Joel Diaz. “This was a good win for me. I felt confident and my defense already felt better. I know that in the next camp things will come together for me and Joel’s training. My goal for next year is to avenge my losses to Lucas Matthysse, Mauricio Herrera, Timothy Bradley and Chris Algieri!”, said Provodnikov. Said Diaz, “This was a fight to get him back after the tough fights. We had a strategy of working on defense and body punches. He did a little more of that then he did in previous fights. It will take a couple of fights to get him to where I want.”
“After the fight he said he wanted to redeem his losses to Matthysse, Bradley and Herrera. I like that, and there are other opponents such as Danny Garcia. That would be a great fight because they are both heavy hitters.
But Bradley is at the top of the list as a rematch of the 2013 Fight of the Year and would be the most desirable fight for the boxing fans.
Bradley, who was trained for two decades under Diaz, also won on Saturday as he stopped Brandon Rios in 9 rounds under the guidance of new trainer Teddy Atlas.
“Teddy is a great motivator, and he brings a lot of energy to the corner.”
One of the memorable moments from Saturday’s Bradley – Rios encounter was a spirited Atlas tirade where he was comparing Bradley to a fireman.
“Well if Bradley is a fireman, it is Ruslan that brings the inferno to the fight. If they rematch it would be a tough fight. After the first fight, everybody knows that Bradley was scarred from the bout. Bradley was damaged and in a rematch, that is what Bradley would be thinking about, and he would not be focused. Ruslan would take the initiative and knock him out”
“Ruslan looked great. The collaboration between Ruslan and Joel Diaz is going well,” said Provodnikov’s promoter Artie Pelullo.
“This win sets everything up for a big 2016. He indicated to me that he wants to avenge his losses and also seek the biggest fights. I think he is in prime position to do just that. I expect to have him in a big fight in the first quarter of 2016. “
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MARIO BARRIOS PASSES STIFF TEST; IMPROVES TO 13-0, 7 KOs
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WBC & RING MAGAZINE MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION MIGUEL COTTO INTERNATIONAL MEDIA CONFERENCE CALL MP3
EIGHT UNBEATEN FIGHTERS SQUARE OFF ON SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION AS DIBELLA ENTERTAINMENT CLOSES OUT 2015 WITH CAN’T-MISS QUADRUPLEHEADER, FRIDAY, DEC. 11 FROM BAYOU CITY EVENT CENTER IN HOUSTON
Local Favorite Regis Prograis Headlines Against
Fellow Top Prospect in Main Event
Live on SHOWTIME® at 10 p.m. ET/PT
NEW YORK (Nov. 12, 2015) – ShoBox: The New Generation returns on Friday, Dec. 11 live onSHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT), with a quadrupleheader featuring eight undefeated prospects with a combined record of 92-0-3 in the final ShoBox telecast of 2015.
Headlining the DiBella Entertainment and Savarese Promotions-promoted event at the Bayou City Event Center in Houston will be talented 140-pound local prospect Regis Prograis (15-0, 12 KOs), who faces Abel Ramos (14-0-2, 9 KOs) in the 10-round super lightweight main event.
In the co-feature, Bryant Cruz (16-0, 8 KOs) takes on Wesley Ferrer (10-0, 5 KOs) in an eight-round lightweight bout.
Rounding out the telecast, fast-rising Ivan Baranchyk (8-0, 7 KOs) faces Andrew Ruiz (9-0, 5 KOs) in an eight-round super lightweight bout and Steed Woodall (8-0-1, 5 KOs) and Steve Rolls (12-0, 6 KOs) clash in an eight-round middleweight match.
“I am thrilled to present such a tremendous card for SHOWTIME on Dec. 11 featuring eight unbeaten up-and-coming prospects with a combined record of 92-0-3,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “With each boxer looking to reach the next level, these types of matchups are exactly what ShoBox is all about.”
“I’m excited to team up with DiBella Entertainment and SHOWTIME on this great event Dec. 11,” promoter Lou Savarese said. “We can’t wait to feature these eight young, undefeated fighters in their toughest tests to date at Houston’s premier venue, the Bayou City Event Center.”
Tickets are on sale and are priced at $40 GA, $60 GA, $150 Table Seats & $200 VIP Ringside. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.savaresepromotions.com or by calling (713) 658-0299.
To date, 135 fighters have suffered their initial defeats on ShoBox. With eight undefeated fighters on the card, four more O’s figure to go on Dec. 11. The question is, which four?
Prograis vs. Ramos
Last Aug. 7, Prograis made his ShoBox debut with an impressive eight-round decision over then-undefeated Amos Cowart. The hard-hitting Prograis landed an impressive 381 out of 909 total punches thrown, the 18th-highest connect total for a junior welterweight fight counted by CompuBox over eight rounds.
Originally from New Orleans, Prograis and his family have called Houston home since relocating following Hurricane Katrina. The bout on Dec. 11 will be Prograis’ first in Houston since June 2014 and he is expected to draw a raucous crowd. The highly regarded Prograis has tremendous power and speed, but if he’s going to compete against the elite of the 140-pound division, he must first get by Ramos.
“I want to thank the cities of New Orleans and Houston — New Orleans for making me who I am and Houston for taking me in and making me feel at home,” Prograis said. “I am glad to be fighting back in Houston; this truly is my second home. The city took me in as one of their own after I moved here during Hurricane Katrina. Houston is close enough to New Orleans and I am expecting a great turnout come fight night. My opponent is undefeated and that’s all I need to know. He’s coming to win, and I am sure he will be tough. I am preparing for this fight just like I do all of my fights, with the mindset that this is the toughest fight I will ever have. Come Dec. 11, you will see a spectacular performance.”
Like Prograis, the 24-year-old Ramos was a stellar amateur, winning the bronze medal at the 2010 U.S. Boxing National Championships before turning pro the following year. Ramos ran his record to a perfect 8-0, and then met fellow undefeated prospect Maurice Hooker (currently rated No. 10 by the WBO) onShoBox in January 2014. Ramos and Hooker slugged it out for eight rounds, battling to a majority draw in one of the most exciting fights on ShoBox that year. The only other blemish on Ramos’ record is another majority draw against Levan Ghvamichava (15-1-1, 12 KOs). Ramos has reeled off four consecutive victories with three by knockout, including an impressive second-round TKO over previously once-beaten Roberto Ramirez in June. The bout against Prograis will be his first since signing an exclusive promotional agreement with DiBella Entertainment. Ramos knows that a victory over Prograis will show the boxing world that he is one of the most talented up-and-comers in the division.
“I am very excited to have signed with Lou DiBella,’’ Ramos said. “He’s guided so many fighters to the championship level and I look forward to being added to that list. Right now though, all of my focus is onDec. 11 and Regis Prograis. He is unbeaten just like me. I am sure he will be my toughest fight, just as I will be his. I am ready to rise to the occasion and show the boxing world I am one of the best in the division.’’
Cruz vs. Ferrer
Both fighters in the co-feature, Cruz and Ferrer, are New York natives. Cruz was a 2012 National Golden Gloves runner-up while Ferrer (a 2009 and 2013 Golden Gloves champion) competed at the 2012 USA Boxing National Championships, defeating 2011 National champion Semajay Thomas. The matchup features two exciting come-forward boxers aren’t afraid to mix it up. Cruz, now living and training in Houston under the tutelage of Ronnie Shields, has shown vast improvement since linking up with the renowned trainer. The bout will be the ShoBox debut for both young prospects, who will be looking to show they have what it takes to compete at the next level.
“I finally have the chance to show the world who I am and what I am about,” Cruz said. “I am excited to be stepping in there with another undefeated fighter who is going to bring the absolute best out of me. I have been working hard for an opportunity like this and it is finally here.’’
“I will be extremely focused and go in there to do what I do best,” Ferrer said. “I know Bryant Cruz personally and he is a great fighter, but I have a job to do and will not let him take away the victory from me.”
Baranchyk vs. Ruiz
Prospects Baranchyk and Ruiz could produce “the fight of the night” in a matchup that has the makings of a slugfest. The Ukrainian Baranchyk, 22, has been impressive since arriving in the U.S. in 2014. He’s been on a tear this year, going 5-0 with five knockouts, all coming in three rounds or less. Baranchyk, a stablemate of Sergiy Derevyanchenko and Ievgen Khytrov, is looking impress when he makes his ShoBoxdebut against his toughest opponent to date in former nationally ranked amateur standout and now Robert Garcia-trained Andrew Ruiz.
“I couldn’t be more excited about this opportunity,” Baranchyk said. “I’m looking to follow in the footsteps of my stablemates Sergiy and Ievgen, who have had some of their best performances on ShoBox. I know that Ruiz is coming to fight, and he is going to be the toughest opponent I’ve faced, but my dream is to become a world champion and there is nothing and no one that is going to get in the way of that.”
Ruiz was one of the most sought-after amateurs coming out of the West Coast when he turned pro at 18 in 2012. After his first year and half as a pro, Ruiz had gone a perfect 7-0, getting major exposure fighting on a number of high level cards, included Pacquiao-Bradley I. Following a victory in August 2013, Ruiz took a break from the sport as he dealt with managerial and promotional issues. Ruiz signed with DBE last January and made his anticipated ring return in February, shaking off a bit of ring rust to get his career back on track. Ruiz, 22, last fought in August, scoring a sixth-round TKO over Andres Bustamante, his fifth knockout in nine career victories. Ruiz is looking to prove that he is the top prospect that so many thought he was when he takes on the dangerous Baranchyk.
“Baranchyk was an accomplished amateur and is currently undefeated, but I am ready for the challenge,” Ruiz said. “This is my shot to prove myself and I’m not going to let it slip away.”
Woodall vs. Rolls
The Woodall-Rolls bout pits two former amateur standouts in their toughest pro fight to date. Woodall was a five-time England National champion, two-time British champion and a quarter-finalist in the World Youth Championships before relocating to the U.S. and embarking on his professional career at the age of 19. Now 21, Woodall has relocated his training camp to Houston and linked up with world-renowned trainer Ronnie Shields. The always-exciting Woodall is an aggressive come-forward banger with good power in both hands. Woodall made his debut under Shields last Oct. 7 in New York City and looked sensational leading Shields to believe that he has what it takes to one day become a world champion.
“I have a great team that is working with me day after day,” Woodall said. “I have had the chance to spar some of the best fighters in all of boxing, including Edwin Rodriguez and Jermall Charlo, and I am looking forward to putting all that work into action come Dec.11. I’ve been putting in the work in the gym and now is my chance to prove it in the ring.”
As an amateur, Rolls competed on both the 2009 and 2010 Canadian National Boxing team, compiling an impressive 83-14 record. In September 2009, he went to the 2009 International Boxing Association (AIBA) Men’s Boxing Championship in Milan, Italy, where he lost in the round of 16 to 2008 Olympic bronze medalist Vijender Singh of India. Rolls, who will make his ShoBox debut, is coming off a unanimous decision last Sept. 19 in his first scheduled eight-round bout.
“Come fight night, I will be more than ready,” Rolls said. “I am looking forward to putting on a great performance in my national TV debut and showing the world I am a force to be reckoned with in the middleweight division.”
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 63 fighters who have appeared on ShoBox 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.