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Tag Archives: boxing
Boxing Hits the Big Screen as Miguel Cotto vs. Canelo Alvarez is Presented Live in Select U.S. Cinemas This November
Classic Puerto Rico vs. Mexico Battle Comes to Movie Theaters
Live from The Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas on November 21 Only
DENVER – October 26, 2015 – Boxing fans across the country will have a ringside seat for a highly-anticipated clash of two titans when Fathom Events, Roc Nation Sports, Golden Boy Promotions, Miguel Cotto Promotions and Canelo Promotions present Miguel Cotto vs. Canelo Alvarez, the battle between Puerto Rico’s most decorated fighter Cotto (40-4, 33 KOs) and Mexican superstar Canelo (45-1-1, 32 KOs) live in select theaters nationwide on Saturday, November 21 at 9:00 p.m. ET/ 8:00 p.m. CT / 7:00 p.m. MT / 6:00 p.m. PT.
The highly-anticipated 12-round fight will be broadcast live to select theaters across the U.S., from the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Miguel Cotto, reigning WBC, Ring Magazine and Lineal Middleweight World Champion, will go head-to-head with Canelo Alvarez, former WBC and WBA Super Welterweight World Champion, in what is shaping up to be 2015’s most exciting fight and the biggest battle in the history of the famed Puerto Rico vs. Mexico rivalry.
Tickets for theater screenings of Cotto vs. Canelo can be purchased online by visiting www.FathomEvents.com or at participating theater box offices. Fans throughout the U.S. will be able to enjoy the event in select movie theaters through Fathom’s Digital Broadcast Network. For a complete list of theater locations visit the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change).
“As I have always said, during my whole career, I am here to fight the best names and the best fighters,” said Miguel Cotto. “This will be another chapter in my career and I will be ready for him. Fans will enjoy a real fight, another classic battle in the Puerto Rico vs. Mexico rivalry.”
“There’s a great history between Mexico and Puerto Rico and this is going to be a historic fight, another one for the storybooks,” said Canelo Alvarez. “I have a lot of pride to be fighting for my country. It’s going to be a great night.”
Miguel Cotto (40-4, 33 KOs) is the first native of Puerto Rico to become a world champion in four different weight classes and is hailed as a national hero and the successor of Felix “Tito” Trinidad as the island’s most notable boxer. During his extraordinary career, Cotto represented Puerto Rico in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, and is the former WBO Junior Welterweight World Champion, the former WBA Welterweight World Champion, the former WBO Welterweight World Champion and former WBA Super Welterweight World Champion. Cotto now looks to further his illustrious resume with a win over Canelo.
Returning to the ring hungrier than ever with his high-energy fighting style and charisma, 25-year-old Mexican boxing superstar and pride of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, Canelo Alvarez (45-1-1, 32 KOs) is on a mission to position himself as the most popular boxer of his generation. With a win against Cotto, the former WBC and WBA Super Welterweight World Champion Canelo could break into the top pound-for-pound list.
Roc Nation President and Chief of Branding and Strategy Michael Yormark said, “Roc Nation and Golden Boy share a passion for creating the biggest fights in history. We want to give boxing fans what they deserve: a show of epic proportions.”
“Tickets for boxing’s most exciting event of the year, Cotto vs. Canelo, went quickly because this is a fight that guarantees drama and action from start to finish,” said Golden Boy Promotions Chairman and CEO Oscar De La Hoya. “That is what makes this match up ‘The Fight for the Fans,’ and we want to be able to give fans that can’t make it to Las Vegas an exciting way to watch the fight and feel like they are in the arena to see the action up close and in person.”
Fathom Events CEO John Rubey said, “Over the past several years, boxing fans have filled movie theaters across the country to see the world’s biggest boxing superstars square off in the ring. With Cotto vs. Canelo being so full of rich history and rivalry, what better place for those fans to witness this historic bout than up on the big screen!”
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WBA FEATHERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION JESUS CUELLAR TO FACE PUERTO RICO’S JONATHAN OQUENDO SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5 FROM BARCLAYS CENTER IN BROOKLYN LIVE ON SHOWTIME®
BROOKLYN (Oct. 26, 2015) – WBA Featherweight World Champion Jesus Cuellar (27-1, 21 KOs) will take on exciting Puerto Rican contender Jonathan “Polvo” Oquendo (26-4, 16 KOs) Saturday, December 5 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT).
The Cuellar vs. Oquendo world title bout will precede the eagerly anticipated SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® main event which features an all-Brooklyn battle between middleweight world champion Daniel “The Miracle Man” Jacobs (30-1, 27 KOs) and former world champion Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (32-0-1, 23 KOs) with the middleweight crown and Brooklyn bragging rights on the line.
“I am glad to be defending my world title once again this year against a solid fighter like Jonathan Oquendo, who is fresh off a great win over Jhonny Gonzalez,” said Cuellar. “Oquendo comes forward all the time, so it will be a war. It will be a great card in the borough of Brooklyn and on SHOWTIME, so I have to deliver a great show. I have to get a big win so that I can get Leo Santa Cruz in the ring with me.”
“I’m very happy about this opportunity because it is my first world title fight and I’m going to fight in New York for the first time in my career with the support of all the Puerto Ricans there,” said Oquendo. “After my victory over Jhonny Gonzalez, I rested several days and then started training for this important fight. I know that Cuellar beat ‘JuanMa’ Lopez and I want to avenge my friend and fellow Puerto Rican’s loss. I’m training hard to become the next world champion for Puerto Rico.”
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, start at $50, not including applicable fees, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visitingwww.ticketmaster.com, www.barclayscenter.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center.
A fast-rising star out of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Cuellar looks to make it 11 victories in a row when he defends his 126-pound title against Oquendo on December 5. His power in both hands has helped him deliver seven knockouts in his last nine victories including his most recent performance, an eighth-round knockout of former world champion Vic Darchinyan in June. The 28-year-old won his world title with a unanimous decision over Claudio Marrero in his U.S. debut in August 2013. He went on to defend the title against Rico Ramos, Juan Manuel Lopez and Ruben Tamayo.
A top contender from Vera Baja, Puerto Rico Oquendo has won 12 of his last 14 fights. His most recent victory was his most impressive as he dropped and defeated former three-division world champion Jhonny Gonzalez in September in the pay-per-view opener for “HIGH STAKES: Mayweather vs. Berto.” The 32-year-old also owns victories over Joe Luis Araiza, Eden Sonsona, Alejandro Montiel and top prospect Guillermo Avila. He will fight in New York for the first time as a pro when on December 5.
Barclays Center’s BROOKLYN BOXING™ programming platform is presented by AARP. For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @DanielJacobsTKO, @KidChocolate, @LouDiBella, @BarclaysCenter and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports,www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment and www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter.
ROB BRANT IMPROVES TO 18-0 WITH HARD-FOUGHT 10-ROUND MAJORITY DECISION OVER LOUIS ROSE IN MAIN EVENT OF SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION TRIPLEHEADER
Unbeaten Heavyweight Jarrell Miller Blasts Ahror Muralimov in Third Round, Samuel Clarkson Demolishes Lavern Harvell in Two Rounds From the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona
Catch Replay Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHO EXTREME®
Click HERE To Download Photos
Photo Credit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME
PHOENIX (Oct. 23, 2015) – On a night when five of the six fighters were making their debuts on ShoBox: The New Generation, newcomersRob “Bravo” Brant and Jarrell ‘Big Baby” Miller remained undefeated and the one ShoBox returnee, Samuel “The Main Event” Clarkson, won his seventh in a row Friday live on SHOWTIME at the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix.
Brant (18-0, 11 KOs), of St. Paul, Minn., withstood a late, sustained rally from Louis “The Unknown” Rose (13-3, 5 KOs), of Los Angeles, to win a close, hard-fought 10-round majority decision in the ShoBox main event.
In a pair of explosive matches in the scheduled eight-round co-features,undefeated heavyweight Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller (15-0-1, 13 KOs), of Brooklyn, N.Y., knocked out Ahror “Aha” Muralimov (14-2, 11 KOs), of Houston, Texas via Uzbekistan in the third round and southpaw Samuel “The Main Event” Clarkson (17-3, 11 KOs), of Cedar Hills, Texas, dropped Lavarn “Baby Bowe” Harvell (15-2 8 KOs), of Atlantic City three times en route to an impressive second-round TKO.
Brant, who won the majority of the early rounds, triumphed by the scores of 96-94 twice and 95-95. There were no knockdowns in the close, competitive match that could have gone either way. In the toughest fight to date for both boxers, Brant was more accurate while Rose was much busier and more active.
“Credit to Brant for taking a fight that virtually everyone thought would be close and competitive, and it turned out to be exactly that,’’ ShoBoxanalyst Steve Farhood said afterward. “And credit Rose for coming on in the second half of the fight and being a threat to yet another undefeated prospect. Both fighters fought well, and in the case of Brant he needs to learn from this experience, throw a few more left hooks and grow as a prospect. And only time will tell if he grows from this experience.”
Brant, making his fifth start of the year, went 10 rounds for the first time in a pro career that began in November 2010.
“I knew it was going to be a tough fight,’’ said Brant, the 2010 National Golden Gloves champion at 178 pounds and a member of the U.S. national boxing team who’d won his previous five fights by knockout. “Every time I thought I had him hurt he would come back. I had to keep my composure in there and stick to the game plan. I think my jab was key tonight. It really helped me keep the pace and set up my punches.
“In the second half I slowed the pace and picked my shots to win the fight. It was a great learning experience. I need to get right back in the gym and continue to progress.”
The defeat was a bitter one for Rose, who rose from being homeless six years ago into a legitimate prospect at 160 pounds.
“This is very disappointing, I really don’t feel like talking,’’ said Rose, who had beaten six undefeated fighters in a career that began in November 2011. “I thought I did enough to win. I had him backing up and hurt from the sixth round on. Obviously, I want a rematch.”
Miller, making his fifth start in 2015, stopped Muralimov with a single, devastating right hand to the chin at 1:03 in the third round of a fast-paced slugfest that featured give-and-take action during the first six minutes. Muralimov seemed to be getting the better of the exchanges in the first and Miller was getting off better during the second.
“I’m a warrior,’’ said Miller, a former professional kickboxer. “I want knockouts. I don’t want decisions. This was a tough guy tonight. Anybody that can take a smash in the mouth like he did and keep coming back shows that he came to win.
“I am willing and ready to fight any of the top heavyweights.’’
Muralimov, who got in his fair share of heavy shots, had success boxing and moving side to side. He worked the body well. Then, he got caught and that was that.
“He just beat me, what can I say. Of course, this is disappointing,’’ said Muralimov, who lost for a second straight time. “I was in great shape and thought I was ready. I know I should have continued to work the body more. ‘’
In the opening bout of the telecast, Clarkson dropped Harvell twice in the last minute of the first with right hooks before decking and finishing him with a left-right combo at 0:48 of the second.
“”I knew the knockout was coming, I just didn’t know when,’’ Clarkson said. “I think my straight left was the difference – it set up the big rights for me. We’ve been working on throwing straight shots instead of looping punches and it came together tonight.
“I take it one fight at a time, but I’m ready to get back in the ring and fight whoever they put in front of me.”
Harvell, who was fighting his first scheduled eight-rounder, had a two-fight winning streak end. “I feel fine. I’m good,’’ he said. “But this is very disappointing. Just to lose makes it hard.’’
The event was presented by Greg Cohen Promotions and Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions in association with Iron Boy Promotions, GH3 Promotions, Fight Card Promotions, Salita Promotions and Winner Take All Productions.
The ShoBox tripleheader will re-air this week as follows:
DAY CHANNEL
Tuesday, Oct. 27, 10 p.m. ET/PT SHOWTIME Extreme
Friday’s three-fight telecast will be available at SHOWTIME ON DEMAND beginning Saturday, Oct. 24.
Barry Tompkins called the ShoBox action from ringside with Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer was Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughanproducing 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.
BRYANT JENNINGS & LUIS ORTIZ TO BATTLE FOR THE WBA INTERIM HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19
FROM TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO, VERONA, NEW YORK TELEVISED LIVE ON HBO AFTER DARK®
LOS ANGELES (Oct. 23, 2015) – Two heavyweight titans will close out the 2015 boxing year with a bang on December 19, as former world title contender Bryant “By-By” Jennings (19-1, 10 KOs) takes on recently crowned WBA Interim Heavyweight belt holder Luis “The Real King Kong” Ortiz(23-0, 20 KOs) in a 12-round championship fight. The event will take place at Turning Stone Resort Casino, in Verona, New York and will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark.
“To headline an HBO event and fighting a former world title contender like Jennings is what I have been preparing my whole career for,” said Luis Ortiz. “I know that after this fight people will know that I deserve a shot at becoming the ‘Heavyweight Champion of the World.’ I think Jennings doesn’t even know what he’s stepping in to on the 19, I’m coming to make a statement. This fight is going to be an exciting stepping stone to achieve my dream.”
“With a mix of speed, power and amateur pedigree that is second-to-none, Luis Ortiz has quickly established himself as a force in the heavyweight division,” said Oscar De La Hoya, President and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “Luis is so hungry to continue his rise in the division that he has agreed to fight an enormously talented opponent in Bryant Jennings just two months after Luis’ destruction of Matias Vidondo to win the WBA Interim title. Boxing fans looking for a premiere heavyweight fight should make sure to tune in to HBO’s Boxing After Dark on December 19th.”
“It’s my pleasure to bring another great heavyweight showdown to the boxing fans with Bryant Jennings taking on an undefeated fighter like Luis Ortiz. The fans know that I have always, and will continue, to put on real competitive fights,” said Gary Shaw.
Shaw continued, “Jennings is a true professional who remains in phenomenal shape throughout the year. He showed in his last fight versus Klitschko that he belongs with the elite heavyweights and understands the challenges that lie ahead. Ortiz, who brings a high knockout ratio to the ring, will have his hands full, and Jennings is nothing like the fighter he just fought, whom he knocked out in the third round. Ortiz has never faced a challenge of a Philadelphia fighter like Bryant Jennings and he’s going to find out real quick that this is another level. Jennings is ready to continue his quest to become heavyweight champion with VADA testing agreed to by both promotional companies for this fight.”
“I’m excited to be getting back in the ring against Luis Ortiz, another big heavyweight,” said Bryant Jennings. “He’s coming off an impressive win and he thinks he’s at the top of his game. These are the typical type of opponents I like to showcase my skills against. I’ve come a long way since my last fight against Klitschko, and I have continued to train with a fierce intensity. When you suffer defeat for the first time you learn things about yourself you never knew. I’ve improved a great deal on all aspects of my game both mentally and physically. The world will see a great fight when I square off against Ortiz, that I can guarantee you. I’ll be driving the WBA belt back home to Philly.”
“This fight is between two evenly matched heavyweights, and that always has a purity to its mystique,” said Peter Nelson, vice president of programming for HBO Sports. “Jennings has proven to have heart in equal scale to what Ortiz has shown in power. On December 19, we will see a battle of wills.”
“We’re looking forward to hosting another exciting night of boxing at Turning Stone with HBO, Golden Boy Promotions and Gary Shaw Productions,” said Ray Halbritter, Oneida Nation Representative and Nation Enterprises CEO. “In three years, we’ve hosted 16 nationally-televised fights, distinguishing our resort as premier destination for world-class boxing.”
Luis “The Real King Kong” Ortiz had amassed nearly 350 wins before making his way to the United States to chase championship gold as a professional. Unbeaten in 25 bouts, the 36-year-old southpaw holds a knockout win over Monte Barrett and in June needed less than a round to dispatch Byron Polley. Ortiz was last seen on the undercard of Golovkin vs. Lemieux as part of the pay-per-view live telecast defeating Matias Ariel Vivdondo by third round knockout and gaining the WBA Interim Heavyweight World Title.
Hailed as one of the best heavyweight boxers in the sport, Bryant Jennings has faced some of the most feared fighters in the sport. In 2014 alone, Jennings defeated Mike Perez via split decision in July and Artur Szpilka via technical knockout in January. In 2013, Jennings passed his first career tested when he defeated Andrey Fedosov via sixth-round knockout in June. Most recently, Jennings was seen in the ring against the heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko in April, suffering his first defeat since his professional debut in 2010. Now, the titan is looking for redemption and another shot at world title stardom when he faces Ortiz for the WBA Interim Heavyweight Title.
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. 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 in early November. Additional ticket information will be announced soon.
For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.garyshawproductions.com,www.hbo.com/boxing and www.turningstone.com. Follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @GaryShawBoxing, @HBOBoxing, @TurningStone and become a fan on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/
Fight Network Presents Hard Knocks Fighting 46 LIVE, Golden Boy: Diaz Jr. vs. Tamayo this Friday, Oct. 23
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TORONTO (Oct. 22, 2015) — Fight Network, the world’s premier 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, presents an explosive doubleheader this Friday, Oct. 23, beginning with a live broadcast of Hard Knocks Fighting 46 at 11 p.m. ET, which emanates from Calgary, Canada’s Markin Macphail Centre. Then, at 1 a.m. ET, catch a short tape delayed presentation of Golden Boy Live! from Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif., headlined by undefeated featherweight sensation Joseph Diaz Jr. (17-0, 10 KOs) battling Mexican brawler Ruben Tamayo (23-6-4, 15 KOs) over 10 rounds.
Fight Network’s live Hard Knocks Fighting 46 broadcast will air nationwide in Canada, across the U.S. on Cablevision’s Optimum TV, Suddenlink Communications, Grande Communications, Shentel Cable and Armstrong Cable, and globally in over 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The Golden Boy Promotions telecast airs on Fight Network exclusively in Canada.
In the Hard Knocks Fighting 46 main event, Jesse Arnett (8-4) and Dimitri Waardenburg (11-6) vie for the promotion’s vacant bantamweight crown. In other featured bouts, Dia Grant (9-12) meets Curtis Demarce (14-13), Valeria Maejia (2-1) tangles with Lindsay Garbatt (2-1), Alexi Argyriou(2-0) looks to extend his perfect run against Mike O’Neill (5-24) and Pat Pytlik (1-0) throws down with Tiago Tavares (2-1).
Headlined by Diaz Jr. vs. Tamayo, Golden Boy Live will also feature Frankie “Pitbull” Gomez (18-0, 13 KOs) against Tijuana, Mexcio’s Jorge “Pantera” Silva (19-9-2, 15 KOs) in a 10-round welterweight affair.
The live action continues on Saturday, Oct. 24 at 4 p.m. ET, as Fight Network presents the live main card for UFC Fight Night™: Poirier vs. Duffy exclusively in Canada.
For a full listing of Fight Network’s broadcast schedule, please visit www.fightnetwork.com, follow us on Twitter @fightnet, become a fan on Facebook and visit us on Instagram @fightnet.
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Andrade makes strong statement in long overdue ring return
PROVIDENCE (October 22, 2015) – Undefeated super welterweight Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade (22-0, 15 KOs) returned to the ring last Saturday night for the first time in 16 months, stopping former South American champion Dario Fabian “El Gallo” Pucheta (20-3, 11 KOs) in the second round for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) International super welterweight championship.
The 27-year-old Andrade, who was stripped of his WBO world title for inactivity, hadn’t fought since his seventh-round knockout June 14, 2014 of then No. 1 mandatory contender Brian “The Lion” Rose (25-1-1, 7 KOs) in his first and only WBO title defense.
“It felt great,” Andrade spoke about being back in action. “I was ready, willing and able to do what I need and to prepare myself for any circumstances. I was in tip-top shape and on my game like I’d never left.”
“We’ve had a tough year but I learned more about Demetrius’ character in the past 14 months than I knew in the first 14 months,” Andrade’s manager Ed Farris noted. “He is the kind of fighter who comes along every 10 years, but he’s the kind of person that comes along once in a lifetime.”
Andrade, fighting out of Providence, enjoyed an advantage fighting at Mohegan Sun Arena, marking his first New England fight in more than three years. The gifted southpaw dropped Pucheta, who had never been stopped as a professional, twice in the opening round and closed the show with a powerful straight-left that put the over-matched Colombian on his back at the 50-second mark of the second round.
“I took advantage of my time off and used it wisely to get stronger,” Andrade explained, “I really worked hard with my strength and conditioning coach, who put together a good plan. I probably spent more time on (strength & conditioning) than boxing during my time off. I’m known as a slick boxer but I wanted to get strong so I don’t have to go 12 rounds unless I need to. I felt more power in camp, sparring and hitting the bag, and it showed Saturday night.”
Despite his relatively long hiatus from the ring, Andrade remains a world-class fighter, and he finally got a chance to remind fans of that this past Saturday. “I wanted to show everybody why I’m so avoided,” the 2008 U.S. Olympian commented, “and to make a statement that I’m the best in the 154-pound division. I’m here to stay! I wanted everybody to see what a great champion is all about, performance-wise, coming back from the situation I was in. I just want to stay busy and fight the best. We’re figuring out what’s going to be next.”
“Soon,” Farris concluded, “the rest of the boxing world will know that Demetrius Andrade is the best super welterweight in the world. Eventually, he will be the best middleweight as well. Believe me, Demetrius is going to have a defining fight with GGG (Gennady Golovkin) and then we will see who the best really is.”
Unconquered Middleweight Prospect Caleb Plant Returns Oct 31 in Houston
Photo By Lucas Noonan – PBC
NASHVILLE, TN (October 22, 2015) – Unconquered super-middleweight prospect, Caleb “Sweet-Hands” Plant (10-0, 8 KOs), returns to the ring October, 31, 2015 against an opponent TBA at theNRG Arena in Houston, Texas. The card is headlined by Jermell “Iron Man” Charlo (26-0, 11 KOs) vs. Joachim Alcine (35-7-2, 21 KOs) as Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on NBCSN will telecast the live event beginning at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT. Plant’s fight will serve as the swing bout for the televised portion of the PBC broadcast.
In his last outing, Plant went 8-rounds for the first time in his career, winning a lopsided unanimous decision against Jamar Freeman. Known for having power in both hands, Caleb was able to drop Freeman in the third round before cursing to victory. Plant’s mindset coming into this fight is to end the fight with a knockout.
“This will be my sixth time fighting this year and I’m learning more about myself with each fight,” said Caleb Plant. “Going the distance in my last fight was something new to me but I proved I can into the later rounds if I have to. To be honest though, nothing feels better than getting the knockout. In this fight I’m going to be more aggressive and let my punches go. Nothing reckless, but heavy bombs will be thrown. A knockout is what I’ll be seeking before the final bell rings.”
Tickets priced $163, $109, $49 and $22, plus applicable fees are on sale now and can be purchased by calling Leija*Battah Promotions at (210) 979-3302 or at all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at (800) 745-3000, via the internet at www.ticketmaster.com and at the NRG Stadium South Ticket Windows.
ANTOINE DOUGLAS PUTS UNBEATEN RECORD ON THE LINE AGAINST LES SHERRINGTON IN MAIN EVENT OFSHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION QUADRUPLEHEADER
Friday, Nov. 6 From Downtown Las Vegas Event Center
Live on SHOWTIME® At 10 p.m. ET/PT
NEW YORK (Oct. 22, 2015) – Unbeaten rising star Antoine “Action” Douglas will fight on ShoBox: The New Generation for a fifth time when he takes on Les “Lock N Load” Sherrington in a clash of world-ranked middleweights in the main event of aquadrupleheader live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) onFriday, Nov. 6, at Downtown Las Vegas Events Center (DLVEC), across from the D Las Vegas in iconic Downtown Las Vegas.
The popular prospect-oriented boxing series premiered in July 2001 and has produced 63 world champions to date. Antoine’s fifth ShoBox appearance will tie him with eight other fighters for second place on the all-time list (the ShoBox appearance record is held by Chris Avalos with six appearances). All of the fighters with five or more ShoBox appearances went on to challenge for a world title, five triumphed –Andre Ward, Ishe Smith, Robert Guerrero, Kendall Holt and Badou Jack—and three fell short –Avalos, Mike Arnaoutis and Sechew Powell. A sixth five-time Shobox participant, Lateef Kayode, is scheduled to challenge WBA Cruiserweight World Champion Denis Lebedec on Nov. 4.
Douglas, of Burke, Va., is the WBA’s ninth-ranked contender. He will enter the 10-round bout for the WBA and WBO International 160-pound titles with a record of 18-0-1, 12 KOs. Australia’s Sherrington, the WBA’s No. 12th-rated contender, is 35-7, 30 KOs.
“Douglas has been consistently entertaining throughout his fights on ShoBox and is fighting another older, more-experienced opponent once again,’’ said ShoBox expert analyst Steve Farhood. “Part of the satisfaction of watching fighters develop on ShoBoxis seeing them graduate to contender status. Douglas is just about at that point; he is taking his final classes.’’
The 10-round ShoBox co-feature will match former international amateur standout and 2012 Olympic Bronze Medalist, Ukrainian southpaw Taras “Real Deal” Shelestyuk (12-0, 8 KOs), of Los Angeles, Calif. against experienced Aslanbek Kozaev (26-1-1, 7 KOs), of Vladikavkaz, Russia, in a welterweight bout.
Two eight-rounders will round out the four-fight telecast: southpaw “Killa” Keenan Smith(8-0, 3 KOs) of Philadelphia battles Benjamin “Da Blaxican” Whitaker (10-1, 2 KOs) of San Antonio in a super lightweight scrap and O’Shaquie “Ice Water” Foster (8-0, 5 KOs) of Orange, Texas, confronts “Tsunami Sam” Teah (6-1, 2 KOs) of Philadelphia in a lightweight match.
All but Douglas will be making their ShoBox debuts in an event promoted by GH3 Promotions and Banner Promotions. All eight boxers will be fighting in Las Vegas for the first time. Tickets are priced at $100.50, $75.50, $40.50, $25.50 and $20.50 and are available for purchase at www.ticketmaster.com.
Douglas, 23, has been impressive in four consecutive victories since he boxed a draw with former world title challenger Michel Soro in an eight-rounder that was part of the 200th ShoBox telecast on July 25, 2014. Douglas has won his last two starts by knockout: on July 17, a third-round TKO over Istvan Szili and on March 13, a sixth-round TKO overThomas LaManna.
“This is a very good matchup for me,’’ said Douglas. “I feel I’m in the right place on my career. I want to move up the ranks and earn a title shot.
“I have seen Sherrington and he is tall and long. He likes to fight on the inside. He has lost to Sam Soliman. I’ve been in camp with Soliman and he’s not a big puncher.
“This is my first fight in Las Vegas, I’m very excited. Las Vegas is the boxing mecca of the world. This is a huge step up for me.”
Douglas, a top amateur who made it to the 2011 U.S. Olympic Trials, has been extremely active since turning pro in October 2012. He fought twice in 2012, nine times in ’13, six times in ’14 and this would be his third start this year.
Sherrington of Burleigh, Gold Coast, Australia, will be fighting outside of his native land for the first time in this, his U.S. and 2015 debuts. He’s won two in a row and is 8-1 in his last nine fights, the loss coming to former IBF World Middleweight Champion Soliman in December 2013.
Since the bitter defeat to Soliman that knocked him out of the world rankings, Sherrington has been looking to redeem himself in a major matchup in a major stage. This is his opportunity.
“This fight is something I have been waiting my whole career for and I plan on giving it my best shot,’’ he said. “I can’t wait to get over to America and showcase my skills. Fighting top-tier fighters is all I’ve ever asked.’’
The well-conditioned 6-foot, 33-year-old Sherrington turned his career around after losing his pro debut in April 2002 and going 4-3 in his first seven starts. Since March 2006, he’s 25-3 while winning several minor titles. In his last start on Dec. 2014 he captured the WBA Oceania Middleweight Title with a shutout 10-round decision over Samir Santos Barbosa.
Taras Shelestyuk made his debut at the late age of 27. A prospect at 147 pounds, he was an amateur standout (195-15) in Ukraine with extensive international experience. He was the Gold Medalist at the 2011 World Championships and a Bronze Medalist at the 2012 Olympics, both at 152 pounds.
The 5-foot-10 29-year-old, who was born in Makeevka, Ukraine, is trained by International Boxing Hall of Famer, Freddie, Roach. Shelestyuk is a lefthander with solid skills, movement and punching power who has exclusively campaigned in the United States since turning pro in March 2013. He went 6-0 in 2013, 3-0 in 2014, and is 3-0 this year. He’s coming off a unanimous eight-round decision over Juan Rodriguez last April 3 in Ontario, Calif. He’s gone eight rounds twice.
Regarding his nickname, Shelestyuk said, “My nickname is ‘Real Deal,’ and it means that I prove what I say in the business that I do.”
Kozaev, 29, 5-foot-7, is making his 2015 debut and fifth U.S. start. He won his first two before losing his outing before last on a 12-round decision to prospect Ray Robinson in an NABO welterweight title fight on Feb. 21, 2014. He’s short for the welterweight class and is spotting Shelestyuk 3 ½ inches in height.
Smith, the 2008 National Golden Gloves Featherweight Champion and a 2007 Junior Olympic National Champion, turned pro in April 2010—at 130 pounds.
The 5-foot-7, 25-year-old will be making his fourth start of the year after fighting just one time in both 2012 and 2011. He’s won two of his three fights in 2015 by knockout, including any easy second-round knockout over Lavell Hadley last Aug. 15 in Atlantic City. This will be his second fight since signing with GH3 Promotions and his first since his mother died in late September.
“This has been a rough training camp as my mom passed away and we had the funeral on Sept. 29,’’ Smith said. “Going through that is extra motivating and I am dedicating this fight to her. I am excited to be in my first television bout. I can’t wait for Nov. 6.”
Smith went 72-4 in the amateurs. Two of the victories came against current world-ranked contender Amir Imam.
Whitaker, a 5-foot-9, 31-year-old, has fought in Texas in all but one of his fights. He’s been impressive in his three fights this year, winning them all by clear and convincing eight-round decisions.
Whitaker produced a career-best victory two outings ago when he soundly out-tallied previously undefeated knockout artist and local favorite, Skender Halili. Also, Whitaker captured the vacant WBC United States (USNBC) and U.S.A. Texas State Super Welterweight titles by outpointing Rodolfo Gomez on Jan. 16 in Laredo.
“Talk is cheap, this fight is going to be a war,’’ said Whitaker, a three-year pro who was victorious in his first seven pro fights and also owns a win over previously undefeatedFelipe Rivas. “He wants to keep his undefeated record but I am trying to get to where I want to be.”
Foster, 22, will be making his eight-round debut. A pro since August 2012, he’s made short work of his last two opponents, scoring opening-round knockouts over Darius Jackson (1:03) and Frank Jordan (1:26) on Sept. 26 and Aug. 22, respectively.
“It is going to be a great fight. I am glad for the opportunity,’’ said Foster, who’s been brought along carefully after a 100-plus amateur career in which he advanced to the 2012 U.S. Olympic Games Trials where he lost to unbeaten pro prospect, Joseph “Jo-Jo” Diaz.
“I have been training really hard. I have looked at Teah and he throws a lot of wide and wild punches. I am looking forward to fighting in Las Vegas.’’
The 2011 Houston Golden Gloves and 2010 PAL National Champion, Foster was a five-time Ringside National Champion and two-time National Junior Golden Gloves Champion.
Teah, 28, a lightweight, will also be making his eight-round debut. All seven of his previous starts have been scheduled for four rounds. Since suffering his lone setback on a majority four-round decision to undefeated Laviasas Williams on July 25, 2014, Teah has won two in a row, both on shutout four-round decisions, including a 40-36 whitewash againstRaymond Velez in his lone start this year on July 17.
Barry Tompkins will call the ShoBox action from ringside with 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 ShoBoxphilosophy 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.
About Downtown Las Vegas Events Center
Located at the corner of Third St. and Carson Ave. across from the D Las Vegas, the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center can accommodate up to 11,000 guests and features state-of-the-art stage, sound and lighting. The open-air design is inviting to both tourists and locals and offers the perfect spot for concerts, conventions and other large-scale events. Embracing the uninhibited spirit of Downtown Las Vegas, the new venue plays host to a line-up of curated events including premier concerts, food festivals and more. The venue is also the first entertainment arena in Las Vegas to accept Bitcoin as currency. For more information, visit www.dlvec.com or follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @DLVEC.
UNDEFEATED HEAVYWEAGHT “BIG BABY” MILLER LOOKS TO MAKE A BIG IMPACT FRIDAY ON ShoBox: The New Generation
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