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UNDEFEATED WORLD CHAMPION LEO SANTA CRUZ AND FORMER THREE-DIVISION WORLD CHAMPION ABNER MARES FORMALLY ANNOUNCE THEIR UPCOMING PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON ESPN  FIGHT FROM PRESS CONFERENCE AND FAN RALLY AT PLAZA MEXICO IN LOS ANGELES

 

Fighters to Square Off August 29 Live From STAPLES Center

On ESPN At 10 P.M. ET/7 P.M.

 

Click HERE For Photos From Craig Bennett

 

LOS ANGELES (July 14, 2015) – Mexican boxing stars Leo “El Terremoto” Santa Cruz (30-0-1, 17 KOs) and Abner Mares (29-1-1, 15 KOs) met today at Plaza Mexico to officially announced their Saturday, August 29 Premier Boxing Champions on ESPNshowdown taking place at STAPLES Center.

 

The fighters hosted an open-to-the-public press conference and fan rally to discuss their upcoming bout with media members and met with fans to sign autographs and take pictures.

 

Hundreds of fans attended the event at Plaza Mexico in Linwood and the fighters stayed to sign autographs for over two hours afterwards.

 

Here’s what the two fighters and their trainers had to say:

 

LEO SANTA CRUZ

 

“I want to thank all of the fans who are here and I appreciate the support. We always train 100 percent like we’re fighting for a championship.

 

“I think the fans are the ones who are going to win on August 29th. They are going to get a great fight out there. It’s going to be a war.

 

“I don’t care what he said about my competition. I’ve wanted to fight him for a long time, this going to be a great fight.

 

“He likes to talk about different things. I’m not going to talk as much. I’m going to be prepared on August 29th and I’m going to be victorious.

 

“No one wants to lose and may the best man win.”

 

ABNER MARES

 

“I want to thank everybody who made this fight possible.

 

“Leo Santa Cruz is a fighter who has fought nothing but C-level fighters. Now he’s fighting an A-level fighter. I’m going to show him what an A-level fighter does and that’s win.

 

“I pushed for this fight, he never really wanted to face me. I’ve wanted to fight him for a while. We fought on the same card at Stapes Center and I wanted to fight him since then.

 

“We sparred a while back, about 30 rounds, but I don’t put much into the sparring. We’re both different fighters now.

 

“This is a great fight for the fans and I look forward to the whole world being able to watch.

 

“I’m going to beat Leo Santa Cruz come May 29th, don’t miss the fight.”

 

JOSE SANTA CRUZ, Santa Cruz’s Father & Trainer

 

“Team Santa Cruz doesn’t speak much. Mares and his team can talk and say all that they want but we’re going to demonstrate our talent on Saturday, August 29th at the Staples Center.”

 

CLEMENTE MEDINA, Mares Trainer

 

“I’m so glad everyone could be out here to support these fighters. This is a fight that has been discussed for two years and we are ready.

 

“I appreciate Leo Santa Cruz taking this fight. We’re going to be prepared, we’re focused. On Saturday, August 29th, team Mares is going out for the victory.”

 

TOM BROWN, President of TGB Promotions

“Leo and Abner are two of boxing’s toughest warriors. Both Southern California based and having watched both of them since they turned pro it is an honor to promote this Southern California matchup.”

 

The 12-round featherweight bout will take place Saturday, August 29 live in primetime on ESPN from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles. Televised coverage for the highly-anticipate event begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

 

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are priced at $25, $50, $75, $150 and $200, not including applicable fees and service charges, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased at AXS.com, by phone at 888-929-7849 or at the STAPLES Center.

 

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.staplescenter.comand www.TGBPromotions.com. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @LeoSantaCruz2 @AbnerMares, @ESPNBoxing, @STAPLESCenter, @TGBPromotions and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/STAPLESCenter andwww.facebook.com/ESPN. Follow the conversation using #PBConESPN.

Lucian Bute back in the ring!

Eleider Alvarez and Oscar Rivas also in action

MONTRÉAL (July 14, 2015) – Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM), in association with InterBox, is happy to announce the return to the ring of former IBF world super middleweight champion Lucian Bute, August 15 at Bell Centre, as part of Premier Boxing Champions series, airing live on NBC Sports. His opponent will be European super middleweight champion, Andrea Di Luisa, of Italy.

“I’m ready and looking forward to being back in the ring. I have not lost my passion and I train six days a week, twice a day,” said Bute (31-2, 24 KOs), who will be in his first fight since meeting Jean Pascal in front of a sellout crowd, January 18, 2014 at Bell Centre.

In his last bout, Di Luisa (17-2, 13 KOs) defeated his compatriot, Roberto Cocco, by 11th round technical knockout to capture the EBU-EU Europe title. Di Luisa has won his last four fights.

“I’m very happy about this opportunity,” Di Luisa commented. “I know Bute because I fought him in the amateurs. He is very good and I respect him. But I don’t fear him.”

 

“We are delighted that Lucian can finally return to the ring. This fight is very important for the rest of his career,” said InterBox president Jean Bedard.

“We are very proud to present the first event of the Premier Boxing Championsseries in Montreal. This will also be the first time that NBC Sports will be present in Montreal to broadcast a boxing event,” added GYM President Yvon Michel. “I am also very happy to support the return of Lucian Bute and I thank InterBox for allowing us to participate.”

Serious test for Alvarez

In addition to Lucian Bute, fans will see unbeaten Colombian Olympians Eleider Alvarez and Oscar Rivas, in action. They will both face the biggest challenge of their young career.

Alvarez (17-0, 10 KOs) will face an undefeated, WBO #6 rated Paraguayan-born slugger Isidro “El Guerrero” Prieto (24-0-3, 20 KOs). The Argentina-based boxer is trained by none other than the mentor and first coach of former world championSergio Martinez, Raul Paniagua.

“Prieto is a very serious opponent, undefeated and world-ranked, ” head trainer Marc Ramsey analyzed. “He beat everyone in South America, often by KO. He has a strong right hand, in addition to being young and hungry. He will try to use Eleider as a stepping stone to the big leagues.”

Rivas (17-0, 12 KOs) will lace his gloves against an opponent yet to be determined.

Alvarez and Rivas have both been impressive in their last outing this past June in the United States. They respectively knocked out Anatoliy Dudchenko and Jason Pettaway.

Other fighters on the card

In addition to the three aforementioned featured fights, five other bouts will be presented.

Russian super bantamweight Vislan Dalkhaev (2-0, 0 KOs), Romanian heavyweightBogdan Dinu (12-0, 8 KOs), Montreal super lightweight Yves Ulysse (8-0, 5 KOs), Sorel-Tracy super lightweight David Theroux (6-1, 4 KOs) and Laval light heavyweight Erik Bazinyan (8-0, 5 KOs) are all scheduled to be in action.

Dalkhaev, a friend of fellow boxer Artur Beterbiev, will attempt to add a third win in the pro ranks. In his last outing, the Chechen-born pugilist defeated Frenchman Adel Hadjouis by unanimous decision on April 4, in Quebec City.

Dinu, a compatriot of Bute, will fight for the first time in 2015. His last encounter occurred December 6, 2014, when he stopped Frenchman Mickael Vieira in the first round.

Ulysse, a former member of the Canadian National Amateur Boxing Team, recorded the easiest win of his career on June 20 at Bell Centre, when Frenchman Renald Garrido was disqualified before the start of the confrontation. This time, though, Ulysse is likely to have a rival who really wants to fight.

Theroux, the pride of Sorel-Tracy, fought in a fierce battle against former Spanish champion Ignacio Mendoza, on June 17 in Sorel-Tracy. Even if the result was not the one hoped for, the 21-year-old boxer in no quitter and he wants to redeem himself in front of his Montreal fans.

As for Armenian-born Bazinyan, he is trained and managed by the Grant brothers. The 20-year-old fighter will jump into the ring for the second time in 2015. On March 27 at Olympia Theatre, he stopped Frenchman Morgan Le Gal in the fifth round.

Tickets go on sale Wednesday, July 15 at 10:00 a.m. ET, at the Bell Centre box office, on www.evenko.ca, at GYM (514) 383-0666, at InterBox (450) 645-1077 or at Champion boxing club (514) 376-0980. Ticket prices range from $25 to $250 on the floor.

It’s Fight week for July 17 ShoBox Fight at Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem

4 TITLES ON THE LINE

6 UNDEFEATED FIGHTERS

COMBINED RECORD OF EIGHT TELEVISED FIGHTERS: 125-4-4, 75 KO’s

Antoine Douglas – Istavan Szili in 10-round Middleweight main event for IBO Intercontinental Title

Derrick Webster battles Arif Magomedov for NABO Middleweight title

Adam Lopez – Eliecer Aquino for WBA FEDELATIN and WBC Interim Latino Super Bantamweight title

Jerry Odom to battle Samuel Clarkson in opening bout of televised quadruple-header

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Bethlehem, PA (July 14, 2015)–Fight week is here for Friday Night’s big ShoBox: The New Generation card at the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem.

Promoted by GH3 Promotions in association with King’s Promotions, Greg Cohen Promotions and Main Events, the event will feature three title bouts with a total of four titles on the line.

In the main event, Antoine “Action” Douglas (17-0-1, 11 KO’s) of Burke, VA. takes on Istvan Szili (18-0-2, 8 KO’s) of Basel, Switzerland for the vacant IBO Intercontinental Middleweight title.

Derrick Webster (19-0, 10 KO’s) of Glassboro, NJ battles Arif Magomedov (15-0, 9 KO’s) of Chekhov, Russia for the vacant NABO Middleweight title scheduled for 10 rounds.

Adam Lopez (12-0, 6 KO’s) of San Antonio, TX takes on Eliecer Aquino (17-0-1, 11 KO’s) of Higuey, DR for the WBA FEDELATIN and WBC Latino Super Bantaweight titles in a fight scheduled for 10-rounds.

Opening up the telecast will be an 8 -round Super Middleweight clash between Jerry “The Kings Son” Odom (13-1, 12 KO’s) and Samuel Clarkson (14-3, 8 KO’s) of Cedar Hill, TX.

The off-television card will be stacked with future contenders.

In 6-round bouts:

Lavarn Harvell (14-1, 7 KO’s) of Atlantic City, NJ will take on an opponent to be named in a Light Heavyweight bout.

Rob Brant (15-0, 9 KO’s) of Minnesota will battle Ernesto Berrospe ((10-7, 5 KO’s) in a Middleweight bout.

In 4-round Bouts:

Christopher Brooker (3-0, 3 KO’s) of Philadelphia, PA will fight Botirsher Obidov (1-0-1) of Florida in a Super Middleweight battle.

Ricky Nuno (1-0) of Bethlehem, PA will fight pro debuting Tim Kunkel of PA in a Jr. Middleweight bout.

Manny Folly (4-0, 3 KO’s) of Philadelphia, PA will battle Jose Garcia (0-2) of Puerto Rico in a Super Bantamweight fight.

Samuel Teah (5-1, 3 KO’s) of Philadelphia, PA will take on Raymond Velez (3-7) of Albany, NY in a Lightweight bout.

Oscar Bonilla (3-1-2, 2 KO’s) of New Haven, CT will box Bienvenidio Diaz (2-0, 2 KO’s) of Paterson, NJ in a Lightweight bout.

Below is the fight week schedule for the July 17th televised Quadruple header form the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem and will be televised live on Showtime’s ShoBox: The New Generation.

Thursday, July 16th

5:00 PM—Weigh in — at the Vision Bar at the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem (On scales at 6 PM)

Friday, July 17th

6:00 Doors Open
7:00 1st Bout
10:00 Showtime Broadcast begins

Tickets are priced at $100, $75 and $50 and can be purchased at Ticketmaster and www.ticketmaster.com

GH3 Promotions features undefeated Middleweight Antoine Douglas, Super Middleweight’s Jerry Odom & Derrick Webster, undefeated Super Bantamweight Adam Lopez as well as Boxcino 2015 Jr. Middleweight Champion John Thompson, Jr., undefeated Welterweight Jerrell Harris,undefeated Super Bantamweight Qa’id Muhammad, lightweight Oscar Bonilla, Heavyweight Natu Visinia, Light Heavyweight Lavarn Harvell and Jr. Lightweight O’Shanique Foster to the GH3 Promotions stable.

CANADIAN STAR LUCIAN BUTE FACES ITALY’S ANDREA DI LUISA ON PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON NBCSN

 

ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 15 FROM THE BELL CENTRE IN MONTREAL

AT 9 P.M. ET/6 P.M. PT

 

Plus Undefeated Light Heavyweights Collide As

Eleider Alvarez Meets Isidro Ranoni Prieto

 

Oscar Rivas Also In Action!

 

Tickets On Sale Tomorrow!

 

MONTREAL (July 14, 2015) – Former world champion Lucian Bute (31-2, 24 KOs) returns to the ring to face Italy’s Andrea Di Luisa (17-2, 13 KOs) in a 10-round super middleweight showdown on Premier Boxing Champions on NBCSN on Saturday, August 15 from the Bell Centre in Montreal with televised coverage beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

 

Another televised bout will pit a pair of undefeated light heavyweights against each other as 2008 Colombian Olympian Eleider Alvarez (17-0, 10 KOs) takes on Paraguayan knockout artist Isidro Ranoni Prieto (24-0-3, 20 KOs) in a 12-round battle. Additionally, 2008 Colombian Olympian Oscar Rivas (17-0, 12 KOs) will compete on the card.

 

“I’m ready and looking forward to going back in the ring,” said Bute. “I have not lost my passion and I train six days a week, twice a day. I am excited to perform on the big stage on August 15.”

 

“We are very proud to present this great event in Montreal,” said GYM President Yvon Michel. “This will also be the first time that NBCSN will be in Montreal to broadcast a boxing event and I’m also happy to support the return of former world champion Lucian Bute.”

 

Tickets for the live event, promoted Group Yvon Michel (GYM) in association with InterBox, are priced from $25 to $250, not including applicable service charges and fees, and are on sale Wednesday, July 15 at 10 a.m. ET. Tickets can be purchased at the counters of the Bell Centre, on www.evenko.ca, at GYM (514) 383-0666, at InterBox (450) 645-1077 or at Champion boxing club (514) 376-0980.

 

After an accomplished amateur career representing his native Romania, Bute moved to Montreal, Quebec, Canada and began his pro career in 2003 with 30 straight victories. Among those victories, the 35-year-old won a super middleweight world title over Alejandro Berrio. Bute owns victories over Sakio Bika, William Joppy, Edison Miranda and Jesse Brinkley and will be returning to the ring for the first time since Jan. 2014 on August 15.

 

A professional since 2008, Di Luisa will be making his North American debut on August 15when he travels to Canada to challenge Bute. The 33-year-old racked up 12 wins to start his career including victories over previously unbeaten fighters Alessio Rondelli and Giuseppe Brischetto. Fighting out of Lazio, he enters this fight on a four-fight win streak, including his last two by knockout.

 

A 2008 Colombian Olympian fighting out of Montreal, Alvarez defeated Anatoliy Dudchenko by second round knockout on June 12. That fight marked the pro debut for the 31-year-old, after recording 15 victories in Canada and one in Monaco. The owner of victories over and Edison Miranda, Alexander Johnson and Ryno Liebenber, he looks to keep his perfect record intact on August 15. .

 

Born in Paraguay but making his home in Buenoas Aires, Argentina, Prieto has never lost as a pro and has won his last eight fights heading into August 15. The 29-year-old will be making his North American debut and fighting as a pro outside of South America for the first time. The heavy-fisted fighter has recorded three straight knockouts entering this fight.

 

Another 2008 Colombian Olympian, Rivas has also made his home in Montreal since turning pro. The exciting 28-year-old rides an impressive six-fight knockout streak into this fight and he hopes to build on the success he had in his U.S. debut, a first round knockout over Jason Pettaway in June 2015.

 

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.comwww.nbcsports.com/boxing and www.groupeyvonmichel.ca. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @NBCSports, @InterBoxBute, @yvonmichelgym and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampionsand www.facebook.com/NBCSports.

HEAVYWEIGHT STAR CHRIS ARREOLA TAKES ON HARD-HITTING FRED KASSI ON PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON CBS ON SATURDAY, JULY 18 FROM DON HASKINS CENTER IN EL PASO, TEXAS

Plus!

Mario Barrios, Ryan Karl & Other Top Prospects Round Out

Full Day Of Undercard Action

 

EL PASO, TX (July 14, 2015) – Mexican-American heavyweight star Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola, (36-4, 31 KOs) will face “Big” Fred Kassi, (18-3-0, 10 KOs) on Premier Boxing Champions on CBS, Saturday afternoon, July 18 from the Don Haskins Center at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). Televised coverage on CBS Sports starts at 4 p.m. ET/2 p.m. MT/1 p.m. PT.

 

Featured on the undercard is a trio of undefeated prospects as Mario Barrios (14-0, 5 KOs) takes on Jose Esquivel (9-2, 2 KOs)in a six-round super featherweight bout, Ryan Karl (7-0, 5 KOs) faces Rigobert Flores (7-1, 2 KOs) in six-rounds of super lightweight action and Steve Lovett (12-0, 10 KOs) battles Jinner Guerrero (8-4, 6 KOs) in an eight-round light heavyweight attraction

 

Also featured is the 10-round middleweight clash between 26-year-old unbeaten Ivan Golub (8-0, 6 KOs), fighting out of Brooklyn by way of Ukraine, and 26-year-old Lukasz Maciec (22-2-1, 5 KOs) from Lublin, Poland.

 

Rounding out the day of fights is 21-year-old Justin Deloach (9-1, 5 KOs) out of Georgia, Louisiana who faces 29-year-old Detroit-native Lauro Alcantar (9-3, 1 KO) in a six-round super welterweight battle, while 24-year-old Josh Taylor (0-2) from Scotland will enter the ring against Houston’s Randy Gibson (0-1) for a six-round super lightweight bout.

 

These exciting fights will support the PBC on CBS main event pitting undefeated Irish superstar Carl Frampton (20-0, 14 KOs) in a world title defense against Mexico’s Alejandro “Cobrita” Gonzalez Jr. (25-1-2, 15 KOs).

 

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions in association with Warriors Boxing and Cyclone Promotions, are priced at $50 or $25 for general admission and are on sale now. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or the University Ticket Center at (915) 747-5234. Tickets are also available at www.ticketmaster.com.

 

Making his first start in El Paso, the 34-year-old Arreola is anxious to fight in front of the passionate West Texas boxing fans. On the March 13 PBC card he was victorious against Curtis Harper in an outstanding slugfest that featured excellent two-way action throughout. A native of Riverside, Calif., Arreola has challenged the top heavyweights over the last decade and is regarded as one of the most feared punchers in the division.  

 

Born in Cameroon but fighting out of New Orleans, the 35-year-old hard-hitting Kassi will be looking to upset Arreola and make an impact on a huge stage. Kassi has delivered knockouts in five of his last eight fights and will make his first start of 2015 on July 18.

 

Fighting in his home state and representing San Antonio, Barrioslooks for his third knockout victory of 2015 on July 18. The 20-year-old hopes to build on his momentum and continue to grow his fan base in his home state when he takes on the 25-year-old Esquivel from Mexico.

 

An undefeated prospect representing Houston, Karl had an excellent amateur career that ended with him ranked third in the nation in the 141-pound division. The 23-year-old has already won twice in 2015 and most recently defeated Alfred Hall on May 9. He faces the 32-year-old Californian Flores.

 

Representing New South Wales, Austraila, Lovettturned pro in 2010 and has yet to drop a fight in his first 12 bouts. The 30-year-old takes on the 32-year-old Guerrero from Ecuador.

 

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter@PremierBoxing, @SHOSports, @RealCFrampton, @WarriorsBoxingProm, @TGBPromotions and @Swanson_Comm become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing and www.Facebook.com/WarriorsBoxingPromo or visit the SHOWTIME Boxing Blog http://shosportspoundforpound.tumblr.com/.

World Champion Gary Russell Jr, Antonio Russell & former champion Vincent Pettway to attend “Road to the Worlds!”

 

Baltimore, MD (July 14, 2015) – WBC featherweight champion Gary “Mr.” Russell Jr., undefeated prospect Antonio Russell and former welterweight titlist Vincent Pettway will all be in attendance for Baltimore Boxing’s “Road to the Worlds” Thursday evening at Michael’s Eighth Avenue in Glen Burnie, MD.

Individual tickets starting at $25, reserve tables of 10 for $350 and VIP tables of 10 for $500 are on sale via the web at Baltimoreboxing.com or by calling 410-375-9175. Doors open at 6:30 and the first fight takes place at 8.

More than eight Olympic style bouts are scheduled for “Road to the Worlds” including fighters from various weight classes. Competing Thursday evening will be popular knockout king Sam Crossed, 2009 Ringside World champion Joey Veazey, fast rising Donald Wallace, Ernie Hall, Rick Foxwell and Sean Veazey amongst others.

With the Ringside World Championships scheduled August 5-8 in Missouri, Baltimore Boxing is donating 100% of the proceeds from “Road to the Worlds” to help the fighters pay for the tournament and various expenses that come with attending. This includes but is not limited to flights, ground transportation, lodging and food. To further assist with the fundraising efforts, a 50/50 raffle will take place during the evening.

An elite talent who many consider to have the fastest hands in boxing, Russell Jr. captured the WBC featherweight title following a career best performance where he knocked out Jhonny Gonzalez in the fourth round. The Washington, DC native won countless national amateur championships prior to turning pro and was a favorite to capture gold during the 2008 Olympics. Unfortunately, he passed out trying to make weight and never got to compete. At 26-1 with 15 knockouts, Russell Jr. looks to be a force for years to come and is a face that fans will become accustomed to seeing on TV.

Like his older brother, Antonio Russell came into the pro ranks following an impressive amateur career. The winner of the 2013 National Golden Gloves, Russell won medals three of the five years he competed in the nationals, capturing silver in 2010 and 2014. As a professional, Russell fights in the bantamweight division and is 3-0 with 2 wins by knockout.

The fighting pride of Charm City, Pettway stopped Gianfranco Rossi in 1994 to become the IBF junior middleweight champion. His next match however earned Pettway permanent fame in the boxing community. On April 29, 1995, Pettway scored a dynamic one punch knockout of Simon Brown. When Brown crashed to the canvas, the force of Pettway’s punch discombobulated him to the point that he literally threw punches at the air. The knockout has been viewed millions of times on the internet and remains one of the best in boxing history.

“I’m really looking forward to having the Russell Brothers and Vincent at my show,” said Smith. “Gary fought on my show when he was an amateur and I literally had goose bumps watching him fight. He was the most talented amateur I’ve ever seen and his brother was a heck of a fighter too. Their father has been a friend of mine for years and it’s amazing how many talented fighters came from that household. Vincent’s been a great supporter of Baltimore Boxing and the city as long as I could remember. Having him on fight night is always a pleasure and the fans show him a lot of love. Between the fighters on hand, boxers scheduled to compete and cause this card is supporting, Thursday will be a great all around evening.”

The Russell Brothers and Pettway will be available to meet with all ticketholders.

Baltimore Boxing kindly ask those who can’t attend to donate by going to http://www.gofundme.com/x4cyjqc.

For more information, go to Baltimoreboxing.com

GCP Signs Louisiana Lightweight Mason Menard to a Promotional Contract

Greg Cohen Promotions proudly announces the signing of lightweight “Rock Hard Mighty” Mason Menard to a promotional contract.

Menard (29-1, 21 KOs) from Rayne, Louisiana, started boxing at the age of eight and had 82 amateur fights. He took a Bronze Medal in the 2007 U.S. Nationals and participated in the 2008 Olympic Trials at 132 pounds before turning professional in 2007.

In the paid ranks, Menard has already captured the Louisiana State Lightweight Title, the All American UBO Lightweight Title, and the UBO World Lightweight Title.

“I believe I’ll be able to receive big opportunities because GCP does televised fights and that’s exactly what I need, for someone to get me seen nationwide/worldwide,” said a happy Menard about the deal. “I am very fortunate to have signed with GCP, it will give me the outlet I need to be seen, to become a boxing superstar. It was all in God’s timing!”

Cohen, who also handles murderous punching Ismael Barroso, Australian buzz saw Josh King, Ghana’s undefeated Rafael Mensah and Canadian sensation Tony Luis, says Menard will make a welcome addition to his stable of world-class lightweights.

“I like what I see in Mason Menard,” said Cohen. “I’m looking forward to working with him and his manager, Chad Broussard. So far in his career, Mason has been sensational fighting in his home state. We are going to introduce him to the rest of the world and help him become a world champion.”

Menard’s first fight under the GCP banner will be announced shortly.

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 made 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 (50-8-2, 41 KOs); and all-time-great multiple-weight class world champion James “Lights Out” Toney (74-7-3, 45 KOs).

 

Current world-rated contenders in the GCP roster include Arash Usmanee, universally recognized as a top-10 super featherweight; former WBA International Middleweight Champion and world-rated middleweight contender Jarrod Fletcher; top-rated featherweight Joel Brunker; cruiserweight Lateef Kayode; Canadian lightweight and TV action hero Tony Luis, and WBA and five-time Irish National Amateur Champion, Dennis Hogan; and Rising Welterweight sensation Cecil McCalla.

 

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 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.

Lyons & James-Elliott Plan Huge Season Opener At York Hall 29th Aug.

Mark Lyons and Billy James-Elliott are really pulling out all the stops in preparation for their and the Capital City’s new season opener event, LORDS OF THE RING II, at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London on Saturday 29th August.

 

With eighteen bouts already on the card, LORDS OF THE RINGS II is looking set to be the biggest pro boxing event in the Capital this year.

 

Heading up the massive card is reigning World Boxing Federation (WBF) Welterweight World Champion Chris Goodwin, who will be facing a yet to be announced opponent.

 

A two division World Champion, Goodwin (19-2-1) was the first British boxer to secure a World lightweight crown in almost twenty years, when he beat Istvan Kiss for the World Boxing Foundation Lightweight title back August 2012.

 

He then went on to secure the WBF Intercontinental crown in April 2014 before adding the WBF World Welterweight crown, with a split point win over Mikheil Avakyan at the Northgate Arena in Chester just four months later.

 

Main support sees Woolwich, London’s British #1 ranked and reigning MBC International Super Bantamweight Champion, Marianne ‘Golden Girl’ Marston, in a non-championship bout ahead of her upcoming World title challenge.

 

Marston, who was discovered and coached by legendary Heavyweight Champion of the World Smokin’ Joe Frazier and two time Cruiserweight Champion of the World Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham, also became the #1 pound-for-pound ranked British female, following her sensational shut out points victory over then Hungarian #1, European #3 and World #31 ranked Marianna Gulyas to secure the MBC International crown in October 2014.

 

This win sent Marston soring up the rankings, from #58 in the World to #24 and in contention to muster a challenge for a World accolade.

 

Heading up the support card sees London’s Jimmy Campbell (11-8-0) making his UK debut, as throughout his career Campbell had competed exclusively in America until now.

 

During his career Campbell has been in with some of the sports biggest names, such as WBC World Champion Anthony Dirrell and WBA World Champion Virgil Hill.

 

On August 29th Campbell faces Scunthorpe’s Jody ‘The Entertainer’ Meikle, whilst Meikle is not quite on the same level as Dirrell and Hill you can be sure that Campbell will get one of the toughest tests when he goes toe-to-toe with ‘The Entertainer’.

 

Welsh and British Masters Champion Lee ‘Lights Out’ Churcher will also be in action, unfortunately not in the planned MBC International title fight with George Hillyard, but in a non-championship six rounder against a yet to be named opponent.

 

Whilst on the subject of Champions – 13 time, unified World KI Rules, Full Contact Kick Boxing and Muay Thai Champion Marlon Hunt will be making his much anticipated professional Boxing debut, against Scunthorpe’s Matthew Pepper.

 

The Lords of the Ring event also features another Globe trotting British fighter, the sensational Iain ‘The Blessed One’ Weaver (5-1-0), who will be making a rare appearance on a British event.

 

Last time out. In Parsippany, New Jersey, was the victim of a little bit of ‘home cooking’ to the score cards – after dominating his opponent, Newark, New Jersey’s Wanzell Ellison, from start to finish, Weaver was shocked to end up on the losing side of a highly contentious split decision – so you can be sure that former Team GB star Weaver will be wanting to make a big statement and get another big win on his record.

 

Bardsley, Lincolnshire’s unbeaten Middleweight prospect Nathan ‘Nightmare’ Decastro (4-0-0) will also be in action, as will Kensington’s unbeaten Super Middleweight prospect Daley Ojuederie (3-0-1), both against yet to be announced opponents.

 

This event also features the long awaited return to the fray of ‘Rockin’ Robin Deakin, following a fifteen-month sabbatical from the sport.

 

Finally, making their professional debuts on August 29th are a number of top amateurs, including Doncaster’s sensational Tom Bell (Bantamweight), Sheffield’s Luke Junior (Welterweight), Newcastle’s Jak Johnson (Super Featherweight), Hertfordshire’s Daniel Mendes (Cruiserweight), Junior Walker (Super Welterweight), Johannes Umelo (Heavyweight), Mo Holloway, Malta’s Kerstin Brown (Bantamweight) and Billy Elliott (Welterweight).

 

The Mark Lyons and Billy James-Elliott Wise Guys promotions LORDS OF THE RING II event will take place at York Hall, Bethnal Green, London on Saturday 29th August 2015.

 

This event is sanctioned courtesy of the Malta Boxing Commission (MBC) www.maltaboxingcommission.com

 

Tickets, priced £35 (standard seated) and £65 (Ringside) are available from any of the boxers taking part, on-line atwww.tkoboxoffice.com and www.wiseguypromotions.com or call 07960 850645 or 07807 282559.

FIGHT NETWORK BOXING PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE (July 13-19, 2015)

(U.S. only schedule.  For full Canadian schedule, please visit tv.fightnetwork.com from your region.)

 

Fight Network is a 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports. It airs programs focused on the entire scope of the combat sports genre, including live fights and up-to-the-minute news and analysis for boxing, mixed martial arts, kickboxing, professional wrestling, traditional martial arts, fight news, as well as fight-themed drama series, documentaries and feature films.

 

Below find highlights of this week’s programming:

Monday, July 13

7:30 p.m. ET – Fight New Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.

Tuesday, July 14

6:00 p.m. ETKOTV Boxing Classics – Reliving memorable boxing fights from the past two decades.

8:30 p.m. ETFight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.

Wednesday, July 15

7:00 a.m. & 10:00 p.m. ETKOTV Boxing Classics – Reliving memorable boxing fights from the past two decades.

Thursday, July 16

1:00 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. ETKOTV Boxing Weekly Covering all the latest news in professional boxing, featuring full recent fights and highlights from the sweet science.

5:30 p.m. ET — Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.

Friday, July 17

12:30 p.m. ET KOTV Boxing Weekly Covering all the latest news in professional boxing, featuring full recent fights and highlights from the sweet science.

7:30 p.m. ETFight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.

Saturday, July 18

4:30 p.m. ETKOTV Boxing Weekly Covering all the latest news in professional boxing, featuring full recent fights and highlights from the sweet science.

Sunday, July 19

1:00 p.m. ET – KOTV Boxing Weekly Covering all the latest news in professional boxing, featuring full recent fights and highlights from the sweet science.

7:30 p.m. ETFight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.

8:00 p.m. ETUltimate Classic Boxing: Zulueta vs. Lopes – Featuring Orlando Zulueta vs. Joey Lopes I from Apr. 3, 1957 in Washington D.C

 

INFORMATION:

 

www.FightNetwork.com

 

Twitter & Instagram @fightnet

 

www.Facebook.com/FightNetwork

 

ABOUT FIGHT NETWORK:  Fight Network is the world’s premier combat sports network dedicated to 24/7 coverage, including fights, fighters, fight news and fight lifestyle. The channel is available in the U.S. on Cablevision in parts of New York, Connecticut and New Jersey, Texas-based Grande Communications, Armstrong Cable in Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio, as well as on Shentel Cable in Virginia, West Virginia and portions of western Maryland. Fight Network is also on Roku set top boxes in the U.S. and Canada, streamed live on website KlowdTV.com, and available on all major carriers in Canada and more than 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

 

Guillermo Rigondeaux’ manager accepts offer From Vasyl Lomachenko’s manager  

CORK, Ireland (July 13, 2015) – Irishman Gary Hyde, the manager of unified super bantamweight (122 lbs.) world champion Guillermo “The Jackal” Rigondeaux (15-0, 10 KOs), has accepted in principal the offer made by Egis Klimas, manager of World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight (126 lbs.) champion Vasyl “Hi-Tech” Lomachenko (4-1, 2 KOs), for a Super Fight.

 

Rigondeaux is the reigning World Boxing Association (WBA) Super, WBO and The Ring magazine’s super bantamweight champion.

 

Cuban-native Rigondeaux, who now lives in Miami, and Ukrainian-born Lomachenko are both two-time Olympic gold medalists.

 

“‘Rigo’ will fight Lomachenko at a catchweight of 124 pounds, which should be no problem for Lomachenko because he weighed 125 pounds for one of his professional fights, Hyde said. “‘Rigo’ is a small 122-pounder who could make 118 without much trouble, but he would be giving away size and weight advantages to face Lomachenko.

 

“We would insist on a rehydration clause of 135 pounds for fight night. If Klimas agrees to this, then, we have a fight. Lomachenko is a masterful fighter like ‘Rigo’ and this match- up will be a classic. We have a pair of two-time Olympic gold medalists and current world champions going at it. I believe ‘Rigo’ is the more ferocious of the two fighters and I firmly believe ‘Rigo’ will dominate Lomachenko. Klimas, you know what you must do to make the fight, just pick up the phone and call me. ‘Rigo’ is ready!”

 

Follow Hyde on Twitter at @NoWhere2Hyde and friend him atwww.facebook.com/gary.hyde.50?fref=ts.