TAKE A LOOK BACK AT BOSTON’S RICH BOXING HISTORY

BOSTON (Май 20, 2015) – Boston is known for being home to some of the most passionate sports fans in the country, but many may not know that it is also a city that has had a long and rich history with the sweet science. На Събота, Май 23, world championship boxing is officially back in Beantown when Премиер боксови Champions на NBC returns with a showdown between Andre Dirrell и James DeGale at Boston University’s Agganis Arena with coverage on NBC beginning at 4:30 p.m. И/1:30 p.m. PT.

The last time Boston saw a world championship fight was May 23, 2006 when two world title fights took place at TD Bank Garden, formerly the Boston Garden. That night saw British superstar Рики “Наемен убиец” Хатън поражение Luis Колазо in a welterweight world title fight, докато Eric Aiken разстроен преди непобеден Valdemir Pereira for a featherweight world title.

“Fighting in the Boston Garden was a great honor, never mind in a world title fight, but even a four rounder,” каза Тони DeMarco, who won the welterweight world title in 1955 at the Boston Garden. “I had more fights there than anybody (28), including my pro debut. It’s always good fighting at home. You’re more comfortable at home. The fans know and honor you. Boston fans were real fight fans.”

Boston has been deeply invested in boxing since the early 20^тата век. От 1902-1908 the small town of Chelsea that borders Boston became the mecca for boxing as the sport was banned throughout most of America. Обаче, Chelsea had a special ordinance that legalized boxing. It was during this time that Jack Johnson was faced with what he admitted was the toughest fight of his career, when he defended his heavyweight title against Sam Langford on April 6, 1906. Johnson won by a 15-round unanimous decision and refused to fight Langford again.

В допълнение, Fenway Park, famed home of the Boston Red Sox, домакин 29 professional boxing cards between 1919 и 1956. Beyond just hosting big fights, Boston has also produced a slew of Hall of Fame talent who were either born in Massachusetts or called the state home.

Noteworthy names include Roxbury heavyweight champions John L. Sullivan, Brockton heavyweight Rocky Marcianoand Brockton resident and middleweight champion Прекрасни Marvin Hagler. Boston’s own featherweight championsSandy Сарач и George Dixon plus Boston promoter Rip Valenti have all been enshrined in the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

“Fighting in Boston was a great experience,” каза Джон Руис, a two-time heavyweight world champion from Chelsea. “Like any sport, Boston sports fans are true fans who follow your progress. I could feel their emotion wherever I fought. I will never forget them. I fought in Las Vegas a lot and there were always Boston fans there supporting me. I always appreciated them traveling all over the country to my fights.”

A father-son duo from Arlington, Маса. both had an impact on the heavyweight landscape decades after each other. Том McNeeley fought heavyweight world champion Флойд Патерсън в 1961 and dropped the champion before eventually succumbing to a fourth round knockout. Над 30 years later, синът му Peter was the first man to fight Майк Тайсън after he was released from prison, with the fight ending in McNeeley being disqualified.

One of the more unique athletes to come out of Boston, Dr. Wilbert “Skeeter” McClure was an Olympic Gold medalist, a doctor of psychology and a Massachusetts boxing commissioner. While at the 1960 Олимпиада, McClure served as the co-captain for Team USA and was the roommate of fellow gold medalist Cassius Clay. While he never reached his potential as a professional, he received opportunities against world class opponents Luis Manuel Rodriguez и два пътиХосе Торес, losing all three by decision. He also lost a decision and fought to a draw against Rubin “Ураган” Каруцар. After his professional boxing career, McClure served as a Massachusetts boxing commissioner before eventually retiring in the Boston area where he resides to this day.

Another greatly revered fighter to come out of the Boston-area is Lowell’s Micky Ward. Hugely popular for his exciting style, Ward compiled a 38-13 pro record with 27 нокаута. He was most known for the three epic fight of the year award-winning battles with the late Arturo Gatti. Ward’s life and career was portrayed in the award-winning film “Боецът”, which starred Mark Wahlberg as Ward.

“It was great fighting in Boston. The fans were very supportive and knowledgeable about the game,” казва Уорд. “It was like I was fighting at home…it was home for me as a fighter. Fans traveled a lot to my fights, твърде. They were a little crazy, drank lot of beer and were more vocal than most places I ever fought. I loved it.”

На Събота, Май 23 a new crop of young and hungry fighters will lay it all on the line, hoping to write the next exciting chapter of boxing history in the city of Boston. The action begins at 1:30 p.m. И inside of Agganis Arena.

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Tickets for the return of big-time boxing to Boston, която се насърчава от DiBella Entertainment съвместно с Murphys Boxing, са с цени $250, $200, $100, $75, $50 и $35, Не включително приложимите такси и данъци за услуги, и са в продажба сега. Билетите ще бъдат на разположение в www.ticketmaster.com. За зареждане на телефон, обадете Ticketmaster в (800) 745-3000.

За повече информация посетете WWW.premierboxingchampions.comWWW.nbcsports.com/boxing, www.AgganisArena.com иwww.dbe1.com, последват в TwitterPremierBoxing, @AndreDirrell, @JamesDeGale1, LouDiBella, DropkickMurphys, MurphysBoxing, @NBCSports and @AgganisArena and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/NBCSports, www.facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment,www.Facebook.com/DropkickMurphys и www.facebook.com/MurphysBoxing. Follow the conversation using #PremierBoxingChampions and #PBConNBC

Lou DiBella

Благодаря, everybody for joining us for Premier Boxing Champions on NBC press call. The card is Saturday, Май 23^RD. That’s the Събота of Memorial Day weekend at Boston’s Agganis Arena. The start time on NBC is 4:30 p.m. И/1:30 p.m. PT.

Билети за събитието на живо, which is being promoted in associated with Murphys Boxing are priced at $250, $200, $100, $75, $50 и $35, and they’re available at ticketmaster.com. За зареждане на телефон, обадете Ticketmaster в 800-745-3000. Отново, the NBC broadcast goes on at 4:30 p.m. И/1:30 p.m. PT.

We’re going to start the call by talking to our co-main event fighters, the guys are going to open the telecast. That’s light-heavyweight contender Edwin Rodriguez taking on undefeated light-heavyweight contender Craig Baker. Craig is 10-0 с 12 KO. He’s coming off a KO of highly regarded Umberto Savigne in his last fight and he’s looking to upset the apple cart and derail the career of Edwin Rodriguez who’s looking for another shot at a world title; this time at 175 паунда.

Craig is promoted by Sampson Boxing. Craig, if you’d like to say a few words.

Крейг Бейкър

Добре, I’m just grateful to have the opportunity to fight on such a grand field again. It clearly is what I dream about. It’s one of those things I’ve always looked forward to since I was little bity kid.

L. DiBella

Благодаря. Edwin Rodriguez, the pride of Worchester, Massachusetts and is fighting in his home state. This is his second fight at light heavyweight. His only loss is to Andre Ward, one of the pound-for-pound fighters in the world and Edwin believes at light heavyweight he’s stronger, better and that he can win the title. Така, Едвин, би ли искал да кажа няколко думи?

Edwin Rodriguez

Да. Най-напред, I’d like to thank you, Lou, for bringing me back on NBC and giving me such a great opportunity and also to Al Haymon and the NBC crew. I’m ready to show the world that I’m one of the best or the best 175 pound fighter in the world. I just got to prove it and this is one of the steps to do it, fighting an undefeated fighter, Крейг Бейкър, who’s hungry and I’m excited because I know that he’s hungry; I’m hungry to get at that elite level. It’s going to be a great fight for the fans.

Q

Да, I have a question for each of you if you don’t mind. Craig, how do you feel about fighting Edwin so close to his hometown?

C. Пекар

At the end of the day that doesn’t really matter to me because everyone is out to pretty much beat the crap out of you. Така, it doesn’t matter where you fight. It’s the competition, and that’s how I take it.

Q

Едвин, what will it mean to you to fight so close to Worcester?

И. Rodriguez

It means a lot because I haven’t fought at home for about four years now. Така, I’m excited to come back and fight close to home with family and friends supporting me. It’s something that helps me and pushes me to take it to the next level.

Q

Едвин, first question; how do you feel at light-heavyweight? Are you more comfortable now than you were at super middleweight? Do you feel stronger, and is your stamina a little better?

И. Rodriguez

I feel great now. I feel like 175 is the weight that I belong at. I feel like I’m strong and I’m fast and I feel like I’m the best light heavyweight. I just need the opportunity to prove it, and this is one of them and I’m excited.

Q

You’re with Al Haymon. Adonis Stevenson is with Al Haymon. Is that what boxing and fans can assume, that this is all building towards a fight with Adonis Stevenson for the title?

И. Rodriguez

Точно сега, I’m focused on Baker. He’s an undefeated hungry fighter, but that’s the goal. I want to fight the best guy so I can prove that I’m the best. Adonis Stevenson is a good fighter. He has proved he’s the world champion and that’s who I want in the future. Така, I’m just setting myself up and I’m working hard to look impressive against Baker and to get my opportunity to show the world that I’m on the best.

Q

Craig, just what is it about Edwin that impresses you and what will you have to do to beat him?

C. Пекар

Добре, I’m really impressed with the improvements that he’s made. I see him pushing forward, pushing issues and always in your face. Това е добре. Харесва ми, че. В края на деня, I just have to show up and fight. That’s the way I take the game. I have to bring my A game at all times and that’s what I do.

Q

I was looking at the records of a lot of your opponents. You fought a lot of guys with pretty poor records. Why is that and why did you make the step up a couple of fights ago?

C. Пекар

I just felt like it was time, един.

Q

Едвин, what impresses you about Craig Baker?

И. Rodriguez

He’s a hungry fighter and it doesn’t matter who he’s fought. He’s undefeated and you can’t take an undefeated fighter lightly, especially one that defeated a guy that had over 400 amateur fights and was a big prospect in the pros, like Savigne. You can’t take a guy like Craig Baker lightly.

Q

You’ve defeated undefeated fighters in the past. Така, how is your confidence level going in when you fight somebody who hasn’t lost?

И. Rodriguez

I believe a lot of my skills and I’m very confident, but I’m not stupid. I know that a fighter who’s undefeated comes in with a very strong mentality and I’m ready. I’ve been working hard for this fight knowing that this guy is undefeated and I have to take that away from him. But at the same time, we’ve got to respect everyone because we’re all competitors and it’s all about looking good and winning and he’s just in my way right now.

L. DiBella

Благодаря. The main event of the evening is a super middleweight world title fight and it features two guys that have been engrained into boxing since they were amateurs. James DeGale is an Olympic gold medalist. He’ll be facing Andre Dirrell. James is from England; Andre from the US. Andre was a bronze medalist in the Olympics. This is a match of two of the very best super middleweights in the world and figures to be a terrific fight.

James is promoted by Matchroom Boxing and Eddie Hearn is on the call. When you go to Q&A, if anyone has a question for Eddie, Eddie is available. We’re going to start with James DeGale. James, би ли искал да кажа няколко думи? James is 21-1, с 14 Нокаута.

James DeGale

Да, my time is here. My time is here, следващата събота. I’ve trained extremely hard and you’re in for a treat because you’re going to watch two very talented hungry fighters следващата събота fight it out for a world title. I honestly think it’s going to be a hell of a fight, one I’m confident of winning. Така, fasten your seatbelts, един. It should be good.

L. DiBella

Благодаря, James. Andre Dirrell, please say a few words.

Andre Dirrell

I agree with James. This is going to be a very good fight. I’ve trained my butt off as well. Everything went very smoothly this camp. He’s a hungry fighter. I’m a hungry fighter. We are both in desperate need or desperate want of a world title and I myself feel very confident and I’m excited about this match, един. He feels like he’s an undefeated fighter. I feel like I’m an undefeated fighter, but we both have a lot to prove, един. Така, we’re going to come to the full effect and I believe it’s going to be a great show.

L. DiBella

Благодаря, Друг. We’re going to open it up to questions now. One more time, it’s PBC on NBC broadcast. It will be on May 23^RD, Събота afternoon of Memorial Day Weekend, 4:30 p.m. И/1:30 p.m. PT. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster, 1-800-745-3000 and we’re going to open it up for questions now.

Q

This is for James. This is your first fight in the United States and also, this is the first time a lot of people are going to get to see you because you’re going to be on national television. What are you expecting in terms of the energy and what it’s going to be like performing in a completely new audience?

J. DeGale

Да. I’m looking forward to it. I’m used to it as well because obviously back in England I’m promoted by Matchroom, a well-known commercial company. Така, I box on big shows in front of 10,000-20,000 хора. It should be good. They have a lot of Irish and English over there. Така, I should have some good support and I’m looking forward to it.

Q

Let me follow-up with another question. There was a time that you considered retiring from the sport and becoming a personal trainer. Can you talk about that a little bit and looking back, are you glad you made the right decision to continue to do boxing?

J. DeGale

Да. It’s pretty simple. I was going through a hard time with my promoter at the time and I was a bit depressed because I wasn’t getting my chances and I wasn’t getting the right fights and I boxed on small shows. I basically was a bit depressed and I couldn’t motivate myself properly. Така, да, that was the way it was and then I made the change to Matchroom and things have just gone from pretty bad to really great.

Очевидно, my last two performances speak for themself. I boxed Brandon Gonzales, an undefeated American, a confident American. He come over to America and I boxed him front of 80,000 people and knocked him out in four rounds.

Then four months later, I boxed Periban. If you don’t know Marco Antonio Periban, he boxed Sakio Bika for the world title and lost on a split decision and I knocked him out in three rounds. Така, I’m confident. I’m feeling good, and I’m motivated very well at the minute.

Q

Друг, when you brother lost, he lost a close decision .What was your conversation with Anthony like because you lost a close fight you thought you’d won. Така, how have you been able to converse with him about getting through that loss?

A. Dirrell

Добре, I didn’t have to say much because he was confident after the fight, but I pretty much had him realize that you’ve had a bad night after he had a terrific camp, but I believe that’s where he left it. He left it in that. When it came to fight time, he had a few setbacks leading up to the fight and unfortunately, he lost, but we saw a lot of things that he needs to correct. I told him to watch the fight over and over again because that’s what I used to do in my fight, any fight that I feel bad about. Така, I just told him keep his confidence up, man and stay on that run, един. Don’t lay off at all. That’s all we can do, един. I’ve learned a lot from past experience and one thing’s for certain; you can’t take anything from the past and bring it to the future. Only confidence.

Така, I’m feeling good, един. He’s excited for me and I’m going to keep that name alive and keep the Dirrell name going.

Q

Everybody talks about the super middleweights, they talk about Andre Ward. But it seems like some people forget how good of a boxer that you are because you had to take this time off. With this being on NBC and getting in front of a large audience, are you looking at this as an opportunity to put your name back in that conversation for people who may have forgotten how good Andre Dirrell is?

A. Dirrell

People know and in the end, it’s my job to keep my name lean. I haven’t had the opportunity to do that as well. I had a major setback as well, but with that I stayed in the game, stayed sharp. I was sharp in my last couple of performances. I’m looking forward to the future and this is the breakout fight like I said. James is one hell of a fighter. He has a lot of heart, a lot of spunk, a lot of energy, един, and he wants to win.

If you want to put me in front of a fighter for a world championship fight, then James DeGale is bar none one of the best to do it in front of. Така, I’m excited about this fight. I think this is probably one of the biggest fights from Premier Boxing Champion that they’ve had and I’m excited to be on that big stage. Така, I want a breakout performance and I did everything in camp to make sure I can do so.

Q

How does it feel to be the first Brit on the verge of making some boxing history?

J. DeGale

Тя се чувства страхотно, but I need to stay focused and keep my eye out on the prize. That’s what I have to do. Но, знаеш ли какво? A lot of people say I’m obsessed about making history, about becoming the first Olympic gold medalist from Great Britain to win a genuine world title. Но знаете ли какво? Аз съм. I am because that’s what drives me and that’s what makes me train hard every day. Така, да, I’m looking forward to it.

Q

Добре, and you touched on a little bit there. I mean not so long ago you were boxing in front of a couple of hundred people at the shopping center in Blue Water and now you’re making noise on TV in America. How does that feel, the difference?

J. DeGale

Добре, it’s fantastic. Sure a lot of credit has to go to Eddie Hearn. I’m a buzz fire. I like the big audience. I like the big lights. I’m just feeling real relaxed, chilled and ready to perform следващата събота. I’m buzzing. I really can’t wait; just being in America and knowing that I’m going to make my debut следващата събота in front of millions of Americans and back in the UK as well. It’s going to be fantastic.

Q

Друг, this fight seems to be your highest profile fight since five years ago when you had the Abraham fight, when he got DQ’ed. You were leading at that time. Can you tell us at this point, where are you physically and mentally compared to where you were when you were obviously at the top of the division five years ago?

A. Dirrell

Добре, I look at it all from a mental aspect. As of now, един, I’m grown tremendously in my mind. I’ve realized how important boxing is to me and what it takes to become world champion, the work you have to put in and I just follow those guidelines every day. I’m a very motivated fighter, very self-motivated. A lot of fighters run with music, have to listen to music.

If I can hear my punches while I’m hitting the bag, I’m motivated. Така, nothing motivates me more than hard work and that’s all I look for. The fight is won in the gym, not on fight night. It’s what you do in the gym, not how hard you put up a fight.

I’ve done all of that and more. I feel very relaxed. I’m very energetic and I’m feeling the vibe already and I really can’t wait to make Събота myself. I feel I have a lot to prove and I have a different Andre Dirrell to show, one that’s just as sharp, just as fast, just as brave, but just has a bigger mental capacity. I’m excited about next week.

Q

What do you think your advantages are over James DeGale in this fight?

A. Dirrell

We’re pretty much evenly matched and I actually like that scenario because I know I’m faster. I know I’m smarter and I know I’m a better boxer. It’s just as simple as that. Но, none of that can come into play without hard work, and I know he’s worked his ass off, един. He has to come over to America just like I went over there to England to try to fight for a world championship.

I know what kind of guy I’m going to face come the 23^RD. I’ve worked my butt off like I said, , and with those advantages, I’ve put the hard work in so I can display that. I just feel like I’ll be the better man that night.

Q

James, tell us why you think you’re confident that you’re going to be able to win this fight?

J. DeGale

Momentum is a big thing. Look at my last two performances against good, quality opponents and look his last three. Слушам, I come from good pedigree and so does Andre. We’re good, quality, young fighters. But I just think overall, I’m better. I think he struggles. He doesn’t like it when it gets hard in there. He’s a competent fighter, but he likes it when he’s dictating the pace and he’s on the front foot.

Well listen, I’m not going to let him rest. He thinks this is going to be a boxing match. Добре, this ain’t. I’m telling him now. This ain’t going to be a boxing match. I’m going in there and I’m taking the title. Аз съм го приемате. I’m ripping it away from him.

Q

Do you think you’re a really improved fighter? I know that the loss that you had to Groves was very controversial, but how much do you think you’ve improved since that fight with Groves?

J. DeGale

It’s like night and day. Слушам, and another thing, I was in this for two years as well. I had two operations on my groin. Така, I couldn’t throw my shots with any power. I couldn’t run the ring properly. Even in the fight at Wembley in front of 80,000 Не бях 100% надясно. Even against Periban I wasn’t 100% надясно. Now I’m 100% надясно, fully healthy, fully focused and mentally right. Така, you’re going to see me step up again следващата събота.

Q

James, you mentioned about being a buzz fighter and this is the biggest stage, the biggest pressure you’ve ever been under. Така, does this mean we’re going to see your best ever performance?

J. DeGale

I honestly do. The way I’ve been in the gym training, спаринг, тичане, I honestly think you’re going to see the performance of my career so far. My last couple of fights after my injuries have been sorted and I just got better and better and I think this one is going to top it and winning my world title as well and making history.

Q

Но, do you deal with the pressure and does that inspire you more?

JamesI thrive on it. Познаваш ме. I thrive in it. I’m just looking forward to it. As I say, it’s my debut as a professional in America. Така, I’m buzzing right now. You don’t understand. I’m just really looking forward to it.

Q

Друг. You’ve obviously fought Carl Froch and you’ve watched video of James I imagine. How do they compare as fighters and who do you rate as a better fighter?

A. Dirrell

As far as skill, I can give it to James DeGale, but as far as toughness, mental toughness, physical toughness, that’s Carl Froch. We all know how mentally strong he is. Така, I have to give the edge to Carl Froch in that aspect, but as I said before, I know DeGale is coming to fight and no one gets in that ring and fights me as they want to fight. You know what I’m saying? Just like he thinks it’s going to be an easy fight. I feel like I have a lot more to prove as well.

Така, I’m looking to bring the fight as well and I’m working hard in the gym. I made it tough on myself. The more pressure you actually put on me, the more dangerous I become.

I’m really excited as well, един. I have a lot to prove. He has a lot to prove. This is going to be the best fight yet on Premier Boxing Champions.

Q

Basically for Andre, there was a chance obviously this fight could end up going to Britain. You’ve been to Britain before and you were very unlucky against Carl Froch. Was that something you were against, to face another title fight in Britain?

A. Dirrell

I’m not going to say that because I enjoyed my time over there. I believe I won the fight like I said and it just didn’t go my way unfortunately. I don’t like to judge my future fights based on past. I look forward to fighting in Britain again, in England again, the UK again whenever that day may come. I had a lot of fans over there; I have a lot of fans over there and I enjoy my time over there. I’ve been going over there since the amateurs. I enjoy it very much and I’m a world-class fighter. Така, I want to be displayed on a world-class level.

I’m definitely looking forward to it. If it was over there, if it had to be over there, така да бъде. I would have came over there to fight James. We are world competitors, world-class. We fight for world titles. Why should it be in America all the time? This is a world-class sport and we should treat it like one.

Q

Arthur Abraham kind of robbed you of your great win when he hit you on the floor. That was looking like such a great performance that night. In the sort of layup after that, how close did you come to actually having to retire? Was there ever a time you thought you might not box again?

A. Dirrell

I was going through some stuff with my family. I actually wanted to. I knew in my heart that I’d get my time again. I knew my time would come. I knew I had a chance of getting out of my contract. Така, I kept training. Разбира се, there were times that I would hit slumps and feel like I’m doing it for nothing, but it was quite a stressful time for me. I think I always knew that I would be able to get back in that ring. Така, I stayed busy and it didn’t really totally veer me away from the sport, but I do know the feeling.

I did feel like any moment could come up to where that it could be over just like that and I had to deal with it and I could easily retire. If it happened again, I just might. I knew that my time was coming again. There’s always hope there. I just kept pushing forward and here I am now.

Q

One for you, James, quickly. You’re in Florida now. Can you tell us where you are and how’s it going?

J. DeGale

Да, не, I’m in Miami. I’ve been training here for the past week. Така, we climatized and we adjusted and we’re ready to go.

L. DiBella

Just a couple of final words. Благодаря, Едвин, Craig, Andre and James. This is a great undercard that features a lot of New England talent and I want to acknowledge Murphys Boxing, our friend Ken Casey who’s with the legendary Irish band, the Dropkick Murphys, and is helping us with local promotion. We’re going to have a lot of announcements coming about some great fight week activities.

Premier Boxing Champions on NBC, PBC on NBC Saturday, Май 23^RD at Boston’s Agganis Area,4:30 p.m. И/1:30 p.m. PT for the beginning of the broadcast. Tickets for the live event are available at Ticketmaster.com. За зареждане на телефон, обадете Ticketmaster в 1-800-745-3000. Tune into NBC on Saturday, Май 23^RD, but if you can be with us in Boston, join us at the Agganis Arena. Благодаря, всички, за присъединяването ни.

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Tickets for the return of big-time boxing to Boston, която се насърчава от DiBella Entertainment съвместно с Murphys Boxing, са с цени $250, $200, $100, $75, $50 и $35, Не включително приложимите такси и данъци за услуги, и са в продажба сега. Билетите ще бъдат на разположение вwww.ticketmaster.com. За зареждане на телефон, обадете Ticketmaster в (800) 745-3000.