Tag Archives: boxing

boxing, TruTV Boxing

MetroPCS Friday Night Knockout on truTV Continues Friday, May 15, at 10 p.m. ET

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Card Highlighted by Title Bout Between Jose Benavidez Jr. & Jorge Paez, Jr.

 

truTV and Top Rank will exclusively present the MetroPCS Friday Night Knockout on truTV, a live primetime boxing series on Friday, May 15, at 10 p.m. ET from the US Airway Center in Phoenix.  The new boxing series, produced in association with Turner Sports and HBO Sports, will feature a 12-round bout for the WBA interim World Super Lightweight title between champion Jose Benavidez, Jr. (22-0-0, 15 KOs), fighting in his hometown against Jorge Paez, Jr. (38-5-2, 23 KOs) of Mexico.  Additionally, Antonio Orozco (21-0-0, 15 KOs) will meet Emmanuel Taylor (18-3-0, 12 KOs) in a 10-round super lightweight bout.

 

Commentators for the event will include Kevin Kugler providing play-by-play with analysts Timothy Bradley and Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini and reporter Crystina Poncher.  Kugler is a veteran announcer who has called college basketball and NFL coverage for Westwood One and college football for the Big Ten Network.  Bradley is a former WBO welterweight champion and former WBO and two-time WBC junior welterweight champion.  Mancini is a 2015 International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee and former NABF and WBA lightweight champion.  Poncher is a commentator and reporter for Top Rank, as well as a host, reporter and correspondent for NFL Network and NFL.com. Closed captioning in Spanish will be available for the truTV telecast.

 

The network’s presentation will feature the continued use of “Spidercam” technology, the first of its kind for a live domestic boxing telecast, providing dynamic coverage during the series.  “Spidercam” operates on a four-point system of cables from designated points beyond the corners of the boxing ring. The suspended camera has the ability to provide compelling 360-degree angles of the action including the ability to move in three dimensions – left/right, forward/backward and up/down.

 

As part of its entitlement sponsorship of the boxing series on truTV, MetroPCS will receive camera-visible center ring and corner pad brand placement for each fight, as well as inclusion in all promotional messaging across truTV and other Turner Broadcasting networks.

 

Visit the Turner Sports online pressroom for additional press materials; follow Turner Sports on Twitter at @TurnerSportsPR.

 

boxing

Featherweight Prospect Mario Barrios Remains Undefeated With 6th Round KO

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Photos by Team Barrios

SAN ANTONIO, TX (May 12, 2015) – This past Saturday at the State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, Texas, Super-Featherweight sensation, Mario Barrios (9-0, 5 KOs), remained undefeated with a spectacular 6th round knockout over Jose Del Valle (4-11-3) from Puerto Rico.

 

“Fighting Del Valle was a great experience for me because he was just as tall as me standing around 6’2,” said Mario Barrios. “I got a lot of rounds and got the knockout in round 6.  I’m ready to make a quick return to the ring and take my career to the next level with Al Haymon. I’m very happy with the way my career is going.  I’ll be looking to return sometime this summer.”

 

Standing 6’1, Barrios is on the fast track to super stardom.  Managed by Al Haymon, Barrios will most likely make his return to the ring next month.  Look for Barrios to move to 8-round bout in the very near future.

boxing, kickboxing, UK Boxing

13 Time KB World Champ Hunt Signs With Vaughan – Pro Boxing Debut, Liverpool 23rd May

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Undisputed and unified WBC, ISKA, WAKO, IKF & WKA World Champion, Marlon Hunt, is set to begin his professional boxing career later this month, following his signing management papers with renowned Liverpool based promoter Stephen Vaughan.

 

Hunt, who has held World titles in three different disciplines – Kick Boxing, K-1 Rules and Muay Thai – and five different weight categories, will be making his professional boxing debut on Vaughan’s upcoming NEW ERA event, which takes place at the Grand Central Hall in Liverpool on Saturday 23rd May.

 

With a record breaking thirteen World titles to his name already, Hunt has made it clear that he is not entering the world of professional boxing to just make up the numbers, as when he spoke earlier he made it crystal clear that the change of discipline is so that he can focus on becoming a record holding four discipline World Champion.

 

“I’ve obviously done Kick Boxing, K-I Rules and Muay Thai, went through all the ranks there, won literally all the World titles in those sports, all the major World titles as well, so now I think it’s time to give pro boxing a shot.

 

I only signed with Stephen Vaughan on the 2nd May and it looks like I’m going to be busy straight away, he has me boxing on May 23rdin Liverpool and again on the 25th July in Malta.

 

That was a shock, so let’s get it done, that’s the good thing about Steve, you know, it was literally I wanted to be managed by him as he sorts things out really quick.

 

This really suits me, I want to start challenging for titles as soon as possible, I’ve done everything that I’ve done in the other sports, I’ve been told for many years I should switch to pro boxing, but I didn’t think it was the right time, especially now with what I have won, again it will help me going up the rankings a little faster than I would have done otherwise, because of my experience, yeah I think it is the right time now.

 

I will still compete occasionally at Kick Boxing, as long as it doesn’t interfere with my pro boxing, I do want to do the mandatory defenses in my other sports, yeah I really want to defend my World titles still, apart from that I am concentrating fully on my pro boxing career.

 

There’s only a few people that have successfully transferred from one sport to the other, Chris Algieri, he was a kick boxer and has won a pro boxing World title, if Algieri can do it, I’m sure if I push the right way and I’m getting the right fights, I’m sure I can do the same thing.

 

I’m going to do the best that I can and become a four sport Champion, I don’t think to my knowledge that has actually done that yet, you know World Champion at Kick Boxing, K1, Muay Thai and Pro Boxing, so really would like to be the first to do that.

 

I’ve got some good loyal fans and they’ll be following me through the boxing as well and hopefully when I start pro boxing I’ll attract even more fans too, I feel that this is really good for the sport, not just by being able to attract new blood from the other sports, but also by doing that introduce new fans to both sports.

 

I’m really looking forward to the 23rd May and the beginning of a new pro boxing career for myself.”

 

On Saturday May 23rd, Hunt will be in first class company, as others boxing on the star studded bill include; reigning World Boxing Federation (WBF) World Welterweight Champion Chris Goodwin in action against London’s Mark ‘The Flash’ Alexander.

Reigning World Boxing Federation (WBF) Intercontinental Super Bantamweight Champion, Paul Economides, former British Super Middleweight and International Boxing Organisation (IBO) International Light Heavyweight Champion Tony Dodson.

BBBofC Welsh Area Middleweight Champion Lee Churcher, British, Commonwealth and WBF World Title challenger Tony Moran in a local derby with Blackpool’s Mathew Ellis, and Prizefighter Light Middleweight finalist and English title challenger Nick Quigley, who is set to face Scunthorpe’s highly entertaining Jody Meikle.

 

In addition to the Championship experienced boxers, there are also a host of upcoming, unbeaten young prospects boxing on the bill, including; sensational former England amateur Captain Antonio Counihan, Liverpool based hot Russian prospect David Agadzhanyan, who faces former Ghanaian Champion Isaac Owusu, Featherweight prospect Jay Carney, Light Heavyweight prospect Lee Boyce, who takes on Scunthorpe’s Matthew Pepper.

 

Also making his debut on the 23rd May, alongside Hunt, is local lad Dayle Gallagher, whose first opponent as a pro is Nottingham’s Matt Scriven.

 

Marlon Hunt, against a yet to be named opponent, features on the Stephen Vaughan promoted NEW ERA event, which takes place at the Grand Central Hall in Liverpool on Saturday 23rdMay 2015.

Sanctioning for this event will be provided courtesy of the Malta Boxing Commission (MBC) –www.maltaboxingcommission.com

Tickets priced £30 & £40 are available direct from Marlon Hunt, from any of the boxers taking part or call Stephen Vaughan on 07789 037802.

boxing, HBO Boxing

The Mongoose Has Landed

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Willie Monroe Jr. in Los Angeles for Saturday’s Middleweight title bout to be televised on HBO World Championship Boxing® at 10 PM ET/PT

 
WBA number-two ranked contender Willie “El Mongoose” Monroe Jr. arrives at LAX with his team for Saturday’s  Middleweight title fight against Gennady Golovkin that will take place at the Forum in Inglewood, California and will be televised on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 10 PM ET/PT
 
Photo Credit: Banner/Promotions
boxing, ESPN Friday Night Fights

Undefeated New Haven boxer Luis “KO King” Rosa Ready to go from prospect to contender on ESPN Friday Night Fights, Friday, May 15, in Hartford

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HARTFORD (May 11, 2015) – Rising junior featherweight star Luis “KO King” Rosa (19-0, 9 KOs) plans to graduate from top prospect to legitimate contender this Friday (May 15) on ESPN FridayNight Fights, presented by 50 Cent’s SMS Promotions and DiBella Entertainment, in association with Universal Promotions, close to his New Haven home at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford.

 

A native of Puerto Rico, the 24-year-old Rosa takes on Colombian veteran Jonathan “Popeye” Perez (33-10, 17 KOs) in the 8-round ESPN2 co-feature.

 

Headlining the card will be undefeated Puerto Rican lightweight Reynaldo Ojeda (16-0, 9 KOs) against longtime contender Monty Meza Clay (36-4, 22 KOs) in the 10-round main event.

 

Live coverage will begin at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and will also be available through WatchESPN on computers, smartphones, tablets, Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Xbox 360 and Xbox One via an affiliated video provider. In addition, ESPN Deportes’ Noche de Combates will carry the fights live on broadband Spanish-language ESPN Deportes+.

 

The popular Rosa, who is world rated at No. 15 by the World Boxing Association (WBA) and No. 16 by the World Boxing Council (WBC), has prepared for a breakout performance in front of a large ESPN Friday Night Fights viewing audience.

 

“This is a huge fight for me,” Rosa said. “It’s great fighting on ESPN and I’m going to show the nation what I’m all about. I’m prepared to put on an explosive show. I feel that I’m close to getting a title shot. I want to fight world-class opponents and I plan to prove I’m ready on Friday night.

 

“It’s always great fighting in my home state and I’m sure I’ll have a lot of fans there. At the end of the day, though, I’m going to get the job done and it doesn’t matter where the fight would be held.”

 

Perez, 28, a professional fighter since 2005, has won 14 of his last 15 bouts. The battle-tested Colombian has fought the likes of world champions Cristian Mijares, Abner Mares, Jose Lopez, Martin Castillo, Eric Ortiz and Raul Martinez, as well a world title challenger Jesus Jimenez.

 

“Perez is a veteran with 44 pro fights,” said Rosa about Perez. “He’s fought a lot of world-class guys and champions. I know he’s coming to fight. He’s going to come forward and he wants to bang. He’s strong, I’m stronger. I’m faster, too, and the better all-around fighter. I’ll be ready for whatever he brings.”

Live coverage will begin at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and will also be available through WatchESPN on computers, smartphones, tablets, Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Xbox 360 and Xbox One via an affiliated video provider. In addition, ESPN Deportes’ Noche de Combates will carry the fights live on broadband Spanish-language ESPN Deportes+.

 

Fighting on the undercard are a pair of promising foreign boxers who are now living in the United States, as well as several New England and New York City favorites.

 

Undefeated Ukrainian middleweight Ivan Golub (7-0, 5 KOs), fighting out of Brooklyn, meets fellow Ukrainian Kostyantyn Rovenskyy (18-1-2, 5 KOs) in a six-round bout. Kazakh super middleweightDauren Yeleussinov (1-0), also living in Brooklyn, meets Jay “JD” Williams (3-6), of Louisiana, in a scheduled six-rounder.

 

Also slated to fight in six-round bouts on the undercard are unbeaten New Haven light heavyweightCharles Foster (7-0, 3 KOs) facing Woonsocket, RI, opponent Joe Gardner (11-7-1, 1 KO) and undefeated Bronx middleweight Chris Galeano (7-0) taking on Las Vegas’ upset-minded Yosmani Abreu (4-8-2).

 

Three four-round matches are also on tap with Waterbury, CT, junior welterweight Jair Ramos (3-2-1, 2 KOs) vs. Harlem’s Curtis Morton (3-4-2), Miami lightweight Alberto Candeleria (4-2-1, 3 KOs) vs. Brooklyn’s Ian James (3-11-1, 1 KO), and New Haven junior lightweight William Foster III (1-0) vs. TBA.

Tickets are currently on sale and are priced at $100, $65 and $35 (plus applicable taxes). Tickets can be purchased by calling 1 (860) 728-2624 or 1 (203) 627-7472. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. ET with the first bout scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.

 
boxing, CBS Boxing

Championship Boxing Returns to CBS Sports Network on Friday, May 29 in Memphis

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Greg Cohen Promotions Proudly Presents
Kayode vs. Kisner in Cruiserweight Main Event

 

On Friday, May 29, Greg Cohen Promotions, in association with GH3 Promotions, Prize Fight Promotion and Adam Wilcock’s Fight Card Productions, produced by David Schuster’s Winner Take All Productions, proudly announce the return of “Championship Boxing,” which will air live on CBS Sports Network (10:00 PM, ET) from the WC Handy Pavilion on Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee.

 

Headlining the night will be an intriguing 10-round cruiserweight battle between long-time undefeated contender Lateef “Power” Kayode (20-0, 16 KOs) and once-beaten “Slick” Nick Kisner (14-1-1, 5 KOs). In the co-main event, promising WBO #10 lightweight Josh King of Australia will make his US television debut in a regional title fight against Batesville, Arkansas‘ Rogelio Casarez (9-3, 4 KOs).

 

Also featured in televised action that night will be women’s superstar Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano (23-1-1, 18 KOs) in a super featherweight showcase, as well as super middleweight Derrick “Take It to The Bank” Webster (18-0, 9 KOs) putting his undefeated record on the line.

 

Tickets for “Championship Boxing” are priced at $20 General Admission and $30 VIP and are available by calling 901.900.2236.

 

32-year-old Lateef Kayode was born in Lagos, Nigeria but resides in California. Known for his immense strength and punching power, Kayode has been a top contender at 200 lbs for many years and is the current WBO-NABO and NABF Cruiserweight Champion. He is trained by four-time Trainer of the Year Freddie Roach. Kayode has also held the WBA-NABA Cruiserweight Championship. In 2013, Kayode fought to a draw with multiple world champion Antonio Tarver.

 

A naturally fluid boxer with superb skills, 24-year-old Nick Kisner hails from Baltimore, Maryland. As an amateur, and among countless distinctions, Kisner was a three-time National Silver Gloves Champion and Ringside World Champion. He holds the distinction of being the youngest boxer in American history (17) to ever win a Men’s National Title in the Heavyweight Division. As a professional, Kisner’s two losses are a controversial draw in the opponent’s hometown and a split decision loss to fellow top prospect Junior Wright in Wright’s hometown of Chicago.

 

29-year-old Josh King is from Townsville, Queensland, Australia. As a professional, he has already held the Australian Super Lightweight and WBF World Super Lightweight titles and is the current WBO Oriental Lightweight and WBO Asia Pacific Lightweight Champion. As an amateur, King was 50-15 and a five-time Australian and five-time Golden Gloves Champ, among many distinctions.

 

26-year-old southpaw Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano (23-1-1, 18 KOs) is a former Staten Island amateur champion, New York City Golden Gloves amateur champion, and Empire State amateur champion. She turned professional in 2009 and has already won the NABF Featherweight, Universal Boxing Federation World Featherweight, Women’s International Boxing Association World Featherweight, IBF World Super Featherweight, Universal Boxing Federation Inter­Continental Super Featherweight, and WBO World Lightweight Championships. She is currently ranked # 1 by the International Boxing Federation (IBF), #2 by the World Boxing Association (WBA), and in the World Boxing Council (WBC) is ranked #5 at the featherweight.

 

Throughout his pro career, 32-year-old southpaw Derrick Webster has trouble finding opponents. At 6′ 4″ the towering super middleweight with the heavyweight reach is a handful for anyone in the world. Webster has worked as a sparring partner for former WBC and IBO Light Heavyweight Champion Jean Pascal, Super Middleweight Champion Andre Ward, Roy Jones Jr., Bernard Hopkins, light heavyweight king Sergey Kovalev and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

 

“It’s great to be back in Memphis, working with my good friends Brian and Russ Young,” said Greg Cohen. “This will be a world-class event, featuring a mix of championship contenders and local talent. The card will be stacked from top to bottom with action-packed bouts that will have the crowd on Beale Street energized all night long. This is a truly special event and I couldn’t be more pumped!!”

 

Several local favorites will be showcased on the night’s undercard. On fight night, doors open @ 6:00 pm. The live television telecast will run from 10 pm to 12 am EST on CBS Sports Network. For more information, visit www.gcpboxing.com.
boxing, NBC, Premier Boxing Champions

SUPERSTAR ROBERT GUERRERO TO BATTLE LOS ANGELES’ OWN ARON MARTINEZ  ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON, JUNE 6 AS PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON NBC COMES TO STUBHUB CENTER IN CARSON, CALIF. STARTING AT 3 P.M. ET/NOON PT

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Plus! Chris Arreola & Alfredo Angulo

To Compete In Separate Bouts

 

And a Featherweight Showdown Between Jesus Cuellar & Vic Darchinyan

 

CARSON, CALIF (May 11, 2015) –Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero (32-3-1, 18 KOs) returns to the ring as he squares off against Aron Martinez (19-3-1, 4 KOs) on Saturday afternoon, June 6 as Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on NBC comes to StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.   The broadcast begins at 3 p.m. ET/noon PT.

 

Also featured on the card are perennial stars Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola (36-4, 31 KOs) and Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo (22-5, 18 KOs) who will compete in separate bouts. Rounding out action is a sure to be action packed featherweight showdown as Jesus Cuellar (26-1, 20 KOs) battles Vic Darchinyan (40-7-1, 29 KOs).

 

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are priced at $200, $150, $100, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and service charges, are on sale now and are available for purchase online at AXS.com.

 

“I’m very happy to be making a quick return to the ring, especially on NBC.”  said Guerrero. “It’s an honor to be fighting at StubHub Center once again as the main event. I’m going to bring it like always and give the fans an exciting fight. I can’t wait for the bell to ring!”

 

“I’m very thankful for the opportunity to fight Robert Guerrero on network television,” said Martinez. “Since my last fight, I’ve been in the gym working extremely hard. I want to shock the world and beat ‘The Ghost.’ Make no mistake about it, I’m coming to win.”

 

“I am so happy to be getting back in the ring so soon after my last fight [March 13],” said Arreola. “The opportunity to stay busy and fight at StubHub Center is great and I plan on showcasing my skills.”

 

“I am grateful for the chance to fight on such a great card in Southern California where I have fought several times before,” said Angulo. “I see this as an important fight for me and I know that the fans won’t be disappointed.”

 

“We’re very excited to return to StubHub Center and work with the

NBC team on an action-packed card” said Tom Brown of TGB Promotions. “Robert Guerrero and Aron Martinez will provide fireworks from the opening bell in

the main event and we’ll be adding a full card of terrific undercard fights

for a complete afternoon of entertainment for Southern California fight fans.”

 

The 32-year-old Guerrero out of Gilroy, California owns victories over Andre Berto, Selcuk Aydin and Michael Katsidis. He most recently electrified fans with an exciting performance against Keith Thurman on the inaugural PBC card on March 7 of this year. A former world champion in four weight classes, Guerrero looks to put on another outstanding performance on June 6 at StubHub Center.

 

Born in Uruapan, Michoacan de Ocampo, Mexico, but fighting out of East Los Angeles, Martinez makes his StubHub Center debut on June 6. The 33-year-old turned pro in 2005 and won his first seven starts before a technical draw in 2007 against Vito Gaspayran. A tough fighter Martinez strung together 10 straight victories between 2009 and 2012..

 

The 34-year-old Arreola defeated Curtis Harper in a thrilling heavyweight showdown on March 13 in Ontario, Calif. Born in Escondido, Calif. but fighting out of Los Angeles, Arreola has long been one of the most feared punchers in the heavyweight division. Having challenged the best in the division, Arreola knows what it takes to succeed at this level and looks to entertain his hometown fans on June 6.

 

A hard fighting Mexican warrior born in Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico but fighting out of Coachella, Calif.,Angulo is looking for a big victory in front of his adopted hometown fans. Always ready to challenge the best in the sport, the 32-year-old has gone toe-to-toe with some of the best fighters in the world and holds knockout victories over Gabriel Rosado, Joachim Alcine and Joel Julio.

 

A fast-rising star out of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Cuellar looks to make it 10 victories in a row when he battles Darchinyan on June 6. His power in both hands has led him to six knockouts of his last nine victories including a second round destruction of Puerto Rican icon Juan Manuel Lopez in Sept. 2014. The 28-year-old will make his first career start in California when he enters the ring at StubHub Center.

 

Looking to put himself back into the discussion of top featherweights, the 39-year-old Darchinyan comes in with the kind of experience to topple the explosive Cuellar. A former world champion, the fighter from Armenia who fights out of Glendale, California is coming off of a ninth-round TKO over Juan Jimenez in February of this year. Having fought against top contenders such as Abner Mares, Nonito Donaire and Nicholas Walters, Darchinyan also owns victories over Yonnhy Perez, Jorge Arce and Cristian Mijares.

 

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com and www.nbcsports.com/boxing, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @NBCSports, @GHOSTBOXING, @NightmareBoxing, @ElPerro82, @JesusCuellarBOX & @VicDarchinyan and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxing, and www.facebook.com/NBCSports.
boxing, HBO Boxing, Roc Nation

DANIEL GEALE  ARRIVES IN THE UNITED STATES; TRAINING CAMP TO BE HELD IN NEW JERSEY

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Photos by Team Geale

NORTH BERGEN, NEW JERSEY (May 11, 2015) – Former world champion, Daniel Geale (31-3, 16 KO’s) has arrived in the United States for his upcoming showdown with WBC and Ring Magazine Middleweight World Champion Miguel Cotto (39-4, 32 KO’s).  Geale will host the remainder of his training camp in North Bergen, NJ.

 

“I’ve arrived in the States with my trainer Shaw and I’m excited to get camp started in New Jersey,” said Daniel Geale. “Gary Shaw has provided me with a nice gym and I’m going to start my sparring sessions right away.  This is a big fight, not only for my team and I, but for my countrymen as well. A new champion will be crowned on June 6th.”
Cotto vs. Geale, a 12-round fight for Cotto’s WBC and Ring Magazine Middleweight World Championships, takes place Saturday, June 6 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn and will be televised live on HBO.  The fight is presented by Roc Nation Sports and Miguel Cotto Promotions in association Gary Shaw Productions and is sponsored by Cerveza Tecate. Tickets priced at $500, $350, $250, $200, $150, $100, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes, are on sale now and available for purchase at www.barclayscenter.com, www.ticketmaster.com and at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. To charge by phone, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Doors open at 6:00 PM, the first fight begins at 6:15 PM and the HBO telecast begins at 10:30 PM ET/PT.

 

For more information please visit www.rocnation.com. Follow Roc Nation on Twitter and Instagram @rocnation and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RocNation.

 

For more information, visit www.hbo.com/boxing, follow on Twitter and Instagram at @HBOBoxing and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing.

boxing, CBS Boxing, Premier Boxing Champions

OMAR FIGUEROA DEFEATS RICKY BURNS AT STATE FARM ARENA IN HIDALGO, TEXAS ON PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON CBS

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Jamie McDonnell Earns Close Decision Over

Tomoki Kameda

 

Click HERE For Photos From Esther Lin/PBC on CBS

 

HIDALGO, TEXAS (May 9, 2015) – Omar “Panterita” Figueroa (25-0-1, 18 KOs) remained undefeated as he put on an exciting show in front of a raucous hometown crowd and earned a unanimous decision over Ricky Burns (37-5-1, 11 KOs) on Premier Boxing Champions on CBS live from State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, Texas.

 

Figueroa was the sharper fighter who landed harder punches and was able to dictate the pace of the fight. Burns was deducted a point in both the eighth and 11th rounds by the referee for excessive holding. “Panterita” won by scores of 116-110 twice and 117-109.

 

In the first televised fight of the afternoon, British star Jamie McDonnell (25-2-1, 12 KOs) earned a narrow but unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Tomoki “El Mexicanito” Kameda (31-1, 19 KOs). McDonnell was knocked down for the first time in his career by a sharp right hand from Kameda in round three but quickly recovered to win by a score of 114-113 on all three judges’ cards.

 

Here are what the fighters had to say after their bouts:

 

OMAR FIGUEROA

 

“Fighting a fight like that, it takes a lot to go even four rounds, much less 12. With a fighter like that, leaning on you and using his weight on you it’s tough. I’m just glad I was in shape and didn’t let my fans down.

 

“I’m a very offensive fighter, so the holding kind of slowed me down. I tried to do what I could and, thankfully, the judges saw that.

 

“My hands are a little sore, but I really did hold back on my punches, especially because he has one of those European guards where he holds his hands up high and his elbows are exposed. I had to be careful going to the body because that’s how I hurt my hands most times, from hitting the elbows. I felt ridiculously strong at the new weight, but I didn’t think my hands would hold up, so I was holding back and trying to win the fight on points and if I could hurt him I would try to stop him.

 

“He was punching me behind the head, so I felt like I had to do the same. If you want to play like that, I can play that game.

 

“At the end of the fight, he came with a good body shot that hurt me a bit. That’s why I slowed down at the end. I have to give it to Ricky. He’s a tough fighter.

 

“It’s time to rest up. I’ve been training since the beginning of the year and I deserve a little rest.”

 

RICKY BURNS

 

“We knew it was going to be a tough fight, but I didn’t agree with the deductions for holding. I thought he was holding as much as me and that’s why I had to tie him up.

 

“We moved up in weight for this one but still had some trouble making weight, but I didn’t want to jeopardize my chance to fight in America.

 

“I think it was his size that gave me problems more than anything. I don’t know what weight he was in that ring, but it was a lot bigger than me.

 

“The plan was to try to stick to boxing for the first half of the fight, but once the size really took over I had to stand and exchange more than I would have liked. I couldn’t get him off of me. I’ve got no excuses, as I said the best man will win.

 

“I always leave everything in the ring and that’s all I can do. I hope everyone who watched enjoyed the fight.

 

“We’ve enjoyed the experience of being in the U.S., obviously the decision didn’t go our way which puts a damper on it, but overall everyone here in Texas has been great. I want to say a big thank you to everybody. I hope to back again.”

 

JAMIE MCDONNELL

 

“I felt in control all the way through. It was a great performance. I know I should have just boxed but I wanted to fight.

 

“I didn’t think I was going to get the decision being abroad, but it’s more than spectacular to come out of here victorious. He’s a great, undefeated champion.

 

“His speed surprised me on the knockdown. I knew he was going to be fast, but I didn’t expect it like that. I didn’t see the shot and next thing I knew I was on the floor.

 

“Hit and move, hit and move, that was the strategy. I remember being in there and thinking, ‘Man, this isn’t easy.’ I knew the crowd was going to go his way but it was a great experience.

 

“It’s been a fantastic time being here in America. I’d like to see some familiar faces but it’s a new experience. I was up against it but I knew I could pull it off. I knew deep inside that I could do it.

 

“I think I’m going to move up in weight. I want to catch the big fights before they’re gone.”

 

TOMOKI KAMEDA

 

“I think I won the fight. I did enough to win. He did a lot to win the last rounds, but I did more over the fight. I don’t agree with the judges decision, but I respect it.

 

“I knew he would get up after the knockdown because he’s a world champion. He’s a great fighter and I take my hat off to him, but I won the fight.

 

“I want a rematch.”

 

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