Tag Archives: boxing

BET NETWORKS ANNOUNCES EXCLUSIVE BROADCAST PARTNERSHIP TO TELECAST ROC NATION SPORTS throne boxing EVENTS LIVE WITH PREMIERE MAIN EVENT TO FEATURE WBA SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION ANDRE WARD

 

WARD TO FACE PAUL SMITH ON JUNE 20, 2015

AT ORACLE ARENA IN OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA LIVE ON BET

 

NEW YORK — April 23, 2015 — BET Networks is pleased to announce that it is stepping into the ring with Roc Nation Sports as their exclusive broadcast partner to air live throne boxing events on the network. The partnership between BET Networks and Roc Nation Sports is the first of its kind for the network and includes airing up to nine live, two-hour telecasts of Roc Nation Sports throne boxing events over the next 18 months. The first main event fight to air on BET Networks will feature WBA Super Middleweight World Champion Andre Ward (27-0, 14 KO’s) facing former World Title Challenger Paul Smith (35-5, 20 KO’s) of England in a 12 round bout on Saturday, June 20, 2015 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. In addition to the great action inside the ring, the telecast will feature several notable Roc Nation touches that offer an unprecedented fan experience, including a live musical performance and a name DJ to keep the energy at a high level throughout the night. Fans can catch the action live on BET in the United States and globally on TIDAL.com, the newly launched music streaming service that combines the best high fidelity sound quality, high definition music videos and expertly curated editorial.

 

Tickets priced at $250, $125, $90, $60 and $30, not including applicable service charges and taxes, go on sale Friday, April 24 at 10:00 AM PT and will be available at all Ticketmaster locations, online at Ticketmaster.com and charge by phone at (800) 745-3000.

 

“BET is constantly searching for ways to expand its portfolio of content with the sole goal of satisfying our audiences,” said Stephen G. Hill, President of Programming, BET Networks. “Roc Nation is doing very exciting things in the entertainment space and we are excited to partner with them on this groundbreaking deal positioning BET Networks as a go-to destination for premier live boxing events. Together, we’ll provide unique entertainment.”

 

“We’re thrilled to not only be introducing our newest broadcast partnership with BET Networks, but also to use this new platform to telecast Andre Ward’s highly anticipated return to the ring,” said David Itskowitch, COO – Boxing of Roc Nation Sports. “On June 20, we will once again provide fans a night of exciting throne boxing fights, live musical entertainment and an unprecedented fan experience.”

 

“I’m very excited to be coming back on June 20 at Oracle Arena in my hometown of Oakland which has been a long time coming,” said Ward. “I’m equally excited to be fighting on BET in front of a potential viewership of over 90 million homes. As a fighter, this diversifies my portfolio and puts me in front of a whole different audience. I have an extremely tough fighter in front of me in Paul Smith who’s looking to pull the upset, but I can’t let that happen. I have to be on my best game to turn Smith away and beat him the way I want to beat him. As always, I’m ready to put on a tremendous performance in front of my hometown fans and those watching on BET. This is a fight you don’t want to miss.”

 

“I cannot wait to get back in the ring and test myself against a class act like Andre Ward. I proved that I belong at the top level with my performances against Arthur Abraham and this is a challenge that I am relishing,” said Smith. “Andre is a top pound-for-pound fighter and someone I respect a lot, but he has only boxed once in almost three years and I will give it everything I have got. I am fresh and confident going into this fight. It’s a massive opportunity for me and one that I took with both hands when it was offered. I have spent a lot of time boxing in the United States and I look forward to returning for this fight.”

 

Known for his strong character and integrity outside the ring and his killer instinct inside it, Andre Ward’s skill and talent were apparent early in his outstanding amateur career. He racked up every title in the books, culminating with a gold medal in the light heavyweight division at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. As the only male American boxer to claim Olympic gold since 1996, Ward joined the likes of Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard and Oscar De La Hoya. He turned professional on December 18, 2004, scoring a second round technical knockout victory over Chris Molina at Staples Center in a fight that was televised live on HBO. He has gone on to rack up 26 more victories since then, building an ever-growing legion of fans in the process. After becoming the Ring Magazine and WBA Super Middleweight World Champion, rising to the number two spot on the pound-for-pound list and winning the 2011 Fighter of the Year Award (ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Ring Magazine and the Boxing Writers Association of America), it was announced that Ward signed an exclusive promotional agreement with Roc Nation Sports in January 2015, opening a new chapter in his storied boxing career. Now the Bay Area product is ready to return to the ring on June 20 at the Oracle Arena in front of his hometown fans in Oakland, California.

 

Paul “Real Gone Kid” Smith enters his fight against pound-for-pound star Ward coming off of two heroic performances against WBO Super Middleweight World Champion Arthur Abraham. Smith challenged the Armenian-German for his title in Kiel, Germany in September 2014 and put on the performance of his career in his world title first shot. The 32-year-old native of Liverpool was the clear winner of large parts of the fight and celebrated at the bell in front of a hushed partisan crowd that thought that Abraham had been dethroned. Smith was not expecting the wide scorecards that were read out in favor of the hometown fighter and, judging by the far-reaching outrage at the lopsided numbers, neither were the majority of the boxing world and beyond, with Smith receiving support from some of Britain’s biggest sports stars on social media. A rematch was the only possible scenario and, like a true champion, Abraham duly obliged. Smith returned to Germany in February of this year to face Abraham again, this time in Berlin, but Abraham was a different fighter the night of their second fight, successfully defending his belt against a brave challenge from Smith. Once again the judges’ were forced to give a verdict and this time a decision win by Abraham was met with no outcry of controversy. On June 20, “Real Gone Kid” will return to the ring and once again venture into hostile territory to take on one of boxing’s best, looking to silence the crowd.

 

Ward vs. Smith, a 12 round bout presented by Roc Nation Sports, takes place Saturday, June 20 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California, will be televised live on BET and streamed globally on TIDAL.com at 10:00 PM ET/7:00 PM PT and is presented in association with Matchroom Sport.

 

ABOUT BET NETWORKS:

BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B), is the nation’s leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; CENTRIC, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the 25- to 54-year-old African-American audience; BET Digital Networks – BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company with festivals and live events spanning the globe; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET in the United Kingdom and oversees the extension of BET network programming for global distribution.

 

ABOUT ROC NATION SPORTS:

Roc Nation Sports, a sub-division of Roc Nation, launched in spring 2013. Founder Shawn “JAY Z” Carter’s love of sports lead to the natural formation of Roc Nations Sports, helping athletes in the same way Roc Nation has been helping artists in the music industry for years. Roc Nation Sports focuses on elevating athletes’ career on a global scale both on and off the field. Roc Nation Sports conceptualizes and executes marketing and endorsement deals, community outreach, charitable tie-ins, media relations and brand strategy. Roc Nation Sports launched its boxing division, a full service promotional company which represents world champions Miguel Cotto and Andre Ward, in August 2014.  Roc Nation Sports’ roster includes premiere athletes such as Robinson Cano, Skylar Diggins, Kevin Durant, Geno Smith, Victor Cruz, CC Sabathia, James Young, Dez Bryant, Ndamukong Suh, Rusney Castillo, Yoenis Cespedes, Jaelen Strong, Todd Gurley, Wilson Chandler, Erick Aybar and Frances Tiafoe. For more information please visit www.rocnation.com. Follow Roc Nation on Twitter and Instagram @rocnation and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RocNation.

 

ABOUT ORACLE ARENA & O.co COLISEUM:

Oracle Arena and O.co Coliseum, managed by AEG Facilities, are the premiere sports and entertainment complexes in Northern California. Home of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors, the NFL’s Oakland Raiders and MLB’s Oakland Athletics as well as host to concerts, family shows and special events.  Additional information on Oracle Arena and O.co Coliseum, including a complete schedule of events can be found online at www.coliseum.com. Follow Oracle Arena on Twitter, Instagram, Vine and Snapchat @OracleArena and on Facebook www.faecbook.com/OracleArenaO.coColiseum.

 

‘It’s Really Happening’ Builds on Original ‘Week of Greatness’ Spot


Foot Locker, Inc. (NYSE: FL)
April 23, 2015

NEW YORK, April 23, 2015 Foot Locker, Inc. (NYSE: FL), the New York-based specialty athletic retailer, today debuted a new television spot, “It’s Really Happening,” in celebration of the highly-anticipated and long-awaited bout between champion boxers on Saturday, May 2.

The new spot builds on Foot Locker’s “Week of Greatness” commercial from November 2014, which played on enduring attempts to schedule the oft-rumored mega fight, ending with Pacquiao believing that the fight was happening back then.  In this newest commercial, Pacquiao’s business manager tells him that the fight really is going to happen, which at first surprises Pacquiao, then he again reacts with his signature elation made famous in the original spot.

“Our original ‘Week of Greatness’ spot with Manny Pacquiao last November was a big hit with our customers. It parodied the well-documented opposition of the fighters to agree upon a deal,” said Stacy Cunningham, Executive Vice President of Marketing for Foot Locker. “So when the two sides finally announced that a deal had been made, we saw an opportunity to follow up, tapping into the hilarity of the original spot.  We are excited to launch ‘It’s Really Happening,’ as part of Foot Locker’s signature ‘Approved’ marketing platform.”

The spot was created by worldwide agency BBDO.

About Foot Locker:

Foot Locker is part of Foot Locker, Inc., a specialty athletic retailer that operates approximately 3,500 stores in 23 countries in North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.  Through its Foot Locker, Footaction, Lady Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, Champs Sports, SIX:02, Runners Point, and Sidestep retail stores, as well as its direct-to-customer channel, including footlocker.com, Eastbay.com, SIX:02.com,runnerspoint.com, and sidestep-shoes.com, the Company is a leading provider of athletic footwear and apparel.

Additional information may be found at footlocker.com | Twitter: @footlocker | Instagram: @footlocker | YouTube: youtube.com/footlocker | Blog:unlocked.footlocker.com | Facebook: facebook.com/footlocker  #Approved

LIVE EVENT AND CLOSED CIRCUIT TICKETS FOR FLOYD MAYWEATHER VS. MANNY PACQUIAO ON SALE THURSDAY, APRIL 23

 

Closed Circuit Locations Available at all MGM Resorts International Properties Along The Strip

 

LAS VEGAS (April 22, 2015) – Tickets for the highly anticipated world championship showdown betweenFloyd “Money” Mayweather and Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao taking place Saturday, May 2 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena will be available tomorrow for both in-arena and closed circuit viewing.

 

Tickets for the live event priced at $7,500, $5,000, $3,500, $2,500 and $1,500, not including applicable service charges, go on sale Thursday, April 23 at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT. Tickets are limited to four (4) per household. To charge by phone or with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also will be available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

 

The closed circuit telecast will be available at all MGM Resorts International properties in Las Vegas.  General admission tickets for closed circuit viewing will be $150, not including handling fees, and will go on saleThursday, April 23 at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT.  Tickets will be available for purchase at the individual property’s box office outlets, by phone with a major credit card at (866) 799-7711 or through Ticketmaster by calling (800) 745-3000.  Closed circuit tickets are limited to eight (8) per household.

 

*          *          *

 

Mayweather vs. Pacquiao is a 12-round welterweight world championship unification bout promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Top Rank Inc., and is sponsored by Tecate. The pay-per-view telecast will be co-produced and co-distributed by SHOWTIME PPV® and HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. PT.

 

For more information visit www.mayweatherpromotions.comwww.toprank.comwww.SHO.com/Sports,www.hbo.com/boxing and www.mgmgrand.com and follow on Twitter at @floydmayweather, @MannyPacquiao @mayweatherpromo, @TRBoxing, @SHOSports, @HBOboxing and @Swanson_Comm, and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FloydMayweatherwww.facebook.com/TopRankMannyPacquiao www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotionswww.facebook.com/TRBoxingwww.facebook.com/SHOsports and www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing.

FLOYD MAYWEATHER VS. MANNY PACQUIAO OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN TO BENEFIT SUSAN G. KOMEN & THE CLEVELAND CLINIC LOU RUVO CENTER FOR BRAIN HEALTH

 

TICKETS WILL BE REQUIRED FOR PUBLIC ADMISSION ON

MAY 1 AT THE MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA

 

Tickets Go On Sale Tomorrow

 

LAS VEGAS (April 23, 2015) – The official weigh-in for the world championship matchup between Floyd “Money” Mayweather and Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao is set for Friday, May 1 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Due to the expected demand for access to this event, fans will be required to purchase a ticket ahead of time in order to attend the weigh-in.  All funds raised through ticket sales will benefit Susan G. Komen and the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health on behalf of the promotion.

 

Tickets for the weigh-in are priced at $10 with a total ticket limit of 10, and are on sale Friday April 24 at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT. Tickets can be purchased through the MGM Resorts Call Center at (866) 740-7711 or at any MGM Resorts Box Office.

 

“The weigh-in is always the grand finale of fight week activities.” said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. “And with the massive interest in this fight, the number of fans looking to attend the official weigh-in is going to be something we’ve never seen before. We’re excited to be able to use the enthusiasm around this event to provide donations to two very deserving charities.

 

“The charge of $10 for the weigh-in will benefit two great charities. All proceeds will go right to them. This is a win-win situation for all,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank.

 

Fans in attendance can expect an electric atmosphere coupled with a full show featuring music and entertainment as the two fighters meet one last time before their historic fight Saturday, May 2 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

 

*          *          *

Mayweather vs. Pacquiao is a 12-round welterweight world championship unification bout that is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Top Rank Inc., Mayweather vs. Pacquiao is a 12-round welterweight world championship unification bout promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Top Rank Inc., and is sponsored by Tecate con caracter, Paramount Pictures and Skydance Productions -Terminator Genisys, in theaters July 1st, Paramount Pictures & Skydance Productions present MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: ROGUE NATION, in theaters & IMAX July 31st, The Weinstein Company and the new movie Southpaw, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, in theaters everywhere July 24 and Mexico, Live it to Believe it. The pay-per-view telecast will be co-produced and co-distributed by SHOWTIME PPV® and HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/ 6:00 p.m. PT.

 

 

For more information visit www.mayweatherpromotions.comwww.toprank.comwww.SHO.com/Sports,www.hbo.com/boxing and www.mgmgrand.com and follow on Twitter at @floydmayweather, @MannyPacquiao @mayweatherpromo, @TRBoxing, @SHOSports, @HBOboxing and @Swanson_Comm, and become a fan on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/FloydMayweatherwww.facebook.com/TopRankMannyPacquiao www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotionswww.facebook.com/TRBoxingwww.facebook.com/SHOsports andwww.facebook.com/HBOBoxing.

Kyrone Davis looks to shut down Carlos Garcia this Saturday at Harrahs Philadelphia 

Omar Douglas takes on former world title challenger Daniel Attah in main event plus undefeated, Angel Ocasio, Christopher Brooker, Earl Newman, Stephan Shaw, Adam Kownacki, Stephen Fulton, Jovontae Starks and Raynell Williams
Chester, PA (April 23 2015)–This  Saturday night, April 25, boxing returns to Harrahs Philadelphia with a terrific card promoted by King’s Promotions and XFE.

In the main event, undefeated lightweight Omar Douglas will see action in an six-round bout when he now fights former world title challenger Daniel Attah (28-19-1, 11 KO’s) of Washington, D.C.

In the co-feature bout, undefeated super middleweight Kyrone “Shut it Down” Davis will look to remain perfect when he takes on veteran Carlos Garcia in a bout scheduled for six rounds.

Davis of Wilmington, Delaware will be making his second start of 2015 as he is coming off six-round unanimous decision over Jonathan Garcia on January 31 in Philadelphia.

“Training has gone real well.  I have been doing a lot of roadwork and I feel good,” said the 20-year old Davis.

In Garcia, he is facing a tested fighter who has been in the ring with eleven undefeated fighters including Michael Anderson. Jermell Charlo, Charles Hatley, Lanard Lane, Jonel Tapia, Yordenis Ugas, Glen Tapia, Daniel Rosario and in his last bout when he was stopped in five rounds

“I don’t know too much about him other than he has about 20 fights and he is six-feet tall.”

After a great amateur career, Davis is continuing to learn and grow into the professional ranks.

“I have been learning patience, timing and ring generalship.  I am getting comfortable without using the headgear and fighting with the smaller gloves and creating my identity as a fighter.”

This will be the second consecutive fight in the Philadelphia area for Davis as Harrahs Philadelphia is just up I-95 from Davis’ Wilmington home.

“I like that everyone can come see me fight.  Other than that I just go about my business and prepare like any other fight.”

Davis believes that he will be ready for bigger stages in the next year.

“We are progressing.  We are hoping for a television spot later in the year.  I just want everyone to come out and support us on Saturday.  I will shut it down like I always do and put on a great show.”

Said Davis’ adviser Stephen Edwards, “Kyrone is progressing great.  He has has 20 round of professional experience and he has not lost any of them,  He is right on schedule and is getting used to the professional ranks.”

In an eight-round bout, Javonte Starks (11-0, 7 KO’s) of Minneapolis, MN. will takeJeremiah Wiggins (10-3-1, 5 KO’s) of Newport News, VA in a welterweight bout..

Also in six-round bouts:

Angel Ocasio (7-0, 2 KO’s) of Philadelphia will take on Justin Johnson (6-7-4) of Pittsburgh, PA in a Jr. welterweight bout.

Adam Kownacki (8-0, 8 KO’s) of Brooklyn, NY will try to keep his perfect knockout streak going when he fights Randy Easton (3-6-1, 3 KO’s) of Sunbury, PA in a heavyweight bout.

Stephen Fulton (4-0, 1 KO) of Philadelphia will fight Jamal Parram (7-10-1, 5 KO’s) of St. Louis, MO in a featherweight bout.

Former U.S. Olympian, Raynell Williams (6-0, 3 KO’s) of Cleveland, OH will square off with Alfred Hall (4-8-2, 2 KO’s) of Jackson, Michigan in a lightweight bout.

In four-round bouts:

Christpher Brooker (1-0, 1 KO) of Philadelphia, PA take on Maurice Amaro (2-8, 1 KO) of Philadelphia, PA in a super middleweight bout.

Stephan Shaw (3-0, 3 KO’s) of St. Louis, MO will battle Zachary Bunce  (2-1, 1 KO) of Las Vegas, NV in a heavyweight bout.

Earl Newman (4-0, 3 KO’s) of Brooklyn, NY will fight Julio Garcia  (6-8-3, 3 KO’s) of Rincon, PR in a light heavyweight bout.

Tickets for this great night of boxing cost $100, $75 and $50 and can be purchased by calling 610-587-5950 or www.hboxing.eventbrite.com

The 1st bout will start at 7 PM with the doors opening at 6 PM.

MetroPCS Friday Night Knockout on truTV to Debut Friday, May 1, at 10 p.m. ET

New Primetime Series to Include First-Ever Use of “Spidercam” for Live Boxing Telecast

Kevin Kugler to Provide Play-by-Play with World Class Welterweight Timothy Bradley & Reporter Crystina Poncher

truTV and Top Rank will partner to exclusively present the MetroPCS Friday Night Knockout on truTV, a live primetime boxing series set to debut Friday, May 1, at 10 p.m. ET. The new boxing series, in association with Turner Sports and HBO Sports, will launch on the eve of the Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao pay-per-view fight with a card featuring two title bouts inside The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

The network’s presentation will feature the first-ever domestic use of “Spidercam” technology for a live boxing telecast, providing dynamic coverage of this new 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.

“Spidercam” will provide the definitive views of the action throughout the series, including a main event on Friday, May 1, showcasing Takahiro Ao (27-3-1, 16 KOs) from Chiba, Japan, vs. Ray Beltran (29-7-1, 17 KOs) from Los Mochis, Mexico, in a 12-round bout for the vacant WBO Lightweight World Championship. The undercard will include two undefeated fighters in action – Mikael Zewski (26-0, 23 KOs) from Quebec, Canada, vs. Konstantin Ponomarev (27-0, 13 KOs) from Miass, Russia – in a 10-round bout for the NABF Welterweight Championship.

Commentators for the event will include Kevin Kugler providing play-by-play with analyst Timothy Bradley 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, including a win over Pacquiao during his career. Poncher is a commentator and reporter for Top Rank, as well as a host, reporter and correspondent for NFL Network and NFL.com. Additionally, closed captioning in Spanish will be available.

The second week of the MetroPCS Friday Night Knockout on truTV series – live from Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., on Friday, May 8, at 10 p.m. – will be headlined by Top-10 contenders Glen “Jersey Boy” Tapia (23-1, 15 KOs) from Passaic, N.J., and “Irish” Seanie Monaghan (23-0, 15 KOs) in action. Tapia will defend his NABO junior middleweight title against Michael Soro (25-1-1, 15 KOs) from France, with Monaghan (defending his WBC Continental Americas light heavyweight title) facing Cleiton Conceicao (20-6-2, 16 KOs) from Brazil.

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. Sony PlayStation also joins as an associate sponsor of the series, with in-ring signage and inclusion in promotional spots.

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

KENNETH SIMS JR. RETURNS THIS SATURDAY AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

 

 

NEW YORK (April 23, 2015 Gary Shaw Productions undefeated Jr. Welterweight prospect, Kenneth Sims Jr. (5-0, 2 KOs) will return to the ring this Saturday at the Madison Square Garden Theater on the undercard of Klitschko vs. Jennings.  Sims Jr. will face veteran Luis Rodriguez (3-2, 2 KOs) in a 6-round bout.

 

Kenneth Sims Jr. was a chief sparring partner for Manny Pacquiao, getting him ready for his super fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. He’ll look to use that experience against Rodriguez, and impress those in attendance with a great performance.

 

“I’m coming off a great training camp with Manny Pacquiao, where I gained invaluable experience,” said Kenneth Sims Jr. “I learned a lot from one of the greatest fighters of all time.  I’m going into this fight with a tremendous amount of confidence.  I’m going to be throwing a lot of hard punches with precise accuracy. I want to thank Gary Shaw for giving me another wonderful opportunity to showcase my skills on the big stage.  Fighting at Madison Square Garden is a dream come true.”

 

“Kenneth has shown me he wants to take his career to new heights,” Gary Shaw said. “The fact the Team Pacquiao wanted him in camp says it all.  He’s got a lot of God given talent and I’m very happy with his development. I encourage everyone to show up early top get a glimpse of a future star.”

 

Boxing App: Introducing The MadHatters Audience Scorecard

MAD HATTERS

 

LAS VEGAS, NV (April 23, 2015) – The MadHatters Audience Scorecard for Boxing App is ready just in time for the biggest fight in boxing history.

 

For the novice or the most active fight fan, the MadHatter Audience Scorecard App allows YOU to be the judge.  The App teaches the novice fight fan how to score fights with very easy instructions.  In addition the App is very easy to use with its touch interface screen.  This App is perfect for watching live events with a crowd or at home by yourself.  Never use pen and paper to score a fight again.

  • Learn to score fights with easy instructions.
  • Customize your fighter’s pictures and colors.
  • Keep a record of all the fights you have scored and allows you to compare with professional judges, friends and other boxing fans.
  • Share your scores on social media (Facebook and Twitter).
  • Easy and fun to use!

For just .99 cents, you can download the App for your iPhone in the App Store and for your Andriod phone it’s available in the Google Play store.  Advertising is available for businesses of all sizes.  When using this App it proves our company motto“The Greatest Judge of all Time…You!”

FLOYD MAYWEATHER MEDIA CONFERENCE CALL TRANSCRIPT

 Kelly Swanson         

Thanks, everybody, for joining us today. Today on the call we have none other than ‘TBE’ the greatest fighter on the earth, Floyd Mayweather, 11-time World Champion. We also have Leonard Ellerbe, CEO, Mayweather Promotions.  Leonard, please start with the introductions.  Thank you.

 

Leonard Ellerbe       

Thank you, everyone, for joining us on the call. We’ll jump right into this without further ado.  None other than Floyd Mayweather himself.

 

Floyd Mayweather   

Hey, how is everyone doing?  I want to thank Leonard.  I want to thank Kelly.  I want to thank my team.  I want to thank all the media from around the world that have been covering this fight.  I want to thank everyone, I just want to say that you guys are doing a great job and I appreciate you.

 

Q

That thing on SportsCenter the other night, when you were talking about your place in boxing history and you said you thought you were greater than Muhammad Ali.  Can you expand on your reasons why you feel that way?

 

F. Mayweather         

I just feel like, like I said before, I take my hat off and then acknowledge all of the past champions. Ali, I think he was a legend.  I respect Ali like I respect any other champion.  I just feel like I’ve done everything I can do in this sport over my whole life, for 30-something years.  I feel like I’ve done just as much in this sport as Ali did.

 

There’s no disrespect to him.  I just feel like, when you look at it, Ali was great in one weight class, which is heavyweight.  But he stood up for a good cause; he stood up for a hell of a cause in his era.

 

I think that it’s hard for a guy to beat me. I’m still sharp, still very, very sharp at the age of 38.  Still going strong at the age of 38.  There’s no disrespect to Ali, as I said before.  I just feel like I’m the best, no different from how he called himself ‘The Greatest,’ I call myself ‘TBE.’

 

I’m pretty sure that I will get criticized for what I said, but I can care less.  I couldn’t care less about the backlash.  I believe what I believe like he probably got criticized at one particular time when he said that he was the greatest.  He felt like he was better than Sugar Ray Robinson.  The list goes on and on.  I’m pretty sure there’s going to be another fighter that’s going to come along and say he’s better than Floyd Mayweather and he’s going to get criticized.

 

Q        

Do you think that Manny Pacquiao believes anything that Freddie Roach is saying when it comes to the bad guy and all this other stuff?  Or do you think he’s just blowing smoke?

 

F. Mayweather         

I’m not going to speak negative about Freddie Roach.  I don’t have to at all.  If I say something about the guy, they’re going to think Floyd is picking on a guy, who is not 100 percent healthy.

 

Then, if I comment on some of the stuff he says, he’s making this basically a God and devil type thing.  The best way to handle a situation like that, is not to say anything at all, if you don’t have anything positive to say.  He don’t have to get in there and fight, so when it comes down to it, it’s up to the two fighters.

 

He’s entitled to say what he wants to say, but the fighter is not speaking like that.  I couldn’t care less because it comes down to the two fighters.  I wish Freddie Roach nothing but the best; I don’t have anything negative to say about him.  I’m truly blessed to be where I’m at and I’m thankful to be where I’m at.

 

Q

The magnitude of this fight, I know you treat it like just another fight, but what about your team?  How has your team dealt with the press?

 

F. Mayweather         

I’m very happy, like I said before.  A little bit of everything got me to this point. Everybody played a major key.  I try to keep my team grounded.  People talk about the money.  That plays a major key.  My place in history plays a major key.  Performing well plays a major key.  Everything plays a major, major key.

 

I just try to keep my team grounded and try to keep them focused and just try to teach them every day how to go out there and fish for themselves.  That’s the only thing I try to teach my team.  I tell them to stay positive, and what I’ve heard was keep a positive environment around myself, which keeps me comfortable and happy.

 

Q

Are you excited at any point of this fight?  I know you say you treat this like a job, but are you excited to finally get in the ring and have this fight happen?

 

F. Mayweather         

It’s just like I said before.  I’m not really going crazy.  It’s just a fight to me.  I know it’s the biggest fight in boxing history, but I can’t approach it like that because I’m not going to put any unnecessary pressure on myself.

 

He’s a fighter that’s extremely talented, he’s a very good fighter also, and my thing is just to be Floyd Mayweather.  People actually don’t know, how is this fight going to be fought?  I can’t say.  Like I said before, I’m not a psychic.  I cannot predict the future.  But I will be at my best May 2nd.

 

Q

Listen, if you believe Bob Arum, this fight might not happen.  That there’s issues with tickets, there’s the contract has not been signed, whatever.  Do you know anything about that?

 

F. Mayweather         

When it comes to the business side, that’s for Leonard Ellerbe.  I don’t try to worry about tickets; I try to worry about the guy that’s in front of in me, which is going to be Manny Pacquiao.  That’s my whole focus.  Tickets are something I don’t really deal with.

 

Q

Have you trained harder for any previous fight than you have for this one, and would that be down to your respect for Manny or the fact that you need to work a bit harder the older you get?

 

F. Mayweather         

When you’re trying to perform, when you’re at this level, you always want to perform extremely well.  You don’t want to overtrain.  You want to train to where you know you’re completely ready.  Go out there and be at just 100 percent.  As far as this training camp, I’ve trained extremely hard.  I believe that we’ll just see how everything plays out.

 

Q

I’m hearing reports, Floyd, that you’re looking stronger and fitter than ever.

 

F. Mayweather         

Well, some people say that, you might not believe that depending on who is telling you. Hopefully.  Hopefully I am.  We’ll just have to see.  That’s why I’m at this level, at the pinnacle of my career, because I’ve been pushing myself for so long and working so hard.

 

Q

Can I just ask you about Amir Khan?  Is he still in your plans?

 

F. Mayweather

My focus right now is the guy that’s in front of me.  My last fight is in September.  I never want to overlook anyone.  I believe you take it one fighter at a time.  As of right now, Manny Pacquaio is the guy that’s in front of me, and that’s my focus.

 

Q

My question is regarding, Manny Pacquiao has said he thinks it’s Floyd’s time to lose.  He’s almost implying that it’s maybe, God is on his side.  I was wondering how you think, if God actually does care who wins prizefights?

 

F. Mayweather         

I actually believe God loves us all.  The people that are on this call, every writer, every fighter, every athlete that goes out there and competes.  God loves us all.  Once again, I’m a fighter.  What I do, I’m a professional prizefighter.  I believe in God and I love God. I don’t think God takes sides.

 

Q

Lot of stuff gets reported in the fourth or the sixth weeks leading up to this.  We don’t always get a chance to ask you yourself, so I want to give you the opportunity.  Is there anything that was reported that you want to clear up that you want to actually say no, that isn’t true, you guys got it wrong?

 

F. Mayweather         

No, nothing at all.  Because once my career is over, that’s when I’m going to read everything, anyway, all the articles that people have written.  When I come home, I leave boxing at the boxing gym.  When I go to the gym or when I go to train, I work.  I dedicate myself to my craft.

 

When I come home and I’m not on the computer, I’m not looking at myself.  I’m not buying magazine covers with me on the cover.  I’m not on the computer looking up articles.  I could care less about all that.  My job is to go out there and perform and be at my best, and be the best that I can be in the sport of boxing.

 

Q

My question for you is, in your opinion, what would a victory against Pacquiao do for your legacy?  And then how much would it enhance your legacy.

 

F. Mayweather         

It’s just another fight. I just look at the situation.  He’s another guy that I faced.  You’re just going to say in history, that these two faced each other at one particular time.  It was hard to make the fight happen, eventually they made the fight happen, and we faced each other.

 

Q

Do you believe, though, that a victory would in some way enhance your legacy?

 

F. Mayweather         

I’m not sure, because I’m not the one that’s putting myself in the history books.

 

Q

Do you think it’s true that the winner of the fight will be declared, in essence, by the public, as the king of this era?

 

F. Mayweather         

I can’t really say.  I don’t really know.  Just look at Ali’s career.  When he fought, he looked like the best when he fought.  I think he lost seven fights.  When I got older I noticed that he lost seven fights and lost some other fight that he lost.  He still was known as the greatest. Because that’s what he put out there.  So, that’s what it is.

 

Q

The wonderment on a lot of people’s minds is when the career is over, will you have enough money for the rest of your life?  Do you ever worry about losing at all?

 

F. Mayweather         

I’m blessed. I made some good investments to where if I wanted to retire today, I could.

 

Q

That means there’s no fear of bankruptcy whatsoever in terms of the gambling and the other involvements that you’ve spent?

 

F. Mayweather         

I made some good investments, and if I wanted to retire today, I could.

 

Q        

My question is, you said at the press conference that you though that Pacquiao was surprised at how much bigger you were than him.  Can you talk a little bit about that, and then also some of the strategic aspects of being the bigger fighter in the ring on May 2?

 

F. Mayweather         

Normally when I face an opponent, they normally outweighed me by 17 to 20 pounds on fight nights.  This has been going on for a good while now.  You can read a guy’s body language.  When Pacquiao first saw me in Miami, he didn’t expect to see me over there at the basketball game. He looked shocked, like, ‘Damn, he is taller than me.  He’s bigger than what I thought he was.’ Just being in the sport for so long, you’re able to read body language; you’re able to read a fighter’s eyes.

 

Q

Do you feel that some of the trash talking is Freddie Roach being nervous about the fight and trying to get a psychological edge on you?

 

F. Mayweather         

I’m not fighting Freddie Roach, so I’m not worried about that at all.  Freddie Roach, he’s Pacquiao’s trainer and he’s going to do what he has to do for his fighter to win.  If that’s trying to get an edge, then that’s what he should do.

 

Q

All of your other fights, you’ve always been a very vocal, always been a vocal fighter.  Why the silence this time?

 

F. Mayweather         

This is exactly what I’ve said.  Even in my interviews, I’ve said we had to bring a game plan.  Even from day one when I was with Bob Arum, I said I wanted to work extremely hard to get to a certain point in my career, which is to get to a point to be the first fighter to ever make nine figures in one night.

 

It took a game plan to me going out there on my own.  It’s just me speaking out with a very, very loud voice.  Having a lot of personality.  But as you get older, you mature.  After trash talking for 17, 18 years, and constantly saying, look what I’ve done.  Look at me.  Look at me.  You know what I’m saying?  I’m the best.  Look at me.  And everybody they’ve put in front of me I’ve beaten.

 

I’m at a point where you just say, you know what?  It is what it is.  I know what I can do.  I know what I bring to the table.  God has truly blessed me to be in this situation.  I have a good team.  My children are healthy, so I don’t have to do all that.

 

It’s more like I did all that loud talking and everything to get to a certain point.  I’ve still got a lot of personality, I did what I had to do to get to a certain point in my career, and that’s what I did.  It was a brilliant game plan.

 

Q

From your personal point of view, how has this fight and this promotion been different from the many other big events that you’ve been a part of?

 

F. Mayweather         

It’s actually been kind of the same.  It’s just a little bit over the top, but I just try to stay relaxed.  That’s my main thing.  It’s a very, very huge event.  I can remember every day.

 

Sometimes I think about when Mike Tyson got out of prison and he was boxing, and when he was fighting at the MGM Grand.  I would go to the MGM Grand, because I wasn’t a professional at that particular time.  Just starting.  I would go to the MGM Grand and some people would know me so I would take pictures and just sign a few autographs.  I was like, man, MGM Grand would never be this packed again.  That’s what I thought.  I was only 19 years old at that particular time.  That was in ’96.  I kept believing though. I always believed that I could do record-breaking numbers.  I just needed the right team with me and it took a little bit of everything.  The right fights, the right team, and we made it happen.

 

Q

Beyond all the trash talk and salesmanship, you’ve always been a guy that, when it comes down to it, is very respectful of his opponents.  I think it’s part of your secret.  Is there anything that you admire about Manny Pacquiao, either the fighter or the person?

 

F. Mayweather         

Well, he’s got to this point by doing something right.  It’s obvious he’s done something right to get to this point.  I have to respect that.

 

Q        

The Filipino fans are expecting or hoping for a very aggressive Manny in the ring.  Is this something that you’re training for, or are you just going in the ring to fight your fight, make the adjustments along the way as you have so successfully throughout your career?

 

F. Mayweather         

If you’re basically asking what’s my game plan, my game plan is to win.  That’s actually what my game plan has always been is to win.

 

Q

A lot of the animosity from the Filipino fans towards you is not directed to you as a great boxer, but more as someone who can put an end towards a Filipino hero’s career. Do you honestly believe that you would put an end to a Filipino hero’s career?

 

F. Mayweather         

Well, my thing is this.  I’ve heard that we’re all God’s children, whether you’re American, Filipino, African, Dominican, Asian, we’re all God’s children.  People are going to root for who they want to root for and simple and plain I’m pretty sure I’ve got Filipino fans that like me, and I’m pretty sure that you’ve got some black American fans that like Pacquiao.

 

I never try to focus on anything like that.  My focus is to give the people what they really want to see.  Just facing the facts.  That’s what I’ve done throughout my career.  He’s one of the last guys, he’s one of the last good fighters of this era.  It’s a fight that has to happen, and I’m glad that the fight is happening.

 

Q

How much strength and effort and support from family does it take to get you where you are right now?

 

F. Mayweather         

Well, the support came a lot.  I had a hell of a supporting cast to get to this point, before I became a professional.  There’s this guy that I never talk about to anyone.  I never say anything about him to anyone.  And he’s doing extremely badly right now, not financially but health-wise.  I believe he’s lost his memory, which hurts extremely bad.  A guy by the name of Frank Brown, I’ve known him since I was the age of three.

 

He has supported me more than anyone.  He has always said that, “Floyd, one day you will be the best fighter in the world.”  He’s always taking me to church, taking me through different activities.  He was like a grandfather to me.  Frank Brown.  When I used to fight, he would drive anywhere.  It could be in Little Rock, Arkansas.  He would drive from Grand Rapids, Michigan to come support me.  He would sit in the room with me and say prayers with me.

 

He’s a guy that I would never forget, because he was there from the age of three until after I fought De La Hoya, because he’s up there in age now.  He eventually lost his memory, so he’s at a home.  He’s at an old folks’ home.  It really hurts, but I love that guy so much.  I think about him all the time.

 

K. Swanson  

Okay, that’s our last question.  Thank you, everybody, for joining us.  Floyd, any final comments?

 

F. Mayweather         

I just want to tell everybody, thank you for all the stories, and all the articles you guys wrote.  Thank you so much.  My team appreciates you all, as well as myself.  Thank you.

 

*          *          *

 

Mayweather vs. Pacquiao is a 12-round welterweight world championship unification bout promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Top Rank Inc., and is sponsored by Tecate con caracter, Paramount Pictures and Skydance Productions -Terminator Genisys, in theaters July 1st, Paramount Pictures & Skydance Productions present MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: ROGUE NATION, in theaters & IMAX July 31st, The Weinstein Company and the new movie Southpaw, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, in theaters everywhere July 24 and Mexico, Live it to Believe it. The pay-per-view telecast will be co-produced and co-distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View® and SHOWTIME PPV® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

Ozgul-Scriven II – Title On The Line For May 2nd York Hall Rematch

Back in October last year unbeaten Hackney based Turk Siar Ozgul and late replacement opponent Matt Scriven campaigned in one of the closest, all action, battles of the year.

 

It was a true small hall classic that really deserved at least to be nominated for the accolade of ‘Fight of The Year’, if not be the outright winner, however that was not to be as somehow it managed to slip under the radar of the majority of the British media.

 

On Saturday May 2nd, these magnificent warriors will once again enter the arena, at the York Hall in Bethnal Green, London, this time in a ten round contest and with the added incentive of a Championship being on the line – the vacant MBC International Welterweight title – on the Mark Lyons and Billy James-Elliott promoted LORDS OF THE RING event.

 

The October Ozgul-Scriven Battle Boyale was reminiscent of the first of the Mickey Ward-Arturo Gatti trilogy of fights that took place in 2002/3, without doubt one of the all time greatest trilogy of fights this sport has ever witnessed.

 

If Ozgul-Scriven II matches the intensity and drama of their first encounter, we could well have another action filled bout, one that equals any of the Ward-Gatti fights, right here in our own back yard, something no boxing fan, or British sports writer should miss.

 

To give an idea of just how sensational their first showdown was, here’s the write up on the bout from the published report by the Canadian Sports Channel fightnetwork.com.

 

“Fifth bout of the night see London based Turk Siar Ozgul in action against Nottingham’s Matt Scriven.

 

What a fight, without doubt the fight of the night, as both protagonists went to war.

 

Ozgul came out hard and strong, initially putting the Nottingham man on the back foot, however Scriven soon started to exert his authority and then the fireworks really began.

 

By the third round the non stop action started to take it’s toll on the Turkish youngster, which allowed Scriven to land some sensational power shots of his own.

 

The final round was a cracker, Ozgul backed Scriven into a corner and let rip with massive right hands, one of which sent Scriven’s mouth guard flying into the crowd ringside.

 

Once the errant mouth guard was retrieved and the bout restarted it was Scriven who went hard on the attack, one such attack late on in the round see Scriven land a massive right that shook Ozgul to the core, Ozgul sensibly went on the defensive for the remaining seconds to see his way to securing his fifth win.

 

Referee Lee Murtagh scored the bout 39-37 in favour of Ozgul, the correct verdict without doubt, but one that really doesn’t express how great this fight was or how close each and every round was.”

 

Siar Ozgul versus Matt Scriven, for the vacant MBC International Welterweight Championship, headlines the Mark Lyons & Billy James-Elliott Wise Guys Promotions LORDS OF THE RING event, that takes place at the York Hall in Bethnal Green, London on Saturday 2nd May 2015.

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

Tickets priced £35 (Standard seating) and £65 (Ringside) are available direct from Siar at the Champions TKO Gym in Hackney – call Mehmet on 07825 618018 – on-line atwww.tkoboxoffice.com or call the TKO ticket line on 07960 850645