Yordenis Ugas Tops Omar Figueroa by Unanimous Decision; Sergey Lipinets Stops Jayar Inson in Two Rounds & Luis Nery Knocks Out Juan Carlos Payano in Ninth Round in Pay-Per-View Undercard
CALEB PLANT RETAINS SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE WITH THIRD-ROUND KNOCKOUT OF MIKE LEE IN FOX PBC FIGHT NIGHT MAIN EVENT PRIOR TO PAY-PER-VIEW
Efe Ajagba Defeats Ali Eren Demirezen by Unanimous Decision in Clash of Unbeaten Heavyweights on FOX
Klik HIERfor Photos from Stewart Cook/FOX Sports Wachtwoord: f0xb0x
Klik HIERfor Pacquiao vs. Thurman & HIERfor Plant vs. Lee Photos from Ryan Hafey/Premier Boxing Champions
Klik HIER Voor foto's van Stephanie Trapp / TGB Promotions
Klik HIER voor foto's van Sean Michael Ham / Mayweather Promotions
LAS VEGAS (Juli 21, 2019) – Boxing’s only eight-division world champion, Senator Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao gedaald Keith “Een Keer” Thurman in round one and won a close split decision to earn a welterweight world title in the main event of a Premier Boxing Champions on FOX Sports Pay-Per-View event Saturday night from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
“It was fun,” Said Pacquiao. “My opponent is a good fighter and boxer. Hij was sterk. I’m not that kind of boxer who talks a lot; we were just promoting the fight. I think he did his best, and I did my best. I think we made the fans happy tonight because it was a good fight.”
The sell-out crowd of 14,356 got treated to great action from the start, as an exciting first round was capped off by Pacquiao dropping Thurman for the first time in his career with a straight right hand late in the round.
“I knew it was too close,” Said Thurman. “He got the knockdown so he had momentum in round one.”
Thurman made it into the second round but continued to have trouble with Pacquiao’s right hand, as the future Hall of Famer threw it successfully as a jab and a power punch throughout the fight. Thurman adjusted in the middle rounds and began to try to smother Pacquiao and walk him down, having success when he was able to get his combinations off before his opponent.
Despite blood pouring from his nose from round four on, Thurman was able to land powerful combinations on Pacquiao for much of the second half of the fight, but was never able to hurt Pacquiao or score a knockdown of his own.
“I wish I had a little bit more output to go toe to toe,” Said Thurman. “I felt like he was getting a little bit tired, but he did have experience in the ring. My conditioning and my output was just behind Manny Pacquiao’s. I would love the rematch.”
In round 10, Pacquiao’s landed a strong left hook to the body that clearly hurt Thurman and forced him to spend much of the remainder of the round backpedaling. The CompuBox scores were indicative of the close nature of the fight, with Thurman out landing Pacquiao 210 naar 195, while Pacquiao was busier throwing 686 slagen op 571 from Thurman.
“I really love the fans,” Said Pacquiao. “Thank you so much for coming here and witnessing the fight. I’m sure they were happy tonight because they saw a good fight. Even though Thurman lost, he did his best. He’s not an easy opponent. He’s a good boxer and he’s strong. I was just blessed tonight.”
Pacquiao had a large advantage in jabs landed, aansluiten op 82 to Thurman’s 18. De 192 power punches landed by Thurman was the most in 43 Pacquiao fights that CompuBox has tracked. Round-by-round, the two fighters were only separated by more than five landed punches in rounds two, seven and nine.
Na 12 rondes, the judges reached a split decision, with one judge scoring the fight 114-113 for Thurman, overruled by two judges scoring it 115-112 for Pacquiao, who captured the WBA Welterweight World Championship at 40-years-old.
“You get blessings and lessons,” Said Thurman. “Tonight was a blessing and a lesson. Thank you everybody, and thank you Manny Pacquiao.”
“Ik denk (I will fight) next year,” Said Pacquiao. “I will go back to the Philippines and work and then make a decision. I do hope to be at the (Errol) Spence vs. (Shawn) Porter fight on September 28.”
The co-main event of the pay-per-view saw top contenderYordenis Ugas (24-4, 11 KO) drop previously unbeatenOmar Figueroa (28-1-1, 19 KO) on his way to a unanimous decision in their WBC welterweight title eliminator.
Ugas got off to a strong start, connecting on a straight right hand that sent Figueroa into the ropes, which he held onto so he didn’t hit the canvas, but enough that referee Russell Mora ruled it a knockdown.
“The fight played out how I thought it would,” said Ugas. “I came out strong and Figueroa was tough as well. This was similar to the fight everyone expected. I came out on top.”
Figueroa recovered and was able to make it to round two, where he continued his strategy of coming forward to try to hurt Ugas on the inside. Ugas was able to control that action on the inside, landing numerous uppercuts to stun Figueroa. Echter, the inside fighting led to Ugas being deducted a point by the referee in round five for holding.
“Ugas fought a smart fight,” Said Figueroa. “He was smothering me on the inside and holding. I thought the scores were too wide. I was following him and working the whole time. I felt like he only worked the last 30 seconds of the round, but I guess that was all it took.
“I didn’t have any problems with his size. I thought I was able to do my thing, but when he was holding me I couldn’t get my offense going.”
Despite that, and being warned later in the fight for delivering low blows, Ugas dominated the fight according to CompuBox, out landing Figueroa 229 naar 131 and connecting with 28% of his punches, to Figueroa’s 22%.
“I knew Figueroa was a tough guy, so I didn’t want to waste my energy trying to take him out early,” said Ugas. “I was ready to go 12 rounds.”
Na 12 rondes, all three judges scored the fight the same, 119-107 in favor of Ugas, who became the mandatory for the winner of the Errol Spence Jr. vs. Shawn Porter welterweight title unification.
“I’m extremely happy to be in this position to fight for the WBC title again,” said Ugas. “I will be ready for the winner of Errol Spence Jr. vs. Shawn Porter.”
Additional action saw former world championSergey Lipinets (16-1, 12 KO) score a highlight-reel knockout againstJayar Inson(18-3, 12 KO) in the second round of their welterweight matchup.
Lipinets was originally scheduled to fight John Molina Jr., before Molina pulled out of the fight Friday morning due to a back injury. Inson, who was scheduled to fight on the non-televised undercard, stepped up to the challenge.
“When I first heard the news about Molina, I knew that I wanted to still fight on a show of this magnitude,” said Lipinets. “As far as fighting a southpaw, I’ve had so many amateur fights in my kickboxing career that I had no problem adjusting. Het was gewoon een kwestie van tijd. I also have sparred with great southpaws like Victor Ortiz throughout my career, so I was comfortable with the change in fighter.”
In an exchange early in the second round, Lipinets landed a clean left hook to Inson’s head, which sent the Filipino-fighter to the canvas. Although Inson got to his feet, referee Jay Nady waved off the bout 57 seconden in de ronde.
“I got hit and I slipped, that made it look worse,” said Inson. “When I stood up I thought I was fine and tried to raise my hands and show the referee.”
“Joe Goossen is an exceptional trainer and he just told me to work from a different direction facing a southpaw,” said Lipinets. “I just made sure to block his punches with my elbows. That was the only adjustment I had to make and it ended up working just fine.”
The opening pay-per-view bout saw undefeated former championLuis Nery (30-0, 24 KO) deliver a ninth-round knockout of former bantamweight championJuan Carlos Payano (21-3, 9 KO).
“I wasn’t really paying attention to how long the fight was going, I was just getting into a rhythm as it went on,” zei Nery. “I had to work hard to get to him because he’s a good boxer. The longer it went, the better I felt. I put my punches together well once I got going.”
In a fast-paced duel of former champions, Payano had success early boxing the aggressive Nery, moving back to avoid his attack and landing his own offense against the knockout artist. Payano out landed or was even in punches landed for each of the first six rounds of the bout.
“I’m a warrior and I wanted to keep going and fight back every time he came forward,” zei Payano. “My coach wanted me to stay behind my jab a little more.”
As the fight grew into the middle rounds, Nery began to increase the offense and was able to land power shots that slowed Payano’s ability to box from the outside. Nery hurt Payano early in round seven, eventually dominating the round, zijn tegenstander landde 22 naar 7.
“He was a very complicated fighter at the beginning, he’s a veteran, so I had to try to adapt to his style to see how I could get in,” zei Nery. “In the fifth or sixth round I started gaining control of the fight and then that left hook came to the body which was devastating.”
“During the exchanges it was Nery’s second shot that was getting in,” zei Payano. “We corrected the issue but then that body shot came in from nowhere and hit me in a rib that I had broken years ago against Raushee Warren.”
Round eight saw Nery continue to break Payano down, most notably landing a big left hand midway through the round that caused blood to pour from Payano’s nose. During an exchange in the ninth-round, Payano landed a devastating left hook to the ribs that put Payano down. He was unable to recover and referee Vic Drakulich halted the bout 1:43 in de ronde.
“I wanted to get him out early,” zei Nery. “But this showed that I do have the experience to go into the later rounds and still take out my opponent. I showed that I have good defense and can make adjustments.”
The FOX PBC Fight Night main event on FOX and FOX Deportes saw IBF Super Middleweight World ChampionCaleb “Sweethands” Plant (19-0, 11 KO) retain his title with a dominant third-round knockout over previously unbeatenMike Lee (21-1, 11 KO).
“It went exactly how I planned it would go,” genoemde plant. “Absoluut. I’ve been telling you all week it wasn’t going to go 12 rounds and I stuck to my word and I tried to do that. I hope you guys had a good time.”
Plant got off to a fast-start, dropping Lee with a left hook late in the first round. The unbeaten challenger was able to recover and survive the round, but was hard-pressed to make up for the hand speed advantage of Plant.
“I think I have a high boxing IQ and I do this at a really high level,” genoemde plant. “So it was just about making adjustments. Hij is een grote, strong guy and he just came in here to give it his all.”
Lee looked to charge in hard against Plant and use his size and power to land a big shot and change the momentum of the fight. Plant was sharp and avoided the looping right hands that Lee was attacking with.
“The speed was the difference, he’s fast and very accurate,” zei Lee. “I had some success with my right hands but wasn’t able to be consistent with it.”
In ronde drie, Plant landed a vicious right hook early in the round that put Lee down for the second time. After a left hook appeared to connect and send Lee down a second time, referee Robert Byrd ruled it had come from a push and continued the fight once Lee got to his feet.
Plant had his opponent hurt and continued to press forward, eventually landing another left hook that put Lee down, this time forcing the referee to wave off the bout 1:29 in de ronde.
“I had no issue with the stoppage, that’s the referee’s job and I respect it,” zei Lee.
Na het gevecht, Benavidez was asked about a possible unification fight against the winner of the just announced Anthony Dirrell vs. David Benavidez WBC Super Middleweight Championship fight.
“Oh yeah, we can definitely unify,” genoemde plant. “I ain’t hard to get a hold of. I ain’t hard to make a fight with. Come see me. You know my advisor.”
The opening bout on FOX and FOX Deportes sawcartoon Ajagba (11-0, 9 KO) scoor een unaniem besluit Ali Eren Demirezen(11-1, 10 KO) in a 10-round battle of undefeated heavyweights. It was the first time that two unbeaten fighters from the 2016 Olympics faced off as pros.
Ajagba used his jab and height effectively throughout the fight, landing 10 van 45 jabs per round, doubling the heavyweight average. Echter, an elbow injury and the accurate punching of Demirezen forced Ajagba to go the distance for the first time as a pro.
“This was the first fighter to take me the distance,” Said Ajagba. “He was strong and could take my punches. My trainer just told me to keep using my jab and stay in the middle of the ring.
“I hurt my elbow early on, so I couldn’t shoot my right hand like I wanted. But I won’t use that as an excuse. As a tall man I had to use the jab and if it went the distance, that was my best way to win.”
Demirezen thought the scorecards should have been closer and believed that his performance should have garnered him more than the decision loss. Demirezen was actually the more accurate puncher, landing 26% of his punches to 22% from Ajagba.
“I don’t agree with the scores, especially 99-91” said Demirezen. “It was much closer. I feel that at minimum, it was a draw. I knew I had to knock him out and that a knockout might be easier than winning by points. I thought it was a good performance but I can do better. I’d like to fight in the U.S. weer.”
Ajagba’s activity from start to finish was impressive, as he threw 877 totaal stoten, landing 191. While Demirezen was not far behind with 149 punches landed, he only out landed Ajagba in three rounds.
Na 10 rounds of action all three judges scored the fight in favor of Ajagba, door scores van 99-91 tweemaal en 97-93.
MEER! Two-Time Champion Anthony Dirrell will Defend His WBC Super Middleweight Title Against Undefeated Former Champion David Benavidez in the Co-Feature
Tickets in de uitverkoop, Maandag, Juli 22 Bij 12 p.m. PT!
LOS ANGELES (Juli 20, 2019) – Welterweight world champions collide when IBF ChampionErrol “De Waarheid” Spence Jr.clashes with WBC Champion“Show Time” Shawn Porterin a massive 147-pound title unification match headlining a Premier Boxing Champions on FOX Sports Pay-Per-View on Saturday, September 28 at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
The co-feature of the evening will pit WBC Super Middleweight ChampionAnthony “De Hond” Dirrellagainst unbeaten former championDavid “The Red Flag” Benavidezin an explosive 168-pound showdown.
Tickets for the event go on sale Monday, Juli 22 bij 12 p.m. PT and can be purchased at AXS.com.
“Errol Spence Jr. versus Shawn Porter in a welterweight unification match brings to mind some of the great 147-pound clashes of the past – Sugar Ray Robinson vs. Kid Gavilan, Leonard vs. Hearns or Whitaker vs. Chavez,” zei Tom Brown, President van TGB Promotions. “Both men are in their primes and both like to apply pressure. With that clash of styles, something has to give. In de co-functie, Anthony Dirrell doesn’t want to give up the title and David Benavidez wants it back. Played out before an electric crowd at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and headlining a PBC on FOX Sports Pay-Per-View, this show has instant classic written all over it.”
Spence vs. Porter represents a major step forward in the quest to find the best 147-pound boxer on the planet. Spence has declared that anyone who wants to make that claim will have to come through him. Porter has already faced the some of the biggest names in the division, including Keith Thurman and Danny Garcia, and will make Spence back up his boast.
The unbeaten Spence (25-0, 21 KO) is een jong, powerful welterweight who vaulted to the top of the welterweight scene with a punishing 11thround knockout victory over Kell Brook for the IBF championship in front of Brook’s hometown fans in Sheffield, England in 2017. Fighting out of Desoto, Texas, Spence has successfully defended the title three times. Most recently he scored a unanimous decision victory over three-division world champion Mikey Garcia in a PBC on FOX Pay-Per-View show before a hometown crowd at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on March 16.
“Het gaat om een zeer spannende strijd te worden,” zei Spence. “Shawn is never in a boring fight and I always entertain. It will be a ‘Fight of the Year’ type fight because our styles mesh. Shawn Porter is a guy who tries to rough you up. That’s what he’s always done. With Yordenis Ugas he tried to box and he said he didn’t like that style. He said he is going back to his original style. If he brings that style to me, it’s going to be a great fight because I’m going to bring it right back to him.”
The 31-year-old Porter (30-2-1, 17 KO) is a two-time welterweight champion whose high-pressure style has served him well in his rise in the 147-pound division. Born in Akron, Ohio and now living in Las Vegas, Porter won the IBF welterweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Devon Alexander in 2013. He lost the title, which Spence now has, to Kell Brook by a majority decision in 2014. Porter moved back into the championship ranks with a unanimous decision victory over Danny Garcia for the vacant WBC title in 2018. He successfully defended the title with a split decision victory over Yordenis Ugas in March on FOX.
“There haven’t been too many fights as a professional that I’ve been this excited about,” Said Porter. “I was really excited about the Danny Garcia fight and I’m really excited about this one. Ever since Spence got a belt, I really circled this fight on my calendar. Preparation is the key. I think I have everything it takes to beat Errol Spence. I’m very confident and my team is confident in what I have to do on September 28. We’ll be ready.”
Dirrell vs. Benavidez promises to be a hotly contested battle for the WBC Super Middleweight title. Dirrell is a two-time WBC 168-pound world champion and will bring experience, while Benavidez will bring his high-octane style.
The 34-year-old Dirrell (33-1-1, 24 KO) won the WBC title for the first time with a unanimous decision over Sakio Bika in 2014. The native of Flint, Michigan lost the title the next year to Badou Jack by majority decision. He put together six straight victories after that loss to get back into position to fight for the championship again. He won the title with a technical decision victory over Avni Yildirim in February on FS1. Dirrell is the younger brother of Andre Dirrell, who won a bronze medal as a member of the U.S. Olympic boxing team in 2004.
“I’m going to work my butt off, putting in extra hours in the gym, because this is one of the toughest opponents I’ve ever fought,” Dirrell said. “He’s young and he’s tough. But I’m more than ready for anything that he can bring. I bring an exciting fight. He knows that. The world knows that. Hij kan praten, but nothing matters but what happens in the ring. I wanted this fight to be out west because I will fight anybody anywhere. It’s only two people in the ring and we’re going to give a good entertaining fight for the fans.”
Benavidez (21-0, 18 KO) won the WBC title with a split decision victory over Ronald Gavril in 2017. Vechten uit Phoenix, Arizona, Benavidez successfully defended the title with a more convincing unanimous decision over Gavril in the rematch four months later. The 22-year-old returned to the ring to score an impressive knockout victory over veteran J’Leon Love in March on the Spence vs. Garcia PBC on FOX Sports Pay-Per-View.
“I’m looking forward to reclaiming my WBC belt in my next fight against Anthony Dirrell,” zei Benavidez. “This fight is overdue and I guarantee I will be ready for whatever he brings to the ring. The fans are really going to enjoy this one.”
Murphys Boxing is trots om hun terugkeer aan te kondigen MGM Springfield voor een speciaal openlucht matinee-evenement op Zaterdag, Augustus 17, 2019 die live wordt uitgezonden UFC Fight Pass.
In het main event, NABA Light Heavyweight Champion, Charles Foster (18-0, 9 KO) zal zijn titel voor de vierde keer verdedigen in een 10 ronde wedstrijd tegen Russische power puncher,Denis Grachev (19-7-1, 10 KO).
Bevorderen, die afkomstig is uit het nabijgelegen New Haven, Connecticut is gerangschikt #10 in de wereld doordeWBA en komt uit een indrukwekkende stopoverwinning op Chicago's ooit verslagen, Mike Jiminez afgelopen maart.
Grachev bekend als ‘Drago’s Son’, is momenteel op een 3 vecht win streak binnen 2019 en een verstoorde overwinning op Foster zou de Rus onmiddellijk weer op de wereldranglijst plaatsen.
“Ik ben verheugd om bij het hoofdevenement te zijn op een geweldige locatie als MGM Springfield.”, legt Foster uit, de zelfverzekerde linkshandige die de bijnaam draagt, 'De waarheid'.
“Ik heb echt het gevoel dat ik klaar ben om iedereen in de Top te verslaan 10. Ik wil volgend jaar kans maken op een wereldtitel. Op 17 augustus, Ik ben van plan een verklaring af te leggen aan de rest van de lichte zwaargewicht divisie door mijn titel te verdedigen en Grachev te stoppen.”
In de 10 rond co-main event een van Murphys Boxing's meest populaire vechters, Iers zwaargewicht gevoel, Niall Kennedy (13-0-1, 8 KO) zal een van zijn zwaarste tests tot nu toe ondergaan, 2014 VS Olympian, Devin Vargas (20-5, 8 KO) in een kruispuntstrijd die de winnaar in de rij zal plaatsen voor een grote kans in de roodgloeiende divisie.
'Boem Boem’ die ook dienst doet als politieagent in zijn woonplaats Gorey, Ierland heeft een aanzienlijk Massachusetts-gebied opgebouwd na vrijwel al zijn professionele gevechten in New England te hebben uitgevochten en daarbij de zwaargewicht titel van de staat te hebben gewonnen.
“Ik kijk er naar uit om te vechten bij MGM Springfield. Het is mijn eerste keer op dat gebied [van Massachusetts] en wat een evenement om op te zijn, de rekening delen met de getalenteerde Charles Foster.”, zegt het bescheiden zwaargewicht.
“We hopen het [het gevecht] zal zijn voor een wereldranglijst en mijn tegenstander, Ik geloof, is een voormalig Olympiër die zich heeft gemengd met de bovenste tafel en waarvan ik zeker ben dat hij het beste uit mij zal halen. De training gaat uitzonderlijk goed. Ik ga elke gram bloed en zweet gebruiken om mijn zoontje te maken, MJ en mijn vrouw trots. Ik ben vereerd en gezegend met Ken en Packie die mijn carrière en bij begeleiden 35, dit is het jaar waarin ik mezelf in de top wil krijgen 20 en in enorme gevechten en daarvoor moet ik optreden op 17 augustus.”
De undercard zal verschillende lokale jagers bevatten, waaronder:
Shelly Vincent (25-2, 1 KO), de trots van de Voorzienigheid, en een voormalige uitdager van de wereldtitel, zal haar in een 8 ronde vedergewicht wedstrijd tegen een te benoemen tegenstander.
Anthony Velazquez (7-0, 7 KO), een van de meest populaire vechters in Springfield, verschijnt in een 6 ronde weltergewicht wedstrijd tegen een te benoemen tegenstander.
Derrick Whitley Jr. (5-1-1), die afkomstig is uit de beroemde vechtende familie Whitley van Springfield, zal worden geconfronteerd met een tegenstander die wordt genoemd in een 6 ronde weltergewicht wedstrijd.
Ray Jay Bermudez (7-0, 5 KO) die afkomstig is uit het nabijgelegen Albany, New York, verschijnt in een 6 ronde super lichtgewicht wedstrijd.
Binnenkort worden nog twee extra gevechten aangekondigd.
“Ons eerste gevecht op MGM Springfield in mei, wat ook ons UFC Fight Pass-debuut was, was een geweldige avond en een absoluut succes.”, legt uit Ken Casey, oprichter van Murphys Boxing.
“Voor onze terugkeer naar MGM Springfield wilden we het naar een ander niveau tillen. Een top hebben 10 wereldjager zoals Charles Foster maakt een titelverdediging in zijn achtertuin, Niall Kennedy toevoegen aan een zwaargewicht showdown met hoge inzetten en er vervolgens een matineeshow voor buiten van maken, wij denken dat dat doel wordt bereikt. We kunnen niet wachten om op 17 augustus terug te zijn op MGM Springfield.”
Murphys Boxing presenteert Foster vs. Grachev op zaterdag, 17 mei op MGM Springfield in Springfield, Massachusetts (1 MGM Way, Springfield, MA. 01103). Deuren gaan open om 13.00 uur en het eerste gevecht begint om 14.00 uur. Tickets zijn geprijsd op $45, $75, $100 en $125 ga vrijdag in de uitverkoop, 19 juli om: www.murphysboxing.com en www.mgmspringfield / vermaak. Het hele evenement wordt live gestreamd op UFC Fight Pass op www.ufc.tv.
NEW YORK – July 9, 2019 –Swedish heavyweight Otto Wallin says he has too many physical advantages, while former world title challenger BJ Flores says he has too much experience to lose their upcoming 10-round clash.
WBA No. 5-ranked Wallin (20-0, 13 KO) and Flores (34-4-1, 21 KO) will meet this Friday, Juli 12, in the co-featured bout of aShoBox: The New Generationtripleheader telecast (live op Showtime 10 p.m. ET / PT) from the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Wassen.
Presented by Salita Promotions and Brian Halquist Productions, “Battle at the Boat 122” will also feature top American heavyweight prospect Jermaine Franklin (18-0, 13 KO), from Saginaw, Mich., returning for his second consecutiveShoBoxtest against the streaking Jerry Forrest (25-2, 19 KO), van Newport News, Va., in the 10-round headliner and in the opening televised bout, undefeated featherweight Giovanni Mioletti (16-0, 7 KO) of Chicago will face Ecuador’s Luis Porozo (14-0, 7 KO).
The 28-year-old Wallin, a southpaw from Sundsvall, Zweden, says he’s been expanding his horizons working with trainer Joey Gamache at Mendez Boxing in Manhattan.
“Training has been very good. I have been back in New York for six weeks now and I’ve had some great sparring with a lot of different guys and different styles,” said 28-year-old Wallin. “Sparring is the best training you can get. It’s the most like a fight, so just getting in with all these different guys is a great experience.”
Undefeated Wallin says he’s got too much of everything for former cruiserweight Flores in this fight.
“BJ Flores is a guy that’s experienced, but I know what to do,'Zei Wallin. “I have the tools to beat him. He’s good as a cruiserweight, but this is a heavyweight fight. It’s different than being a good cruiser. I will win because I’m a better boxer with better skills. I’m too big, young and strong for him. I always get nervous before a fight, but that’s part of it. Being nervous makes me sharper. I will eventually break him down.”
It’s been something of a whirlwind career for Wallin, who turned pro as the number one heavyweight on the Swedish National team after just 50 amateur gevechten. Heavily courted by promoters for his immense natural talent, Wallin now finds himself signed with Salita Promotions and in the top 5 of the WBA ratings after 20 pro gevechten.
He credits trainer Gamache, himself a popular former fighter, with much of his success.
“Joey used to live in Denmark and so did I,'Zei Wallin. “That’s where we met six years ago. I followed him back to the US when he came back and I signed with Salita at the beginning of this year. We have a great relationship. I love him as a coach and as a person He’s done a lot for me including bringing me over here and making all these connections. I trust him 100% and he trusts me too.”
Wallin says having a great team behind him means ramping up his quest for a world championship.
“I want to have three or four fights this year. I haven’t had that many fights the last couple years, so it’s important to me to stay busy. Volgend jaar, I’ll be looking for a bigger fight. I’m very excited about everything that is happening.”
The 40-year-old Flores, originally from Arizona, says preparations went surprisingly well for this fight.
“Training couldn’t have gone better,'Zei Flores. “I had eight good weeks of training and I have zero injuries. Om eerlijk te zijn, I thought camp would be tougher, but everything bounced back nicely. I’ve been sparring for seven weeks. I normally have something nagging on fight week, but I sparred 10 rounds Saturday. I sparred four rounds today. ik heb 22 rounds in since last Wednesday and I feel great.”
Bloemen, a two-time world cruiserweight title challenger, says Wallin will be facing a totally different type of opponent than the ones he’s used to.
“He’s never been tested by a guy who thought he could win. Everybody he’s fought came in as an opponent. That’s not to say he’s not good, but I’m the first fighter on his resume coming in expecting to win and I’ve been in with far better opposition.
“I feel like once I get him in the middle rounds and show him he’s in with somebody who is not going anywhere, that’s when we will find out what he’s made of. My experience and game plan are perfect for testing an untested guy. Just because he’s untested doesn’t mean he can’t fight, but we’re going to find out Friday night.”
Contrary to most fighters’ preference, Flores says he’s happy Wallin is a left-handed fighter.
“I’ve been sparring nothing but tall southpaws. In feite, I haven’t sparred an orthodox fighter in nine weeks. I prefer to fight southpaws. It’s better for my punch selection to fight a southpaw. I’ve never had a problem with it and I’ve never lost to one.”
Now a 16-year pro, Flores says he won’t be worried if the younger fighter comes out with some early aggression.
“If he wants to start fast, that’s OK. I don’t care about the first two or three rounds. The real fight starts after the fourth round. I plan on winning the early rounds, but even if I don’t, it doesn’t matter until we get in the middle rounds. I’m going to attack and be aggressive and go up and down on him. Get him to the middle rounds and see where he’s at. I know where I’m at. I’ve been in with the best heavyweights and cruiserweights in the world over the last 15 jaar. I feel great and I’m ready.”
Barry Tompkins zal de actie van de eerste rang te bellen met boksen historicus Steve Farhood en voormalig wereldkampioen Raul Marquez die als deskundige analisten. De uitvoerend producent is Gordon Hall met Richard Gaughan produceren en Rick Phillips regisseren.
Zaterdag, Augustus 3 van Barclays Center in Brooklyn & Georganiseerd door Premier Boxing Champions
Polish Star Adam Kownacki Headlines Against Former Title Challenger Chris Arreola in FOX PBC Fight Night Main Event Live on FOX & FOX Sports – 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT
BROOKLYN (Juli 9, 2019) – An exciting lineup of action-packed undercard attractions will add to the Summer heat on Saturday, Augustus 3 live from Barclays Center, het huis van BROOKLYN BOKSEN ™, in een gebeurtenis die door Premier Boxing Champions.
The event is headlined by Polish star and heavyweight contender Adam Kownacki and former title challenger Chris “De nachtmerrie” Arreola meeting in the main event of FOX PBC Fight Night live on FOX and FOX Deportes. De uitzending begint om 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT and also features two-time world champion Andre Berto and 147-pound contender Miguel Cruz, who meet in a welterweight attraction, and interim WBA Light Heavyweight Champion Marcus Browne and former world champion Jean Pascal, who duel in a 175-pound bout.
Undercard bouts are highlighted by 2008 Puerto Ricaanse Olympian Carlos Negron (20-2, 16 KO) in a 10-round heavyweight fight against Atlanta’sBrian Howard(14-3, 11 KO), voormalige titeluitdager Curtis Stevens (30-6, 22 KO) taking on veteran contenderWale Omotoso (27-4, 21 KO) in a 10-round super welterweight clash and featherweight world champion and unbeaten local fan-favoriteHeather “De Hitte” Hardy (22-0, 4 KO) in haar 10thappearance in the ring at Barclays Center.
Tickets voor het evenement, die wordt bevorderd door TGB Promotions, can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com. Tickets kunnen ook worden gekocht bij de American Express Box Office in Barclays Center.
Additional action features a pair of uneaten fighters as Brooklyn’sJulian Sosa (13-0-1, 5 KO) steps in for an eight-round welterweight showdown versus Texas-nativeBrian Jones (14-10, 8 KO), plus Maryland-nativeCobia breedy (13-0, 4 KO) takes on Michigan’sRyan Lee Allen(9-3-1, 4 KO) in a 10-round featherweight attraction.
Rounding out the lineup is Mexico’sIsaac Cruz Gonzalez in a 10-round featherweight fight, ongeslagen vooruitzicht Keeshaw Williams in een zes-round weltergewicht strijd, unbeaten New YorkerArnold Gonzalezin a four-round featherweight duel and undefeated New Jersey-nativeKestna Davisin a four-round super welterweight bout against California’sJaime Meza.
# # #
Kijkers kunnen de PBC-shows live streamen op de FOX Sports- en FOX NOW-apps of op FOXSports.com. Bovendien, alle programma's zijn beschikbaar op FOX Sports op het SiriusXM-kanaal 83 op satellietradio's en op de SiriusXM-app.
Pacquiao vs. Thurman Headlines Premier Boxing Champions FOX Sports Pay-Per-View Event from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas
“You’re going to see a world class performance on July 20 that has me standing alone on top of the division.” – Thurman
ST. PETERSBURG, FL. (Juli 8, 2019) – Keith “Een Keer” Thurman’svictories have always been the center of conversation. Even with nine championship fights and eight title defenses already under his belt, his Saturday, Juli 20 fight against Manny Pacquaio could prove to be the most significant, as he steps onto boxing’s biggest stage looking to capture a momentous victory.
Pacquiao vs. Thurman will pit the undefeated WBA Welterweight World Champion Thurman against boxing’s only eight-division world champion and Philippine Senator Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao in the main event of a Premier Boxing Champions on FOX Sports Pay-Per-View event from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The FOX pay-per-view begins at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT and tickets for the event, which is promoted by MP Promotions, Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased online through AXS.com, opladen via de telefoon op 866-740-7711 or in person at any MGM Resorts International box office.
Coming off a majority decision over Josesito Lopez that ended a 22-month ring absence in January, Thurman (29-0, 22 KO), 30, had won a close unanimous decision over former title holder “Show Time” Shawn Porter in June 2016 and a split-decision over two-division title winner Danny “Gierzwaluw” Garcia in March 2017, adding Garcia’s WBC crown to his WBA version, before he vacated the WBC title due to injury.
Thurman broke down all of his title performances in anticipation of the fight that could cement his place amongst boxing’s best of this era.
KO 10 Diego Chaves, Juli 27, 2013, AT&T Center, San Antonio:The 24-year-old Thurman came off a near-shutout unanimous decision over former champion Jan Zaveck in March 2013 and faced an unbeaten Argentine interim WBA champion who was after his fifth consecutive stoppage win and had knocked out 18 van 22 tegenstanders.
Thurman traded early power shots, controlled tempo with his athleticism and boxing ability and floored Chaves with a ninth round left hook to the liver before dropping him for the final time with a right hand in the 10th ronde. Chaves failed to beat the count as Thurman became a 147-pound titleholder.
“The Diego Chaves fight was the biggest fight of my career, elevating me to the WBA interim champion,” Said Thurman. “I broke him down round by round and landed a beautiful body shot in the ninth round and after that it was a matter of time. That was a fight that earned me worldwide respect and was the start of everything for me.”
WHO 9 Jesus Soto Karass, December 14, 2013, Alamodome, San Antonio:Soto Karass’ previous victory was a 12th-round stoppage of two-time belt holder Andre Berto in a fight that saw him rise from an 11th-round knockdown. Hurt by a hard right in the first round, Thurman recovered, flooring Soto Karass with a left uppercut in the fifth and again from a powerful combination in the ninth as the referee ended matters.
“Soto Karass was coming off a victory over Andre Berto which made it an important measuring stick fight for me,” Said Thurman, “He did open the fight by tagging me in the first round, but I dropped him in the fifth and again in the ninth and was able to finish him off for my first title defense.”
RTD 3 Julio Diaz, April 26, 2014, StubHub Center, Carson, Calif:In a one-sided beat-down, former champion Diaz took a knee from a left to the temple the second round and retired prior to the fourth from a body shot that caused rib damage. Diaz never fought again.
“That was a tremendous fight for me as the headliner in my first main event,” Said Thurman. “Diaz was coming off of good showings against Shawn Porter, fighting Porter to a draw once, and Amir Khan, whom he dropped in their fight. I also had the opportunity to make a statement. I did that by stopping him in only three rounds.”
UD 12 Leonard Bundu, December 13, 2014, the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas:A previously unbeaten 40-year-old switch-hitting veteran, Bundu (31-1-2, 11 KO) was dropped by a first-round right hand in a shutout victory (120-107 drie keer) for Thurman who ended an eight-month ring absence and was recovering from an injured left shoulder.
“Bundu was a switch-hitting awkward fighter. I switched [to southpaw] on him in the first round and dropped him with a right hand,” Said Thurman. “I out boxed him and really gave the world a taste of how good of a boxer I am. It was an easy blowout.”
UD 12 Robert Guerrero, Maart 7, 2015, the MGM Grand Grand Garden Arena:Thurman entered this bout after having been elevated to the full champion before facing Guerrero (32-3-1, 18 KO), a two-division title winner. He overcame a grotesque hematoma above his left eye from an accidental clash of heads, gedaald “The Ghost” in the ninth-round, and lost a combined four rounds in PBC’s first ever main event.
“Guerrero had fought Floyd Mayweather and I was happy to have a common opponent with Floyd, so that I could prove to the world that I deserved a shot at Mayweather,” Said Thurman. “I had to overcome that adversity of having that hematoma by knocking him down in the ninth round. That fight really raised my stock to another level.”
RTD 7 Luis Collazo, Juli 11, 2015, USF Sundome, Tampa:Thurman overcame a crippling left hand to the liver in the fifth round to become only the man to stop Collazo, a former champion who had gone the distance in losses to Ricky Hatton, Shane Mosley, Andre Berto and Amir Khan. In a homecoming fight, Thurman opened a deep gash over Collazo’s right eye with his own left hook, eventually resulting in the southpaw’s retiring on his stool after the seventh round.
“I was able to survive that body shot to perform in the next round. The fight was taking its toll on him though. I was becoming more comfortable and accurate as I physically broke him down,” Said Thurman. “The arena was electric, and the love was amazing. It was a great homecoming to defend my world title near where I grew up in Clearwater, Florida.”
UD 12 Shawn Porter, Juni 25, 2016, Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York:Thurman overcame a bullish former champion in Porter (26-2-1, 16 KO) before an electric crowd, winning a give-and-take, blood-and-guts brawl by scores of 115-113, Op alle drie de rechters’ kaarten. Highlights were Thurman’s clean right hand-left hook combination that buckled Porter’s knees late in the third round, a 10th-round left hook that did the same, and an even more vicious head-swiveling hook in Round 11 of a Fight of The Year standout from 2016.
“Our fight was tough, back and forth, but by no means was Shawn Porter going to take my title,” Said Thurman. “I pushed myself over the final rounds to make sure I’d be victorious in what was one of the ‘Fight of The Year’ contenders that year. That fight proved to everyone that I can win any type of fight, against any type of fighter.”
SD 12 Danny Garcia, Maart 4, 2017, Barclays Center: Thurman won a clash of 28-year-olds over the then unbeaten Garcia (33-0, 19 KO), along with the WBC’s crown in just the 10th title unification in division history and only the third between a pair of unbeaten fighters. The crowd of 16,533 represented the highest attended boxing match at Barclays Center to date. Thurman’s movement disrupted the timing of Garcia, a Philadelphia-based fighter who was a unified champion at 140-pounds.
“This was two undefeated welterweights going toe-to-toe in the prime of their careers. Danny Garcia’s a sharp puncher who won the WBC’s vacant title that Floyd Mayweather gave up for retirement,” Said Thurman. “But after beating Shawn Porter, I knew Danny would be an easy fight. This was my first chance to beat an undefeated world champion, and I came out swinging on him in round one to make a statement that his world title was about to be mine.”
MD 12 Josesito Lopez, Januari 26, 2019, Barclays Center:Thurman ended an injury-hampered 22-month ring absence against Lopez (36-8, 19 KO), scoring a second-round knockdown with a left hook, being hurt by a right hand in the seventh, and using his mobility and athleticism down the stretch for the victory.
“I was really nervous about making weight after walking around at 182 for the past two years,” Said Thurman. “But even though I got hit and hurt in the seventh round, I knew my boxing ability would get me through. It was a relief to make it through that fight feeling strong and healthy and I’ve taken those feelings right into this training camp.”
Manny Pacquiao (61-7-2, 39 KO), Juli 20, 2019, the MGM Grand Garden Arena:The 40-year-old Pacquiao has earned back-to-back victories over former champions by seventh-round TKO over Lucas Matthysse (Juli 2018) and unanimous decision Adrien Broner (Januari).
“Does Manny belong in the ring with a fighter in his prime? Is Keith Thurman still Keith ‘One Time’ Thurman after some vulnerability against Josesito Lopez?” Said Thurman, rhetorically speaking. “Natuurlijk, I’d like to get the knockout or TKO, but either way, you’re going to see a world class performance that has me standing alone on top of a division that has so many great fighters. I’m trying to be that great, devastating champion once again, and come July 20, I will prove that I am.”
# # # Pacquiao vs. Thurman Headlines Premier Boxing Champions FOX Sports Pay-Per-View Event from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas
“You’re going to see a world class performance on July 20 that has me standing alone on top of the division.” – Thurman
ST. PETERSBURG, FL. (Juli 8, 2019) – Keith “Een Keer” Thurman’svictories have always been the center of conversation. Even with nine championship fights and eight title defenses already under his belt, his Saturday, Juli 20 fight against Manny Pacquaio could prove to be the most significant, as he steps onto boxing’s biggest stage looking to capture a momentous victory.
Pacquiao vs. Thurman will pit the undefeated WBA Welterweight World Champion Thurman against boxing’s only eight-division world champion and Philippine Senator Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao in the main event of a Premier Boxing Champions on FOX Sports Pay-Per-View event from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The FOX pay-per-view begins at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT and tickets for the event, which is promoted by MP Promotions, Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased online through AXS.com, opladen via de telefoon op 866-740-7711 or in person at any MGM Resorts International box office.
Coming off a majority decision over Josesito Lopez that ended a 22-month ring absence in January, Thurman (29-0, 22 KO), 30, had won a close unanimous decision over former title holder “Show Time” Shawn Porter in June 2016 and a split-decision over two-division title winner Danny “Gierzwaluw” Garcia in March 2017, adding Garcia’s WBC crown to his WBA version, before he vacated the WBC title due to injury.
Thurman broke down all of his title performances in anticipation of the fight that could cement his place amongst boxing’s best of this era.
KO 10 Diego Chaves, Juli 27, 2013, AT&T Center, San Antonio:The 24-year-old Thurman came off a near-shutout unanimous decision over former champion Jan Zaveck in March 2013 and faced an unbeaten Argentine interim WBA champion who was after his fifth consecutive stoppage win and had knocked out 18 van 22 tegenstanders.
Thurman traded early power shots, controlled tempo with his athleticism and boxing ability and floored Chaves with a ninth round left hook to the liver before dropping him for the final time with a right hand in the 10th ronde. Chaves failed to beat the count as Thurman became a 147-pound titleholder.
“The Diego Chaves fight was the biggest fight of my career, elevating me to the WBA interim champion,” Said Thurman. “I broke him down round by round and landed a beautiful body shot in the ninth round and after that it was a matter of time. That was a fight that earned me worldwide respect and was the start of everything for me.”
WHO 9 Jesus Soto Karass, December 14, 2013, Alamodome, San Antonio:Soto Karass’ previous victory was a 12th-round stoppage of two-time belt holder Andre Berto in a fight that saw him rise from an 11th-round knockdown. Hurt by a hard right in the first round, Thurman recovered, flooring Soto Karass with a left uppercut in the fifth and again from a powerful combination in the ninth as the referee ended matters.
“Soto Karass was coming off a victory over Andre Berto which made it an important measuring stick fight for me,” Said Thurman, “He did open the fight by tagging me in the first round, but I dropped him in the fifth and again in the ninth and was able to finish him off for my first title defense.”
RTD 3 Julio Diaz, April 26, 2014, StubHub Center, Carson, Calif:In a one-sided beat-down, former champion Diaz took a knee from a left to the temple the second round and retired prior to the fourth from a body shot that caused rib damage. Diaz never fought again.
“That was a tremendous fight for me as the headliner in my first main event,” Said Thurman. “Diaz was coming off of good showings against Shawn Porter, fighting Porter to a draw once, and Amir Khan, whom he dropped in their fight. I also had the opportunity to make a statement. I did that by stopping him in only three rounds.”
UD 12 Leonard Bundu, December 13, 2014, the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas:A previously unbeaten 40-year-old switch-hitting veteran, Bundu (31-1-2, 11 KO) was dropped by a first-round right hand in a shutout victory (120-107 drie keer) for Thurman who ended an eight-month ring absence and was recovering from an injured left shoulder.
“Bundu was a switch-hitting awkward fighter. I switched [to southpaw] on him in the first round and dropped him with a right hand,” Said Thurman. “I out boxed him and really gave the world a taste of how good of a boxer I am. It was an easy blowout.”
UD 12 Robert Guerrero, Maart 7, 2015, the MGM Grand Grand Garden Arena:Thurman entered this bout after having been elevated to the full champion before facing Guerrero (32-3-1, 18 KO), a two-division title winner. He overcame a grotesque hematoma above his left eye from an accidental clash of heads, gedaald “The Ghost” in the ninth-round, and lost a combined four rounds in PBC’s first ever main event.
“Guerrero had fought Floyd Mayweather and I was happy to have a common opponent with Floyd, so that I could prove to the world that I deserved a shot at Mayweather,” Said Thurman. “I had to overcome that adversity of having that hematoma by knocking him down in the ninth round. That fight really raised my stock to another level.”
RTD 7 Luis Collazo, Juli 11, 2015, USF Sundome, Tampa:Thurman overcame a crippling left hand to the liver in the fifth round to become only the man to stop Collazo, a former champion who had gone the distance in losses to Ricky Hatton, Shane Mosley, Andre Berto and Amir Khan. In a homecoming fight, Thurman opened a deep gash over Collazo’s right eye with his own left hook, eventually resulting in the southpaw’s retiring on his stool after the seventh round.
“I was able to survive that body shot to perform in the next round. The fight was taking its toll on him though. I was becoming more comfortable and accurate as I physically broke him down,” Said Thurman. “The arena was electric, and the love was amazing. It was a great homecoming to defend my world title near where I grew up in Clearwater, Florida.”
UD 12 Shawn Porter, Juni 25, 2016, Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York:Thurman overcame a bullish former champion in Porter (26-2-1, 16 KO) before an electric crowd, winning a give-and-take, blood-and-guts brawl by scores of 115-113, Op alle drie de rechters’ kaarten. Highlights were Thurman’s clean right hand-left hook combination that buckled Porter’s knees late in the third round, a 10th-round left hook that did the same, and an even more vicious head-swiveling hook in Round 11 of a Fight of The Year standout from 2016.
“Our fight was tough, back and forth, but by no means was Shawn Porter going to take my title,” Said Thurman. “I pushed myself over the final rounds to make sure I’d be victorious in what was one of the ‘Fight of The Year’ contenders that year. That fight proved to everyone that I can win any type of fight, against any type of fighter.”
SD 12 Danny Garcia, Maart 4, 2017, Barclays Center: Thurman won a clash of 28-year-olds over the then unbeaten Garcia (33-0, 19 KO), along with the WBC’s crown in just the 10th title unification in division history and only the third between a pair of unbeaten fighters. The crowd of 16,533 represented the highest attended boxing match at Barclays Center to date. Thurman’s movement disrupted the timing of Garcia, a Philadelphia-based fighter who was a unified champion at 140-pounds.
“This was two undefeated welterweights going toe-to-toe in the prime of their careers. Danny Garcia’s a sharp puncher who won the WBC’s vacant title that Floyd Mayweather gave up for retirement,” Said Thurman. “But after beating Shawn Porter, I knew Danny would be an easy fight. This was my first chance to beat an undefeated world champion, and I came out swinging on him in round one to make a statement that his world title was about to be mine.”
MD 12 Josesito Lopez, Januari 26, 2019, Barclays Center:Thurman ended an injury-hampered 22-month ring absence against Lopez (36-8, 19 KO), scoring a second-round knockdown with a left hook, being hurt by a right hand in the seventh, and using his mobility and athleticism down the stretch for the victory.
“I was really nervous about making weight after walking around at 182 for the past two years,” Said Thurman. “But even though I got hit and hurt in the seventh round, I knew my boxing ability would get me through. It was a relief to make it through that fight feeling strong and healthy and I’ve taken those feelings right into this training camp.”
Manny Pacquiao (61-7-2, 39 KO), Juli 20, 2019, the MGM Grand Garden Arena:The 40-year-old Pacquiao has earned back-to-back victories over former champions by seventh-round TKO over Lucas Matthysse (Juli 2018) and unanimous decision Adrien Broner (Januari).
“Does Manny belong in the ring with a fighter in his prime? Is Keith Thurman still Keith ‘One Time’ Thurman after some vulnerability against Josesito Lopez?” Said Thurman, rhetorically speaking. “Natuurlijk, I’d like to get the knockout or TKO, but either way, you’re going to see a world class performance that has me standing alone on top of a division that has so many great fighters. I’m trying to be that great, devastating champion once again, and come July 20, I will prove that I am.”
# # # Pacquiao vs. Thurman Headlines Premier Boxing Champions FOX Sports Pay-Per-View Event from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas
“You’re going to see a world class performance on July 20 that has me standing alone on top of the division.” – Thurman
ST. PETERSBURG, FL. (Juli 8, 2019) – Keith “Een Keer” Thurman’svictories have always been the center of conversation. Even with nine championship fights and eight title defenses already under his belt, his Saturday, Juli 20 fight against Manny Pacquaio could prove to be the most significant, as he steps onto boxing’s biggest stage looking to capture a momentous victory.
Pacquiao vs. Thurman will pit the undefeated WBA Welterweight World Champion Thurman against boxing’s only eight-division world champion and Philippine Senator Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao in the main event of a Premier Boxing Champions on FOX Sports Pay-Per-View event from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The FOX pay-per-view begins at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT and tickets for the event, which is promoted by MP Promotions, Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased online through AXS.com, opladen via de telefoon op 866-740-7711 or in person at any MGM Resorts International box office.
Coming off a majority decision over Josesito Lopez that ended a 22-month ring absence in January, Thurman (29-0, 22 KO), 30, had won a close unanimous decision over former title holder “Show Time” Shawn Porter in June 2016 and a split-decision over two-division title winner Danny “Gierzwaluw” Garcia in March 2017, adding Garcia’s WBC crown to his WBA version, before he vacated the WBC title due to injury.
Thurman broke down all of his title performances in anticipation of the fight that could cement his place amongst boxing’s best of this era.
KO 10 Diego Chaves, Juli 27, 2013, AT&T Center, San Antonio:The 24-year-old Thurman came off a near-shutout unanimous decision over former champion Jan Zaveck in March 2013 and faced an unbeaten Argentine interim WBA champion who was after his fifth consecutive stoppage win and had knocked out 18 van 22 tegenstanders.
Thurman traded early power shots, controlled tempo with his athleticism and boxing ability and floored Chaves with a ninth round left hook to the liver before dropping him for the final time with a right hand in the 10th ronde. Chaves failed to beat the count as Thurman became a 147-pound titleholder.
“The Diego Chaves fight was the biggest fight of my career, elevating me to the WBA interim champion,” Said Thurman. “I broke him down round by round and landed a beautiful body shot in the ninth round and after that it was a matter of time. That was a fight that earned me worldwide respect and was the start of everything for me.”
WHO 9 Jesus Soto Karass, December 14, 2013, Alamodome, San Antonio:Soto Karass’ previous victory was a 12th-round stoppage of two-time belt holder Andre Berto in a fight that saw him rise from an 11th-round knockdown. Hurt by a hard right in the first round, Thurman recovered, flooring Soto Karass with a left uppercut in the fifth and again from a powerful combination in the ninth as the referee ended matters.
“Soto Karass was coming off a victory over Andre Berto which made it an important measuring stick fight for me,” Said Thurman, “He did open the fight by tagging me in the first round, but I dropped him in the fifth and again in the ninth and was able to finish him off for my first title defense.”
RTD 3 Julio Diaz, April 26, 2014, StubHub Center, Carson, Calif:In a one-sided beat-down, former champion Diaz took a knee from a left to the temple the second round and retired prior to the fourth from a body shot that caused rib damage. Diaz never fought again.
“That was a tremendous fight for me as the headliner in my first main event,” Said Thurman. “Diaz was coming off of good showings against Shawn Porter, fighting Porter to a draw once, and Amir Khan, whom he dropped in their fight. I also had the opportunity to make a statement. I did that by stopping him in only three rounds.”
UD 12 Leonard Bundu, December 13, 2014, the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas:A previously unbeaten 40-year-old switch-hitting veteran, Bundu (31-1-2, 11 KO) was dropped by a first-round right hand in a shutout victory (120-107 drie keer) for Thurman who ended an eight-month ring absence and was recovering from an injured left shoulder.
“Bundu was a switch-hitting awkward fighter. I switched [to southpaw] on him in the first round and dropped him with a right hand,” Said Thurman. “I out boxed him and really gave the world a taste of how good of a boxer I am. It was an easy blowout.”
UD 12 Robert Guerrero, Maart 7, 2015, the MGM Grand Grand Garden Arena:Thurman entered this bout after having been elevated to the full champion before facing Guerrero (32-3-1, 18 KO), a two-division title winner. He overcame a grotesque hematoma above his left eye from an accidental clash of heads, gedaald “The Ghost” in the ninth-round, and lost a combined four rounds in PBC’s first ever main event.
“Guerrero had fought Floyd Mayweather and I was happy to have a common opponent with Floyd, so that I could prove to the world that I deserved a shot at Mayweather,” Said Thurman. “I had to overcome that adversity of having that hematoma by knocking him down in the ninth round. That fight really raised my stock to another level.”
RTD 7 Luis Collazo, Juli 11, 2015, USF Sundome, Tampa:Thurman overcame a crippling left hand to the liver in the fifth round to become only the man to stop Collazo, a former champion who had gone the distance in losses to Ricky Hatton, Shane Mosley, Andre Berto and Amir Khan. In a homecoming fight, Thurman opened a deep gash over Collazo’s right eye with his own left hook, eventually resulting in the southpaw’s retiring on his stool after the seventh round.
“I was able to survive that body shot to perform in the next round. The fight was taking its toll on him though. I was becoming more comfortable and accurate as I physically broke him down,” Said Thurman. “The arena was electric, and the love was amazing. It was a great homecoming to defend my world title near where I grew up in Clearwater, Florida.”
UD 12 Shawn Porter, Juni 25, 2016, Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York:Thurman overcame a bullish former champion in Porter (26-2-1, 16 KO) before an electric crowd, winning a give-and-take, blood-and-guts brawl by scores of 115-113, Op alle drie de rechters’ kaarten. Highlights were Thurman’s clean right hand-left hook combination that buckled Porter’s knees late in the third round, a 10th-round left hook that did the same, and an even more vicious head-swiveling hook in Round 11 of a Fight of The Year standout from 2016.
“Our fight was tough, back and forth, but by no means was Shawn Porter going to take my title,” Said Thurman. “I pushed myself over the final rounds to make sure I’d be victorious in what was one of the ‘Fight of The Year’ contenders that year. That fight proved to everyone that I can win any type of fight, against any type of fighter.”
SD 12 Danny Garcia, Maart 4, 2017, Barclays Center: Thurman won a clash of 28-year-olds over the then unbeaten Garcia (33-0, 19 KO), along with the WBC’s crown in just the 10th title unification in division history and only the third between a pair of unbeaten fighters. The crowd of 16,533 represented the highest attended boxing match at Barclays Center to date. Thurman’s movement disrupted the timing of Garcia, a Philadelphia-based fighter who was a unified champion at 140-pounds.
“This was two undefeated welterweights going toe-to-toe in the prime of their careers. Danny Garcia’s a sharp puncher who won the WBC’s vacant title that Floyd Mayweather gave up for retirement,” Said Thurman. “But after beating Shawn Porter, I knew Danny would be an easy fight. This was my first chance to beat an undefeated world champion, and I came out swinging on him in round one to make a statement that his world title was about to be mine.”
MD 12 Josesito Lopez, Januari 26, 2019, Barclays Center:Thurman ended an injury-hampered 22-month ring absence against Lopez (36-8, 19 KO), scoring a second-round knockdown with a left hook, being hurt by a right hand in the seventh, and using his mobility and athleticism down the stretch for the victory.
“I was really nervous about making weight after walking around at 182 for the past two years,” Said Thurman. “But even though I got hit and hurt in the seventh round, I knew my boxing ability would get me through. It was a relief to make it through that fight feeling strong and healthy and I’ve taken those feelings right into this training camp.”
Manny Pacquiao (61-7-2, 39 KO), Juli 20, 2019, the MGM Grand Garden Arena:The 40-year-old Pacquiao has earned back-to-back victories over former champions by seventh-round TKO over Lucas Matthysse (Juli 2018) and unanimous decision Adrien Broner (Januari).
“Does Manny belong in the ring with a fighter in his prime? Is Keith Thurman still Keith ‘One Time’ Thurman after some vulnerability against Josesito Lopez?” Said Thurman, rhetorically speaking. “Natuurlijk, I’d like to get the knockout or TKO, but either way, you’re going to see a world class performance that has me standing alone on top of a division that has so many great fighters. I’m trying to be that great, devastating champion once again, and come July 20, I will prove that I am.”
# # # Pacquiao vs. Thurman Headlines Premier Boxing Champions FOX Sports Pay-Per-View Event from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas
“You’re going to see a world class performance on July 20 that has me standing alone on top of the division.” – Thurman
ST. PETERSBURG, FL. (Juli 8, 2019) – Keith “Een Keer” Thurman’svictories have always been the center of conversation. Even with nine championship fights and eight title defenses already under his belt, his Saturday, Juli 20 fight against Manny Pacquaio could prove to be the most significant, as he steps onto boxing’s biggest stage looking to capture a momentous victory.
Pacquiao vs. Thurman will pit the undefeated WBA Welterweight World Champion Thurman against boxing’s only eight-division world champion and Philippine Senator Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao in the main event of a Premier Boxing Champions on FOX Sports Pay-Per-View event from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The FOX pay-per-view begins at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT and tickets for the event, which is promoted by MP Promotions, Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased online through AXS.com, opladen via de telefoon op 866-740-7711 or in person at any MGM Resorts International box office.
Coming off a majority decision over Josesito Lopez that ended a 22-month ring absence in January, Thurman (29-0, 22 KO), 30, had won a close unanimous decision over former title holder “Show Time” Shawn Porter in June 2016 and a split-decision over two-division title winner Danny “Gierzwaluw” Garcia in March 2017, adding Garcia’s WBC crown to his WBA version, before he vacated the WBC title due to injury.
Thurman broke down all of his title performances in anticipation of the fight that could cement his place amongst boxing’s best of this era.
KO 10 Diego Chaves, Juli 27, 2013, AT&T Center, San Antonio:The 24-year-old Thurman came off a near-shutout unanimous decision over former champion Jan Zaveck in March 2013 and faced an unbeaten Argentine interim WBA champion who was after his fifth consecutive stoppage win and had knocked out 18 van 22 tegenstanders.
Thurman traded early power shots, controlled tempo with his athleticism and boxing ability and floored Chaves with a ninth round left hook to the liver before dropping him for the final time with a right hand in the 10th ronde. Chaves failed to beat the count as Thurman became a 147-pound titleholder.
“The Diego Chaves fight was the biggest fight of my career, elevating me to the WBA interim champion,” Said Thurman. “I broke him down round by round and landed a beautiful body shot in the ninth round and after that it was a matter of time. That was a fight that earned me worldwide respect and was the start of everything for me.”
WHO 9 Jesus Soto Karass, December 14, 2013, Alamodome, San Antonio:Soto Karass’ previous victory was a 12th-round stoppage of two-time belt holder Andre Berto in a fight that saw him rise from an 11th-round knockdown. Hurt by a hard right in the first round, Thurman recovered, flooring Soto Karass with a left uppercut in the fifth and again from a powerful combination in the ninth as the referee ended matters.
“Soto Karass was coming off a victory over Andre Berto which made it an important measuring stick fight for me,” Said Thurman, “He did open the fight by tagging me in the first round, but I dropped him in the fifth and again in the ninth and was able to finish him off for my first title defense.”
RTD 3 Julio Diaz, April 26, 2014, StubHub Center, Carson, Calif:In a one-sided beat-down, former champion Diaz took a knee from a left to the temple the second round and retired prior to the fourth from a body shot that caused rib damage. Diaz never fought again.
“That was a tremendous fight for me as the headliner in my first main event,” Said Thurman. “Diaz was coming off of good showings against Shawn Porter, fighting Porter to a draw once, and Amir Khan, whom he dropped in their fight. I also had the opportunity to make a statement. I did that by stopping him in only three rounds.”
UD 12 Leonard Bundu, December 13, 2014, the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas:A previously unbeaten 40-year-old switch-hitting veteran, Bundu (31-1-2, 11 KO) was dropped by a first-round right hand in a shutout victory (120-107 drie keer) for Thurman who ended an eight-month ring absence and was recovering from an injured left shoulder.
“Bundu was a switch-hitting awkward fighter. I switched [to southpaw] on him in the first round and dropped him with a right hand,” Said Thurman. “I out boxed him and really gave the world a taste of how good of a boxer I am. It was an easy blowout.”
UD 12 Robert Guerrero, Maart 7, 2015, the MGM Grand Grand Garden Arena:Thurman entered this bout after having been elevated to the full champion before facing Guerrero (32-3-1, 18 KO), a two-division title winner. He overcame a grotesque hematoma above his left eye from an accidental clash of heads, gedaald “The Ghost” in the ninth-round, and lost a combined four rounds in PBC’s first ever main event.
“Guerrero had fought Floyd Mayweather and I was happy to have a common opponent with Floyd, so that I could prove to the world that I deserved a shot at Mayweather,” Said Thurman. “I had to overcome that adversity of having that hematoma by knocking him down in the ninth round. That fight really raised my stock to another level.”
RTD 7 Luis Collazo, Juli 11, 2015, USF Sundome, Tampa:Thurman overcame a crippling left hand to the liver in the fifth round to become only the man to stop Collazo, a former champion who had gone the distance in losses to Ricky Hatton, Shane Mosley, Andre Berto and Amir Khan. In a homecoming fight, Thurman opened a deep gash over Collazo’s right eye with his own left hook, eventually resulting in the southpaw’s retiring on his stool after the seventh round.
“I was able to survive that body shot to perform in the next round. The fight was taking its toll on him though. I was becoming more comfortable and accurate as I physically broke him down,” Said Thurman. “The arena was electric, and the love was amazing. It was a great homecoming to defend my world title near where I grew up in Clearwater, Florida.”
UD 12 Shawn Porter, Juni 25, 2016, Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York:Thurman overcame a bullish former champion in Porter (26-2-1, 16 KO) before an electric crowd, winning a give-and-take, blood-and-guts brawl by scores of 115-113, Op alle drie de rechters’ kaarten. Highlights were Thurman’s clean right hand-left hook combination that buckled Porter’s knees late in the third round, a 10th-round left hook that did the same, and an even more vicious head-swiveling hook in Round 11 of a Fight of The Year standout from 2016.
“Our fight was tough, back and forth, but by no means was Shawn Porter going to take my title,” Said Thurman. “I pushed myself over the final rounds to make sure I’d be victorious in what was one of the ‘Fight of The Year’ contenders that year. That fight proved to everyone that I can win any type of fight, against any type of fighter.”
SD 12 Danny Garcia, Maart 4, 2017, Barclays Center: Thurman won a clash of 28-year-olds over the then unbeaten Garcia (33-0, 19 KO), along with the WBC’s crown in just the 10th title unification in division history and only the third between a pair of unbeaten fighters. The crowd of 16,533 represented the highest attended boxing match at Barclays Center to date. Thurman’s movement disrupted the timing of Garcia, a Philadelphia-based fighter who was a unified champion at 140-pounds.
“This was two undefeated welterweights going toe-to-toe in the prime of their careers. Danny Garcia’s a sharp puncher who won the WBC’s vacant title that Floyd Mayweather gave up for retirement,” Said Thurman. “But after beating Shawn Porter, I knew Danny would be an easy fight. This was my first chance to beat an undefeated world champion, and I came out swinging on him in round one to make a statement that his world title was about to be mine.”
MD 12 Josesito Lopez, Januari 26, 2019, Barclays Center:Thurman ended an injury-hampered 22-month ring absence against Lopez (36-8, 19 KO), scoring a second-round knockdown with a left hook, being hurt by a right hand in the seventh, and using his mobility and athleticism down the stretch for the victory.
“I was really nervous about making weight after walking around at 182 for the past two years,” Said Thurman. “But even though I got hit and hurt in the seventh round, I knew my boxing ability would get me through. It was a relief to make it through that fight feeling strong and healthy and I’ve taken those feelings right into this training camp.”
Manny Pacquiao (61-7-2, 39 KO), Juli 20, 2019, the MGM Grand Garden Arena:The 40-year-old Pacquiao has earned back-to-back victories over former champions by seventh-round TKO over Lucas Matthysse (Juli 2018) and unanimous decision Adrien Broner (Januari).
“Does Manny belong in the ring with a fighter in his prime? Is Keith Thurman still Keith ‘One Time’ Thurman after some vulnerability against Josesito Lopez?” Said Thurman, rhetorically speaking. “Natuurlijk, I’d like to get the knockout or TKO, but either way, you’re going to see a world class performance that has me standing alone on top of a division that has so many great fighters. I’m trying to be that great, devastating champion once again, and come July 20, I will prove that I am.”
HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (Juli 8, 2019) – Miami via Cuba prospectLivan “Machine Gun Kid” Navarro’seight-round welterweight showdown against Mexico City veteranDiego “Demoledor” Cruzwill serve as the televised co-main event for the Friday, Juli 12, "Championship Fight Series” boxing event atHard Rock Event Center bij Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & CasinoHollywood.
Former amateur standout and undefeated Navarro(11-0, 7 KO) en Cruz (19-7-2, 15 KO) will meet as the chief supporting bout when WBA #13-rated welterweightDerrieck “Pretty Boy” Cuevas(21-0-1, 14 KO) of Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, defends his WBA Fedelatin Welterweight Championship against Los Mochis, Mexico's Jesus Alberto “Barretero” Beltran (17-2-2, 10 KO) in the 10-round “Puerto Rico vs. Mexico” main event.
Championship Fight Series is presented byKris Lawrence en The Heavyweight Factory, in samenwerking met All Star Boxing, enwill be televised live on the most popular boxing series on Hispanic television, Boxeo Telemundo, bij 11:35 p.m. EST.
Tickets for “Championship Fight Series” are on sale now and cost $60, $100, $150, $250 en $500. Tickets are available throughticketmaster.com.
As is custom for these jam-packed events, the exciting undercard features many South Florida and international fighters.
Headlining the undercard, two-time Olympic medalist and undefeated heavyweight KO artist Ivan “The Kazakh Giant” Dychko (8-0, 8 KO) Boca Raton, Florida, via Rudniy, Kazachstan, will face former ESPN 2015 Boxcino Tournament Quarterfinalist Nate Heaven (9-2, 7 KO) van Ocala, Florida.
In an eight-round super featherweight battle, Ekibastuz, Kazakhstan’s Mussa “Warrior” Tursyngaliyev (9-0, 6 KO) will face Panama City, Panama’s Ricardo “El Matematico” Nunez (29-9, 23 KO). In a four-round light heavyweight contest, Miami via Cuba’s wildly popular Ulysses Diaz (10-1, 9 KO) will look to return to the win column against Winter Park, Florida’s Mike Sawyer (8-12, 6 KO).
In a special eight-round super featherweight attraction, Miami via Cuba’s Jessy “Beast Boy” Cruz (16-7-1, 7 KO) will look to continue his four-fight winning streak in an all-action punch-out with Mexico City’s Isao Gonzalo “Kato” Carranza (15-14-1, 9 KO).
Also featured will be an eight-round super bantamweight slugfest between Miami’s Jorge De Jesus Romero (14-0, 10 KO) and Mexico City’s Szilveszter Kanalas (14-8, 9 KO); as well as a four-round light heavyweight matchup featuring popular Fort Lauderdale warrior Blake Davis (2-0, 1 KO) and Jefferson City, Missouri’s Armando Reeves (2-3).
Opening up the action will be a four-round featherweight bout between Miami’s Luis Melendez (4-1, 3 KO) and Ponce, Puerto Rico’s Eduardo Melendez (5-26, 1 KO).
Op Fight Night, the Hard Rock Event Center doors open at 6 p.m., en de actie begint bij 7 p.m. Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood is located at 1 Seminole Way in Hollywood, Fla.
PHILADELPHIA / LOS ANGELES – Juli 1, 2019 -This past Saturday night, Brandon Adams announced himself as a top contender as he put on a gutsy performance against undefeated WBC World Middleweight Champion Jermall Charlo in Charlo’s hometown of Houston.
The bout was the main event that and was televised live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®, in which Adams gave a strong account for himself.
Adams took some of the best shots that the power punching Charlo could throw, and not only was Adams never hurt in the fight, in the later rounds, he began to take the fight to the hometown champion.
“I was ready to risk it all. I went into the fight looking to dominate and get the stoppage victory. I knew going into the fight that is what I needed to do going into his hometown,” Said Adams.
Adams was not in the least intimidated by stepping into enemy territory, but there were a few things that happened during the fight that he did not expect which hindered his gameplan.
“The referee would not let me get low. As you saw during the fight, I was crouching down to get inside, but the referee gave me a warning for doing that. I had to think of a different way to get in there without revealing myself,” continued Adams.
Hoewel, the television announcers and many on social media seemed surprised at the gutsy effort from Adams, the Watts, California native was very confident of his abilities as he entered the ring on Saturday night.
“Ik voel me goed. I knew I was capable of being on that level. I took out of the fight is that there are a few little things that I can work on and that I could have done in there. I did not know the referee would not let me get low or even let us fight in close as much as I wanted. I felt he would break us a little quickly. I also got hit in the back of the head a couple of times. Fighting in his hometown was tough.”
“I know this fight will help me better myself. Coming out of The Contender, my goal was to fight at 154 pond, but this was a world title opportunity. I proved that I am on that level at 160, and I will now look for the best opportunities at both 154 and 160.”
“We are very proud of Brandon. He fought very hard and put on a great performance,” said Artie Pelullo of Banner Promotions. “Brandon proved that he is a world class fighter, and now the world has seen what we already knew, that he is on the elite level. There will be many doors that will be open for him to secure more big fights.”
“I was impressed on how Brandon performed,” said Jeff Wald, Co-Creator and Co-Executive Producer of The Tournament of Contenders. “He has a big career ahead of him at both 154 en 160 pond.”
Tripleheader of Action Packed Showdowns Live in Primetime Zaterdag, Augustus 3 on FOX PBC Fight Night on FOX & FOX Deportes from Barclays Center in Brooklyn
BROOKLYN (Juni 18, 2019) – Polish star and heavyweight contenderAdam Kownacki en oud-titel uitdager Chris “De nachtmerrie” Arreola went face to face Tuesday at a press conference in Brooklyn as they previewed their showdown that headlines FOX PBC Fight Night and on FOX Deportes Saturday, Augustus 3 van Barclays Center, het huis van BROOKLYN BOKSEN ™.
Also going face to face Tuesday were two-time world championAndere Berto en Miguel Cruz, who meet in a welterweight attraction, and interim WBA Light Heavyweight ChampionMarcus Browne en voormalig wereldkampioen Jean Pascal,who kick off FOX PBC Fight Night action at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.
Tickets voor het evenement, die wordt bevorderd door TGB Promotions, can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com. Tickets kunnen ook worden gekocht bij de American Express Box Office in Barclays Center.
Here is what the press conference participants had to say Tuesday from the Barclays Center GEICO Atrium:
ADAM Kownacka
“This is an exciting moment for me. When I first fought at Barclays Center, I fought after the main event, so this is just an amazing feeling to be headlining.
“Arreola has been in there with everyone, so I know it’s a tough test. He’s coming off two knockout wins, so I know he’ll be ready, but I’m more ready.
“I’ve worked very hard to get to this moment. This is another step toward me becoming a world champion. I’m looking to put myself in line for a world title shot.
“I can’t wait for this one. It’s another step in the right direction, I know it’s going to be competitive because Arreola is coming off of two knockout wins. It’s a do or die mood for him. I know he’ll be in the best shape possible and I can’t wait to show off my skills.
“Arreola is a good fighter. He has fought everybody from Deontay Wilder to Vitali Klitschko. Hopefully I will be able to do a good job and get the win.
“Chris Arreola and I are going to put on the Fight of the Year. We’re going to show that the big guys can really fight.
“The heavyweight division is hot right now and this is going to add to it. With our styles being guys who come forward, it doesn’t get better as a boxing fan.
“This is the third fighter I’ve had in common with Deontay Wilder. I knocked out Artur Szpilka and Gerald Washington faster than he did, and I’m looking to do the same August 3.”
Chris Arreola
“Adam and I are going to put on a great fight. I’m really excited for this one. Als een fan, this is the kind of fight I’d want to watch. It’s going to be a fight that’s talked about for years.
“Everyone knows this is going to be a great fight. People always have something negative to say anyway, so I’m only controlling what I can. I’m really looking forward to this fight and displaying the new tricks of the trade that I’ll be implementing into this fight.
“I’m nothing like the fighter’s he’s fought. I’m not an opponent. Ik ben hier om te vechten. He’s going to have a tough time trying to put me out. A lot of people underestimate me, but you’ll see on August 3 that I’m a heavyweight to be reckoned with.
“The main thing that I’ve seen from Kownacki is that he throws a lot of punches. He throws a bunch of punches. You just keep throwing punches and one of them is going to land and that’s what I see from him.
“Trainingskamp is al geweldig. I’m loving it. I’m learning a lot of new tricks of the trade and working on the old things also. I’m looking forward to this fight because the things that I’ve been working on with Joe Goossen, are going to come out in this fight.
“I’m going to be in the best shape possible on August 3. I’m saying it now, if I lose, Ik ga met pensioen. But I’m not going to lose. I’m coming guns blazing to get this win.”
ANDERE BERTO
“I started my career right here in New York after the Olympics and it always feels great to be back. This is going to be a great night of fighting. This is great event with a lot of fighters I know well, but this is going to be my show. I’m going to put on a great performance.
“Miguel Cruz I just found out is from Florida and basically my hometown. So it just got real personal and it’s going to be explosive.
“Aan het einde van de dag, I’ve never stopped working. I’m in fight shape right now. This is a lifestyle for me. I don’t care what Miguel Cruz’s plans are. I have too much to fight for me to lose.
“You have to find different levels of motivation for yourself for every fight. Whether its family or whatever it is. I have my new baby girl, I lost my dad. So it’s coming from a lot of different areas right now.
“I’m going to be a whole other animal on August 3. I know what’s been going on in his camp and I know how his sparring is going. So I hope he just stays focused.
“I’m just looking to go out and put on a show. I’m looking forward to going out there and just making it happen. It’s going to be big. I’ve done a lot within the last few months. Any great performance I come back with puts me in contention.
“I’ve had a lot happen in my life in the last year. A lot of great things and some tragedies. I believe that I’m really in a position where everything is bottled up and I can’t wait to let it out on August 3.”
MIGUEL CRUZ
“It’s going to be fireworks and we’re going to bring the house down. I expect both of us to have amazing performances, but especially myself.
“I’m coming for Andre Berto and then I’m looking at Keith Thurman and that world title. I’m ready to leave it all in the ring. ik heb niets te verliezen. I’m going to show that I’m a very dangerous man.
“This is a new era of boxing. That’s the nature of the game. One day I’ll be the old lion. This is just what happens. It’s going to happen to Andre Berto on August 3.
“I don’t have any real personal feelings towards him. I’m very focused on my mission, so if he wants to get personal I believe it’s going to cause him to make mistakes. I believe that it’s going to be a disadvantage in many different ways. I’m going to continue my training camp in the way I’ve been doing it.
“We did grow up in the same area relatively so it does spark up that inner city rivalry. I think that’s how he feels. And it’s fine. I know a lot about him and he doesn’t know much about me. I feel like I have a lot of advantages in this fight. I feel like I have the youth, de kracht, and the power to do a lot of damage in this fight. I feel like he’s underestimating me, he’s going to make some mistakes and get emotional.
“I’m sure I’ve sparked a little fire in him and he’s going to train harder but that’s not going to change the fact that his mind isn’t really prepared for exactly what’s going to happen.
“I already feel like Brooklyn is my home and I’m going to make it my home going forward. I like the warmth that I feel from the fans and I especially know there’s going to be a lot of Puerto Rican support for this one. There’s going to be three stellar fights and I plan on stealing the show.”
MARCUS BROWNE
“I just want to thank everyone for allowing me to display my talents on this stage. I’m going to be in the best shape possible. I’m coming in shape for 15 rondes.
“I am always going to be underestimated in a sense, especially to a veteran like Pascal. He has to keep himself in the fight and the only way to do that is to downplay what I do. Kom in augustus 3, I will just display my talents and take care of business.
“This is a great card. You know Adam always comes with the thunder and excitement. Andre has always been in exciting fights. But when you’re watching my fight, make sure you don’t blink.
“The division has no one else like me. Pascal has fought a lot of great fighters, but he hasn’t faced anyone like me. It’s going to be something he’s never seen before in that ring.
“I am not focused on the future right now. The only thing I am focused on is Jean Pascal, because we won’t get there if we don’t take care of business with him the right way. It’s not about just winning it’s about winning the right way. We are going to focus on him right now and after that it is what it is.
“Jean Pascal always comes to fight and he comes in great shape. But he’s in my way right now. I’m going to knock you out, Ik beloof je. I’m making sure I’m ready for him. I know exactly what he possesses and we respect that. Augustus 3 it will be my time.
“I remember sparring Jean Pascal and he said I was green. But the fruit is ripe now. He knows what time it is.”
JEAN PASCAL
“Dit gaat een geweldig gevecht worden. Marcus is a tremendous fighter who’s going to train very well. We both know we’ll be at our best. I’ve been there and one that before. I’m up for any challenge.
“Marcus is the rookie and I’m the veteran. I’m going to show him who’s the boss.
“This show is very special for me because you will see the two best Haitian boxers on earth in Andre Berto and myself. I hope the big Haitian community in New York shows up to see us.
“I’m one of the best in the world. I always train hard and I’m always ready for a challenge. I know it’s not going to be easy. I don’t take any easy fight at any point in my career.
“I love the sport and I love to display all of my talent. It’s going to be technical fight and a chess match on fight night.
“Ik ben erg blij om hier te zijn. I want to thank everyone who made this dream come true for me to fight at Barclays Center. This is a tremendous place to fight and many champions have fought here. I’m going to be part of history.”
BRETT YORMARK, CEO van BSE Global
“I’m excited to kick off another heavyweight fight promotion right here in Brooklyn. This is our 5th event headlined by a heavyweight fight but our first headlined by a heavyweight from Brooklyn.
“Brooklyn loves their heavyweights. Adam is undefeated in eight fights at Barclays and this has certainly become his home and we welcome him back. There aren’t many fighters I know with the grassroots fan base that you have. We’re also excited to have Chris Arreola here for a fight that will have a great atmosphere on August 3.
“We also welcome back Andre Berto and Miguel Cruz for what we know will be an exciting welterweight matchup. I’m also thrilled that Marcus Browne is back for his 13thappearance at our venue. Thank you for being a fixture here and we also welcome Jean Pascal to challenge for your interim title.
“This is our 35thfight night. It’s been an incredible journey and PBC has continued to give us some of the best fights out there. FOX is the biggest platform in the sport of boxing today and we’re happy to have them come here on August 3.”
# # #
Kijkers kunnen de PBC-shows live streamen op de FOX Sports- en FOX NOW-apps of op FOXSports.com. Bovendien, alle programma's zijn beschikbaar op FOX Sports op het SiriusXM-kanaal 83 op satellietradio's en op de SiriusXM-app.
Op Zaterdag, Juni 22, bij CSU's Wolstein Center in Cleveland, Douglasville, Mededinger uit Georgië Brad "King" Solomon (28-1, 9 KO) zal op korte termijn optreden om het hoofd te bieden aan het Verenigd Koninkrijk Navid "Nav" Mansouri (19-2-2, 6 KO) in een strijd van 12 ronden om de WBC Verenigde Staten (USNBC) Super weltergewicht kampioenschap.
Een armblessure van de ongeslagen Canadees Cody Crowley heeft de deur geopend voor Solomon, wiens gevecht met Mansouri zal dienen als het belangrijkste evenement van Bigger Than Life Entertainment en Mo Entertainment's (in samenwerking metzesvoudig wereldkampioen Miguel Cotto's Miguel Cotto Promotions) "Een kampioen maken" evenementenlive op CBS Sports worden uitgezonden (11 uur ET / 20 uur PT) samen met super vlieggewicht Dewayne “Mr.. Stop met rennen ”Beamon (16-1-1, 11 KO)vanGoldsboro, Noord Carolina, tegenover Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentinië Lucas Emanuel Fernandez (12-2-1, 9 KO) in de 10-round co-featured wedstrijd.
Resterende tickets voor "Making A Champion" zijn geprijsd op $65, $80 en $100 en zijn nu te koop bij wolsteincenter.com of Wolstein Center Box Office op de CSU-campus.
"Ik voel mij goed,”Zei Salomo. “Ik was al aan het trainen voor iets anders, maar dit kwam als eerste en op een kans als deze heb ik gewacht. Ik ben klaar om mijn talent te laten zien en te laten zien dat ik er nog steeds ben. Nadat ik heb gedaan wat ik met deze man doe, dat zal me weer in de ogen van iedereen plaatsen. "
Solomon, die zegt dat hij pech heeft gehad met gemiste kansen en contractgeschillen, weet niet veel over zijn last-minute tegenstander, maar maakt zich geen zorgen.
"Ik zal erachter komen wat hij heeft als ik daar binnenkom. Ik kan me overal aan aanpassen, dus ik maak me er niet al te veel zorgen over. Ik wil deze overwinning gewoon gebruiken om me naar grotere kansen te springen. Ik was nummer één van de wereld en maakte me op voor een titelopname, maar het is niet gelukt. Ik wil terug naar buiten en mijn titel krijgen die ik verdien. Het voelt alsof mijn geluk nu aan het veranderen is.
30--jarige Mansouri uit Rotherham, Yorkshire, Verenigd Koninkrijk, is een voormalig BBofC English Super Welterweight Champion en woont momenteel in Los Angeles en traint in de legendarische Wild Card Gym.
Mansouri zegt dat de verhuizing hem een schat aan nieuwe ervaring heeft opgeleverd.
“De training gaat erg goed. Ik ben voor dit kamp naar Los Angeles verhuisd. Ik heb zelfs mijn familie verlaten om dit kamp te doen. Het is moeilijk, maar je moet opofferen voor dit spel. Ik train met (voormalig trainer van Peter Quillen en Paulie Malignaggi) Eric Brown bij de Wild Card Gym in Hollywood. Ik werk graag met hem. Ik heb een kracht- en conditietrainer waar ik ook mee werk, Taylor Ramsdell. De sportschool heeft een geweldige sfeer. Ik word blootgesteld aan veel verschillende stijlen.
Met als doel een bekend product in de VS te worden, Mansouri hoopt dat dit gevecht het lanceerplatform vormt.
“Dit is geweldig om naar Amerika te komen om te trainen en te vechten. Ik heb hier altijd al willen vechten en deze is op twee netwerken, dus het is een manier om mezelf op de Amerikaanse markt te profileren. Veel mensen zullen naar dit gevecht kijken en ik ben klaar om te laten zien waartoe ik in staat ben. "
De spannende undercard van vijf gevechten, met Cleveland's Montana Liefde (11-0-1, 5 KO) het opnemen tegen Kenia Michael Odhiambo (15-11, 12 KO) in een weltergewicht gevecht van zes ronden en Cleveland's comebacking voormalige mededinger Tijdelijke afbeelding voor Miguel Angel Gonzalez (24-4, 16 KO) tegen Mexico City Mario Perez (20-7-5, 12 KO) in een lichtgewicht six-rounder wordt live gestreamd www.fite.tv (7:30 uur ET / 4:30 pm PT).
###
Ray Leonard Jr., zoon van zesvoudig wereldkampioen, Sugar Ray Leonard zal het CBS Sports-commentaar leveren. Wereldberoemde kledingontwerper, Karl Kani zorgt voor outfits voor de ringmeisjes.
Het Wolstein Center bevindt zich op 2000 Prospect Avenue in Cleveland. Op Fight Night, de deuren gaan open om 7:00 pm en de actie begint om 7:30 pm. Making A Champion wordt gesponsord door B&M BBQ.
Over Bigger Than Life Entertainment
BTLE is een full-service entertainmentbedrijf dat gespecialiseerd is in bokspromoties, Public Relations en artiestenbeheer. Ze plaatsen beroemdheden op het gebied van sport en entertainment bij grote evenementen over de hele wereld en bieden sportkaartjes en -arrangementen in Las Vegas, over het U.S., en internationaal.
Over Miguel Cotto Promotions
MCP komt voort uit de visie en passie van Miguel Angel Cotto Vazquez met het uitgangspunt om de bokser te geven wat boksen zijn familie gaf. Te voorschijn komen 2005, MCP heeft sindsdien een goede band opgebouwd met de gemeenschap met meer dan 13 jaren in de industrie om zijn plek als een van de toonaangevende sportbedrijven in Puerto Rico te verstevigen.
