Tag Archives: Dominic Breazeale

boxing, NBC, Premier Boxing Champions

VICTOR ORTIZ TAKES ON GILBERTO SANCHEZ LEON TERRELL GAUSHA SET TO FACE SAID EL HARRAK HUGO CENTENO SQUARES OFF AGAINST JOSUE OBANDO MARIO BARRIOS BATTLES MANUEL VIDES & BRANDON FIGUEROA FIGHTS FRANCISCO MURO ON PBC ON NBCSN  SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12

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Full Night Of Action Comes To The AT&T Center In San Antonio
SAN ANTONIO (December 8, 2015) – Opponents for the previously announced Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on NBCSN card are set for their Saturday, December 12 showdowns at the newly renovated AT&T Center in San Antonio.
PBC on NBCSN action will see the return of “Vicious” Victor Ortiz (30-5-2, 23 KOs) as he faces Mexican veteran Gilberto Sanchez Leon (33-13-2) in a 10-round welterweight affair, 2012 U.S. Olympian Terrell Gausha (16-0, 8 KOs) take on Said El Harrak (12-3-2, 7 KOs) in a 10-round junior middleweight bout, unbeaten Hugo “The Boss” Centeno  (23-0, 12 KOs) against Josue Obando (12-7-1, 10 KOs) in a 10-round middleweight contest, undefeated local prospect Mario Barrios (13-0, 7 KOs) stepping into the ring against Panama’s Manuel Vides (18-4, 11 KOs) in an eight round lightweight contest and Brandon Figueroa (3-0, 2 KOs) against Francisco Muro (2-1, 1 KO) in a four-round bantamweight battle.
The NBCSN coverage will bookend the PBC on NBC event headlined by undefeated starOmar “Panterita” Figueroa (25-0-1, 18 KOs), of Weslaco, Texas, taking on former world champion Antonio DeMarco (31-5-1, 23 KOs). Coverage on NBC begins at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT and will also feature a pair of heavyweight showdowns as undefeated 2012 U.S. Olympian Dominic “Trouble” Breazeale (16-0, 14 KOs) faces“Prince” Charles Martin (22-0-1, 20 KOs) and hard-hitting Mexican-American Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola (36-4-1, 31 KOs) battles Travis “My Time” Kauffman (30-1, 22 KOs).
NBCSN coverage will begin at 6:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. PT and go until 7:30 pm. ET/4:30 pm PT. NBCSN coverage will resume at 11 p.m. ET/8:00 p.m. PT following the NBC broadcast and run to midnight ET/9:00 p.m. PT.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Leija Battah Promotions, are priced at $220, $112, $85, $58 and $31, not including applicable fees, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, www.attcenter.com  or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased by emailingm@leijabattahpromo.com or calling (210) 979-3302.
Also featured in exciting undercard fights are undefeated prospects Semajay Thomas(6-0, 4 KOs) out of Chicago in a six-round welterweight affair against Florida’s Farkhad Sharipov (4-5, 1 KO), 25-year-old New Jersey-product Rickey Edwards (9-0, 3 KOs) in a six round lightweight bout against undefeated Ariel Paez (4-0, 1 KO), Lanell “KO” Bellows (13-1-1, 7 KOs) out of Las Vegas taking on Nigeria’s Michael Gbenga (16-23, 16 KOs) in eight-rounds of super middleweight action and 21-year-old Justin DeLoach(11-1, 6 KOs) of Georgia, Louisiana in a six-round super welterweight contest.
Rounding out the night of action will be undefeated San Antonio-product Adam Lopezagainst former world champion Eric Aiken in a super bantamweight bout, 21-year-oldJavier Rodriguez battling Alejandro Moreno in a four-round super bantamweight showdown, San Antonio’s Steve Hall as he squares off against Adam Ealons in a four-round super lightweight fight and Austin’s Brandon Chalker in a four round super featherweight contest against San Antonio’s Rudy Zamora.
An exciting fighter who never shies away from action, Ortiz returns to the ring one year after injuring his hand in his last bout, a third round stoppage of Manuel Perez. The 28-year-old was a 147-pound world champion when he defeated Andre Berto in 2011 to set up a showdown with Floyd Mayweather. The Kansas-native has spent time in recent years to film roles in movies such as “Southpaw” and “The Expendables 3” but will returnDecember 12 healthy and ready to fight his way back to the pinnacle of the sport. First, he will have to get past the durable Leon out of Mexicali, Mexico who owns victories over Dario Cervantes, Carlos Yanez and Rene Ruiz.
Born and raised in Cleveland, Gausha was a decorated amateur who won gold medals at the U.S. National Championships in 2009 and 2012 and represented the US as part of the 2012 Olympic Team. The 28-year-old is undefeated since turning pro in 2012. In 2015 he has scored a knockout victory over Norberto Gonzalez and defeated Luis Grajeda and Eliezer Gonzalez by decision. Now he will take on the 28-year-old El Harrak who fights out of Las Vegas by way London.
Oxnard, California’s Centeno has long been one of boxing’s top prospects with victories over Ayi Bruce, Keandre Leatherwood, Angel Osuna and Gerardo Ibarra. In December 2014 he faced his stiffest test to date against James De La Rosa and passed with flying colors, scoring a spectacular fifth-round knockout. Most recently, the 24-year-old took down Lukasz Maciec in September and looks to finish the year with another strong performance against Guadalajara, Mexico’s Obando.
Fighting in his hometown of San Antonio, Barrioslooks for his seventh victory of 2015 onDecember 12. The 20-year-old hopes to build on his momentum after winning his first eight-round bout over Enrique Tinoco on November 10. He will face the 25-year-old Panamian Vides who owns victories in 2015 over Ivan Trejos and Samuel Moreno.
The brother of main event participant and former world champion Omar, the 18-year-old Figueroa turned pro in May by defeating Hector Gutierrez and has followed that up by stopping Ricardo Mena and Ramiro Ruiz. The Weslaco, Texas-product looks to make it a perfect 2015 when he takes on the 19-year-old Muro out of Tucson, Arizona.
For more information, visit www.premierboxingchampions.com and www.nbcsports.com/boxing, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @LeijaBattahPR, , @OmarFigueroaJr, @NBCSports and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampionsand www.facebook.com/NBCSports. Highlights available at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions.
boxing, NBC, Premier Boxing Champions

BOXING COMES TO THE AT&T CENTER

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By: Lorne Chan Spurs.com
Blood spilled from Omar Figueroa’s nose the last time he was at the AT&T Center, his hands injured from throwing a thousand punches. Figueroa was exhausted, and it was all worth it when the championship belt was placed on his shoulder.
That was on July 27, 2013. Figueroa fought Nihito Arakawa and claimed the WBC Lightweight Title in a bout that topped many Fight of the Year lists.
Two years later, Omar “Panterita” Figueroa is coming back to the AT&T Center. Figueroa (25-0-1, 18 KOs) is headlining a Premier Boxing Champions card on Dec. 12, where he’ll fight Antonio DeMarco (31-5-1, 23 KOs).
Tickets starting at $31 are available at www.attcenter.com for the fights, which also includes Dominic “Trouble” Breazeale against “Prince” Charles Martin in a heavyweight bout and the return to the ring of former welterweight champion Victor Ortiz.
For Figueroa, his return to the AT&T Center ring means a return to the setting of one of the greatest nights of his life, when he defeated Arakawa in a decision.
“Going toe-to-toe, 12 rounds, it was like something in the Rocky movies,” Figueroa said. “It’s about having the courage and heart to stay in there and perform that way. To go in there, blood and broken hands, it was amazing. I was glad to be able to do that here at the AT&T Center.”
Figueroa, 25, is the pride of the Rio Grande Valley. He’s a native of Weslaco, about 250 miles south of the AT&T Center. He trains there with his father, Omar Sr., who first put gloves on his son when Jr. was 6.
Nicknamed “Panterita,” Figueroa developed his style in the ring through an estimated 200 amateur fights in Mexico and another 50 in the United States as a junior.
He’s a relentless puncher. He doesn’t mind taking a few hits if it means getting a few shots in himself. Fights with Figueroa become less about the “sweet science” and more about sheer willpower. That style led the greatest fight the AT&T Center had ever seen.
Figueroa and Arakawa traded punches for every second of their 12-round fight, with the AT&T Center crowd chanting “Omar! Omar!” throughout. Although Figueroa, an orthodox fighter, injured his hands punching Arakawa’s face and body, Arakawa would not go down. Both fighters persevered for 36 minutes, giving each other nods of respect at the end of each round.
When the fight was over and Figueroa was crowned the first world champion from the Rio Grande Valley, his courage through the fight earned him much more than a belt in boxing circles. According to CompuBox, which tallies punches thrown and landed, Figueroa connected on 450 power punches in the fight, the fourth-most all-time in any weight class in CompuBox’s 30 years of recording fights.
“In a sport that has produced many memorable chapters,” announcer Mauro Ranallo said during the fight, “here in San Antonio you can add another chapter to boxing’s beautiful and brutal legacy.”
Having moved up to the 140-pound weight class, Figueroa said this is the first time he’s felt fully healthy since the Arakawa fight. As Figueroa’s star continues to rise, DeMarco, a former WBC Lightweight champion himself from Sinaloa, Mexico, is standing in his way.
“This will be a very tough fight and will most likely be a war because of our fighting styles,” DeMarco said.
The Dec. 12 card is filled with big matchups, another main event bout feature sDominic “Trouble” Breazeale (16-0, 14 KOs) against “Prince” Charles Martin (22-0-1, 20 KOs) and Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola (36-4-1, 31 KOs) against Travis “My Time” Kauffman (30-1, 22 KOs).
Breazeale, a former quarterback at the University of Northern Colorado, took up boxing after his college career ended and became a 2012 Olympian. He has recorded a knockout in all but two professional fights, but faces his toughest test against Martin, who has gone more than four rounds just once in his last eight fights.
Victor Ortiz makes his return to the ring in the AT&T Center as well, as his career has taken a fascinating path since he fought Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2011. Ortiz appeared on “Dancing With The Stars” in 2013, and has acting roles in “The Expendables 3” and “Southpaw.” His San Antonio fight will be his first in 364 days, and Ortiz will be a fan favorite.
Leija/Battah Promotions have brought the fight card to San Antonio, as hometown son Jesse James Leija said he hopes to bring bigger and bigger fights to the AT&T Center.
“San Antonio’s probably the best city for boxing in the United States,” Leija said. “We want to keep giving the fans their money’s worth with some of the best fighters in Texas and elsewhere.”
The fights at the AT&T Center are also an opportunity for some local fighters to get in the ring on a broadcast that will be televised on NBC and NBCSN beginning at 5 p.m. CST.
Mario Barrios, a 20-year-old who attended Southwest High School in San Antonio, has already fought six times in 2015 and won all six fights. For Barrios (13-0, 7 KOs), walking into the AT&T Center is something he said his whole career has been building toward.
“I’ve fought in so many places where nobody knew me,” Barrios said. “To fight at home, in front of my family, it might be a little overwhelming. It’s going to feel for me like that point in your career that you’re really doing something.”
Twitter:@lornechan
boxing, NBC, Premier Boxing Champions

OMAR FIGUEROA TALKS TRAINING & FAMILY BEFORE PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON NBC PRIMETIME SHOWDOWN AGAINST ANTONIO DEMARCO SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12 FROM THE AT&T CENTER 

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Click HERE For Photos From Team Figueroa
WESLACO, TX (December 1, 2015) – Undefeated boxer Omar “El Panterita” Figueroa (25-0-1, 16 KOs) is going to close out his year with a ring return that will send him into 2016 as both a star in the sport, but also a new threat in the 140-pound division.
Figueroa headlines Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on NBC in primetime onSaturday, December 12. PBC on NBC will air live at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT from San Antonio’s AT&T Center when Figueroa battles former world champion Antonio DeMarco(31-5-1, 23 KOs).
South Texas’s “El Panterita” (little Panther) had a strong super lightweight debut in May against former titlist Ricky Burns and after being delayed by injuries, he is back, healthy and firing on all cylinders.
“I’m ready,” said Figueroa. “Since I’ve moved up to 140 I’ve felt stronger than ever. This week in camp, after my sparring sessions, I’ve felt that I was connecting more and that my velocity and power has increased. My May fight was a good indication of what I can do and this fight against DeMarco will be another one. This weight division feels natural to me.”
Having moved up a weight class in 2015, this year also finds Figueroa back training with his father, Omar Sr., in his hometown of Weslaco, TX.
“Boxing is in my family’s blood,” he said. “My father, sister, brother and mother are all involved with either training or fighting. Being able to train at home, surrounded by my family is important to me. Everything I do is for my family and my community.”
Growing up in both the U.S. and Mexico, Figueroa fought in over 200 amateur fights in Mexico and 100 in the U.S. before turning pro. A proud Mexican-American and Texan, the 25-year-old Figueroa is diversifying training this camp including sparring with a number of fighters from Texas as well as surrounding states.
“I’m sticking to the plan of training and conditioning this camp – cardio, sparring – but the big difference for me is really strengthening and taking care of my body through different preventative therapies. I’m icing, stretching and utilizing the Theraband in workouts. I’m also working with more recovery exercises – warm up and cool down, stimulation, ultrasound, I can tell my body and camp performance that it’s changing my body.”
Not one to sit still, the natural-born athlete takes note of some of the training regimens from past coaches in an attempt to “train smarter” and avoid overtraining.
The December 12 PBC on NBC fight will also be a family affair with his younger brother Brandon appearing on the NBCSN broadcast.
“I’m really grateful for my whole team and promoters Jesse Leija and Mike Battah. They’re giving a lot of talented Texas fighters a shot on a strong national card. Boxing needs to support and bring up talent from across all divisions, and it’s great to see some of my team as well as other top prospects getting a shot on a bill like this one. It’s helping to grow boxing.”
For more information, visit www.premierboxingchampions.com and www.nbcsports.com/boxing, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @LeijaBattahPR, , @OmarFigueroaJr, @NBCSports and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampionsand www.facebook.com/NBCSports. Highlights available at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions.
boxing, NBC, Premier Boxing Champions

DOMINIC “TROUBLE” BREAZEALE PROVIDES TRAINING CAMP UPDATE

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Upland, California (December 1, 2015) – In less than two weeks, undefeated top U.S. heavyweight prospect Dominic “Trouble” Breazeale (16-0, 14 KO’s)returns to the ring against “Prince” Charles Martin (22-0-1, 20 KO’s) in a battle of undefeated American heavyweights.  The 2012 Olympian’s bout will be televised on prime-time NBC on the Premier Boxing Champions live telecast which is scheduled to take place at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas.

Heading into his last full week of training camp in preparation for his upcoming bout against Martin, Breazeale shared his thoughts on his camp so far, fighting on NBC for the third time this year, his relationship with new trainer Manny Robles and his expectations for the bout with Martin.
Breazeale’s thoughts on how training camp is going:
Photo c/o Team Breazeale
“Training camp is going great so
far.  It’s definitely the best training camp Ihave had thus far in my career. I continue to learn a lot from my trainer Manny Robles and working on fundamentals and technique has been a plus in this camp.  My strength and conditioning coach Sean Martinez has also introduced new training techniques that work on my core and help with my explosiveness.

I have had quality sparring here in California and have flown in a southpaw sparring partner to prepare me for my bout with Charles.  This past weekend I traveled to San Francisco to work with a southpaw and it was great work.”

 

Breazeale’s feelings on fighting on NBC for the third time this year:
“It’s great to fight on television, but to fight on a prime-time network that reaches millions of viewers and attracts new boxing fans is a blessing.  I have to thank my adviser Al Haymon for the opportunities he has provided me and I intend to make the best of them.  I think what stands out to me is the fact that my grandmother who doesn’t have cable can watch me for free.

What the Premier Boxing Champions series has done for the sport of boxing is awesome.  I hope to gain quite a bit of new fans come December 12th.”

Breazeale’s relationship with new trainer Manny Robles:
“A lot of people don’t know this, but I trained with Manny throughout my entire amateur career leading up to and during the Olympics.  Although I haven’t trained with Manny in three years, I feel as if we had never missed a beat.  I feel very comfortable training with Manny and he has a great amount of knowledge about the sport.

I truly feel that he is the trainer that possesses the knowledge and skills that can get me to that next level.”

Breazeale’s expectations on his bout with Martin:
“I know this is the toughest bout of my career thus far and I’m definitely ready.  I expect to win and win convincingly.  With Klitchko being knocked off by Fury this past weekend, the heavyweight division is open for the taking.  Beating Martin is the next step on the path to the world heavyweight championship.  I am always looking for a knockout, but if it doesn’t come I can guarantee that this will be one hell of a fight.”
 
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FORMER WORLD CHAMPION VICTOR ORTIZ PLUS RISING STARS TERRELL GAUSHA, HUGO CENTENO JR., MARIO BARRIOS & BRANDON FIGUEROA FEATURED IN SEPARATE BOUTS ON ACTION PACKED NIGHT OF PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ACTION ON NBCSN

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12 FROM THE AT&T CENTER IN SAN ANTONIO
 
ACTION ON NBCSN BOOKENDS PBC ON NBC PRIMETIME EVENT 
WITH COVERAGE FROM 6 P.M. ET – 7:30 P.M. ET &
FROM 11 P.M. ET – MIDNIGHT ET
 
SAN ANTONIO (November 18, 2015) – Former world champion “Vicious” Victor Ortiz(30-5-2, 23 KOs), 2012 U.S. Olympian Terrell Gausha (16-0, 8 KOs), undefeated middleweight Hugo “The Boss” Centeno Jr. (23-0, 12 KOs), undefeated San Antonio-born prospect Mario Barrios (13-0, 7 KOs) and undefeated bantamweight prospect Brandon Figueroa (3-0, 2 KOs) will compete in separate undercard bouts as part of a full night of Premier Boxing Champions (PBC)on NBC and NBCSN action on Saturday, December 12 from the newly renovated AT&T Center in San Antonio.
The NBCSN coverage will bookend the PBC on NBC event headlined by undefeated star Omar “Panterita” Figueroa (25-0-1, 18 KOs), of Weslaco, Texas, taking on former world champion Antonio DeMarco (31-5-1, 23 KOs). Coverage on NBC begins at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT and will also feature a pair of heavyweight showdowns as undefeated 2012 U.S. Olympian Dominic “Trouble” Breazeale (16-0, 14 KOs) faces“Prince” Charles Martin (22-0-1, 20 KOs) and hard-hitting Mexican-American Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola (36-4-1, 31 KOs) battles Travis “My Time” Kauffman (30-1, 22 KOs).
NBCSN coverage will begin at 6:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. PT and go until 7:30 pm ET/4:30 pm PT.   NBCSN coverage will resume at 11 p.m. ET/8:00 p.m. PT following the NBC broadcast and run to midnight ET/9:00 p.m. PT.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Leija Battah Promotions, are priced at $220, $112, $85, $58 and $31, not including applicable fees, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, www.attcenter.com  or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased by emailingm@leijabattahpromo.com or calling (210) 979-3302.
An exciting fighter who never shies away from action, Ortiz returns to the ring one year after injuring his hand in his last bout, a third round stoppage of Manuel Perez. The 28-year-old was a 147-pound world champion when he defeated Andre Berto in 2011 to set up a showdown with Floyd Mayweather. The Kansas-native has spent time in recent years to film roles in movies such as “Southpaw” and “The Expendables 3” but will returnDecember 12 healthy and ready to fight his way back to the pinnacle of his sport.
Born and raised in Cleveland, Gaushawas a decorated amateur who won gold medals at the U.S. National Championships in 2009 and 2012 and represented the US as part of the 2012 Olympic Team. The 28-year-old is undefeated since turning pro in 2012. In 2015 he has scored a knockout victory over Norberto Gonzalez and defeated Luis Grajeda and Eliezer Gonzalez by decision.
Oxnard, California’s Centeno has long been one of boxing’s top prospects with victories over Ayi Bruce, Keandre Leatherwood, Angel Osuna and Gerardo Ibarra. In December 2014 he faced his stiffest test to date against James De La Rosa and passed with flying colors, scoring a spectacular fifth-round knockout. Most recently, the 24-year-old took down Lukasz Maciec in September and looks to finish the year with another strong performance.
Fighting in his hometown of San Antonio, Barrioslooks for his seventh victory of 2015 onDecember 12. The 20-year-old hopes to build on his momentum after winning his first eight-round bout over Enrique Tinoco on November 10.
The brother of main event participant and former world champion Omar, the 18-year-old Figueroa turned pro in May by defeating Hector Gutierrez and has followed that up by stopping Ricardo Mena and Ramiro Ruiz. The Weslaco, Texas-product looks to make it a perfect 2015 when he enters the ring on December 12.
For more information, visit www.premierboxingchampions.com and www.nbcsports.com/boxing, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @LeijaBattahPR, , @OmarFigueroaJr, @NBCSports and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampionsand www.facebook.com/NBCSports. Highlights available at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions.
boxing, NBC, Premier Boxing Champions

UNDEFEATED STAR OMAR FIGUEROA TO FACE FORMER WORLD CHAMPION ANTONIO DEMARCO IN MAIN EVENT OF PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON NBC IN PRIMETIME SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12 FROM THE AT&T CENTER IN SAN ANTONIO 8:30 P.M ET/5:30 P.M. PT

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STACKED CARD FEATURES UNDEFEATED AMERICAN HEAVYWEIGHTS
DOMINIC BREAZEALE VS. CHARLES MARTIN
&
MEXICAN-AMERICAN BRAWLER CHRIS ARREOLA BATTLING
TRAVIS KAUFFMAN
 
 Tickets On Sale Now!
 
SAN ANTONIO (November 5, 2015) – Undefeated star Omar “Panterita” Figueroa(25-0-1, 18 KOs), of Weslaco, Texas, returns to take on former world champion Antonio DeMarco (31-5-1, 23 KOs) in a super lightweight battle that headlines Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on NBC in primetime, Saturday, December 12 from the newly renovated AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas with televised coverage beginning at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT.
PBC on NBC will feature a stacked tripleheader of action featuring multiple exciting heavyweight showdowns. In a battle of undefeated American heavyweights 2012 U.S. Olympian Dominic “Trouble” Breazeale (16-0, 14 KOs) faces “Prince” Charles Martin (22-0-1, 20 KOs) in a 10-round contest and the action continues with hard-hitting Mexican-American Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola (36-4-1, 31 KOs) against Travis “My Time” Kauffman (30-1, 22 KOs) in 10-rounds of action.
“I’m excited to once again be fighting in my home state of Texas, in front of my fans who know what to expect from me,” said Figueroa. “I’m going to fight smart, it’s going to be exciting and I will slowly break down DeMarco and give the fans and myself a win. I can box straight forward and also trade fire with fire. As we say in Spanish, ‘si, se puede’, yes we can. I am ready to get in the ring, risk it all and be the man who wins. Don’t miss it.”
“This will be a very tough fight and will most likely be a war because of our fighting styles,” said DeMarco. “I will do everything I can to give a great show and a great fight. My objective is to win.”
“Charles Martin has nowhere near the experience I have, it’s like night and day,” said Breazeale. “I do everything better than him and am in much better condition. I’m looking to end 2015 with a bang and get ready to kick-off my 2016 campaign in style. I want to move toward challenging for a world title.”
“I’m looking forward to a big night on December 12,” said Martin. “I know Dominic very well and have a lot of respect for him, so I know it’s going to be a tough fight. This fight is about two of the best young heavyweights in the world fighting each other. I won’t let anything stand in my way of becoming heavyweight champion.”
“I’ve known Kauffman for a long time and very well but once the bell rings, it’s time to go to work,” said Arreola. “I’m a beast when I’m in great shape and that’s what I will be for this fight. I haven’t fought in San Antonio but I look forward to fighting in front of the loyal-Mexican-American boxing fans.”
“This is a fight that I’ve been wanting,” said Kauffman. “I know how tough Chris is and how great his desire to win is. This is my toughest test to date, but it is my time to shine. I believe that I will be a world champion and to do that I have to win this fight.”
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Leija Battah Promotions, are priced at $220, $112, $85, $58 and $31, not including applicable fees, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, www.attcenter.com  or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased by emailingm@leijabattahpromo.com or calling (210) 979-3302.
Figueroa made his 140-pound debut on May 9 when he took down former world champion Ricky Burns in a scintillating toe-to-toe battle that featured great action throughout. The 25-year-old won a 135-pound world title in 2013 when he outslugged Nihito Arakawa in a brutal “Fight of the Year” battle before defending his title against Jerry Belmontes and Daniel Estrada. Born in Weslaco, Texas, he is looking to continue his impressive rise to the top of the 140-pound division.
A former world champion in the lightweight division, the 29-year-old DeMarcosteps back into the ring in San Antonio on December 12. Fighting out of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, he owns victories over John Molina Jr. and Jorge Linares. He looks to take advantage of another shot at one of the best in the game as he takes on the undefeated Figueroa.
Since representing the U.S. at the 2012 Olympics, Breazealehas been nearly perfect in recording knockouts as a pro, having only gone the distance in two fights, including his last contest which saw him defeat the very difficult Fred Kassi in another primetime NBC battle. The 30-year-old played quarterback at the University of Northern Colorado before he began boxing and looks to keep his undefeated record intact on December 12 when he faces the toughest challenge of his career in a fellow undefeated American. In 2015 the Glendale, California native recorded stoppages over Victor Brisbal and Yasmany Consuegra before taking down Kassi.
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, but fighting out of Carson, California, Martin has stopped his last 11 opponents within the distance. The 29-year-old who stopped Vicente Sandez in September, looks to remain undefeated against Breazeale.
Making his first appearance in San Antonio, Arreola will fight in front of the passionate Texas boxing fans for the second straight time after earning a draw against Fred Kassi onJuly 18 in El Paso. On March 13 he was victorious against Curtis Harper in an outstanding slugfest that featured excellent back-and-forth action throughout. A native of Riverside, Calif., Arreola has challenged the top heavyweights over the last decade and is regarded as one of the most feared punchers in the division.  
An experienced fighter with a family history in the sport, the 30-year-old Kauffman steps up and faces the most threatening opponent of his career on December 12. Kauffman won the first 18 fights of his career after turning pro in 2006.
For more information, visit www.premierboxingchampions.com andwww.nbcsports.com/boxing, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @LeijaBattahPR, @OmarFigueroaJr, @NBCSports and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions andwww.facebook.com/NBCSports. Highlights available at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions.
boxing, NBC, Premier Boxing Champions

DOMINIC “TROUBLE” BREAZEALE READY FOR PRIME TIME

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Birmingham, Alabama (September 25, 2015) –  World heavyweight championship boxing returns to prime-time television tomorrow evening on NBCafter over thirty-years.  Two bouts will be televised and featured in the co-main event of the live Premier Boxing Champions telecast is undefeated heavyweight prospect Dominic “Trouble” Breazeale (15-0, 14 KO’s).

Breazeale, who will be opening up the live telecast is truly excited and thankful for the opportunity to show that he is ready to take on the top fighters of the heavyweight division.  Speaking at the press conference yesterday, Breazeale stated the following, “I want to thank Al Haymon and Premier Boxing Champions for this opportunity.  This is a dream come true for me and I intend to make the best of it.  I respect my opponent Fred Kassi, but this is business and I am coming out looking for the early knockout.”

“I need to make a statement and what better statement than to impose my will on this man and take him out in the early rounds in front of a nationally televised audience.  Deontay Wilder is fighting in the main-event after my bout so I am sure he will be watching.  Everyone is going to know who I am after this fight and know that I am coming for those world heavyweight titles.  I want to bring that fear and respect back to American heavyweight boxing,” said Breazeale.

The Premier Boxing Champions live telecast kicks off at 8:30 p.m. EST/5:30 p.m. PST on NBC.

“Here Comes Trouble“
 
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boxing, NBC, Premier Boxing Champions

PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON NBC DEONTAY WILDER VS. JOHANN DUHAUPAS FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & PHOTOS

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Click HERE For Photos From Lucas Noonan/Premier Boxing Champions
 
Click HERE For Photos From Stephonia Mclinn
 
BIRMINGHAM, AL (September 24, 2015) – Heavyweight world champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder and French heavyweight Johann “Reptile” Duhaupas faced-off for the first time Thursday before they enter the ring for Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on NBC Saturday, September 26 from the Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama.
Also in attendance at Thursday’s press conference was 2012 U.S. Olympian Dominic “Trouble” Breazeale who battles “Big” Fred Kassi in a 10-round heavyweight bout and undefeated prospect Charles “Missouri” Martinwho takes on Vicente “Bufalo” Sandez in 10-rounds of heavyweight action.
Tickets for the event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Bruno Event Team, start at only $25 and are on sale now. For tickets please visit www.alabamatitlefight.com.
Here is what the participants had to say Thursday:
DEONTAY WILDER
“I’m so happy to have the opportunity to defend my title in my home state. I just defended my title a few months ago and I can’t wait to do it again.
“I’m always looking to have my face on new networks and NBC is where a lot of the greats that came before me started. I can’t wait to display my talent on the network. I can’t wait for Saturday night.
“This is my happiest point. Words can’t even express the feeling that I have. I love what I do. I’m so passionate about boxing. If she was a woman, I’d put a ring on her.
“I’d like to thank Duhaupas for accepting the challenge. If anyone is looking past him, they’re a fool. He’s a tall guy, with a good record who’s never been knocked out. I have friends all over the world who have told me not to look past him.
“Any man that steps in the ring, definitely gets my full attention in respect. The heavyweights are the hard-hitters. When people get dressed up to see a heavyweight fight, there’s one thing they want to see – knockouts.
“Right now, there are two tall guys with power that are determined and dedicated. There is one challenger, trying to become the first heavyweight champion from his country. There is a difference between being here for the opportunity or for the money. Guys here for the opportunity, they come to fight.
“I’ve been training extremely hard for this opportunity. I have a great team behind me. I’ve worked so hard to get that belt and I have to work even harder to keep it. I have a target on my back now. I love that feeling of the world wanting what I have.
“I’m excited to be back home once more. I’m excited about all the fans that will be tuning in on NBC. It’s going to be a packed crowd full of my people.
“I’m taking this very seriously. This is one of the biggest fights of my career. I’m ready to defend this title. Now is the time.”
JOHANN DUHAUPAS
“I’m very thankful to be here and I’m so glad I accepted this fight. I’m someone who has worked very hard to be here.
“It’s because of all my hard work that I am here today, ready to fight for a world title. I’ve traveled a lot to train with the best boxers in the world. I am here for a reason, and that is to win the title on Saturday.
“It’s an immense pleasure to be boxing here in the United States. It’s been a magical country to me ever since I was little. When I walk around in the streets here, I feel like I’m in the movies.”
DOMINIC BREAZEALE
“It’s a pleasure to be here. It’s an honor to be on a stage like this with Deontay Wilder. I got some fireworks coming as well. I’m planning to stop the show early.”
CHARLES MARTIN
“I’m coming to bring fireworks on Saturday night and to let you know what a superstar looks like. Thank you for coming out and I’m looking forward to putting on a show.”
JAY DEAS, Wilder’s Trainer
“It’s great to be here. I’m looking around the room and I see a lot of phenomenal fighters who are going to be on this undercard. You don’t want to be late because you want to see all of these guys.
“This is going to be a great heavyweight title fight. Scouting a guy like Johann Duhaupas is not easy. He’s big and strong with a great record. He’s never been stopped. He’s tough, determined and ready for the challenge.
“If anyone is looking past Duhaupas, it’s not us. We’ve been focused on him since day one. This is the biggest challenge of Deontay Wilder’s career. Deontay knows what a challenge this is.
“We had 12 sparring partners come into camp, which is more than we’ve ever had. That’s because we know what a big event and challenge this is. We’re not looking past anybody.
“This is one of the best camps we’ve ever had. We’re in the gym day in and day out. That’s where the real work is done. You’ll see it all pay-off on Saturday night.”
LOU DIBELLA, President of DiBella Entertainment
“It’s amazing to see how much excitement there is here for Deontay. He is the finest young athlete that we have in the sport. On Saturday night you’ll be able to see him in action for the third time this year, which is an amazing thing.
“Deontay fighting this often proves that he is dedicated to his craft and to improving. He’s already one of the best heavyweights in the world today and he’s still a work in progress.
“To put on gloves for the first time at 21 and to win a Bronze a couple of years later and win a world title while still in his twenties, it’s tremendous. What he can do between now and 39, will be truly special.
“Having Deontay fighting on free television is a big deal. NBC primetime is a big deal. The heavyweight division has suffered some decline. I’ve watched Muhammad Ali fight on free television. Some of the greatest of all time developed on free television.
“I’m so excited about a lot of people getting the chance to see this young, charismatic champion fight on free television.”
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For more information, visit www.premierboxingchampions.com www.nbcsports.com/boxing,www.alabamatitlefight.com and www.dbe1.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @LouDiBella, @BronzeBomber and @NBCSports and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions,www.facebook.com/NBCSports and www.facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment. Highlights available to embed at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions.
boxing, NBC, Premier Boxing Champions

PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON NBC DEONTAY WILDER VS. JOHANN DUHAUPAS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES

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Click HERE For Photos
Photo Credit: Natalie Mussafer
Birmingham, AL (September 24) – Just days away from the heavyweight main event showdown between Deontay Wilder and Johann Duhaupas, fighters featured on this Saturday’s fight card from Legacy Arena in Birmingham participated in a media workout Wednesday to officially kickoff fight week. The NBC telecast begins at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT.
 
In the co-feature, 2012 U.S. Olympian and undefeated heavyweight prospect Dominic “Trouble” Breazeale will enter the ring against the crafty “Big” Fred Kassi in a 10-round heavyweight showdown in the co-main event.
Below please find what the fighters had to say:
 
Deontay Wilder:
“I’m just ready to fight. Anybody can be knocked out. It just takes the right amount of time and patience. You have to set up for it. Some guys can take punches better than others, but I don’t think he’s faced any guy with the charisma that I bring to the ring.
“I don’t look at video or any of that stuff. I like to adjust when I get into the ring. It get’s me involved mentally and I can show off my IQ in the ring. I can’t wait for that bell to ring.
“When you talk about the heavyweight division, all of the guys and big and strong. You have to respect each fighter. At the end of the day, the records don’t matter. It’s about who’s the toughest, who’s the smartest and whose the most motivated in the ring.
“For all of my fights I’ve been gaining more experience. I knew I could go rounds and take punches even though people didn’t think I could. With this fight, it’s a new style and a new opponent, so I might have to bring out something I haven’t had to in my career.
“Each and every time I fight it’s a learning experience. Inside the ring and outside. I’m a busy champion. I want to be the biggest name around. I’m the right man for the job.
“I love this sport. I’m married to this sport and I’m not going anywhere. My hand is stronger than it was before my last fight and I look forward to putting it to the test.”
 
 
Johann Duhaupas:
“I’m very confident in myself and solid in my training. I have great confidence in all of the work that I have put in.
“Deontay’s a great fighter that hits very hard. I know that we’re in his neighborhood and that puts extra pressure on the fight. Either way, it’s a world title fight. Doesn’t make a difference if it’s in his backyard or mine.
“I’m not the first guy he asked to fight. Several refused before me but I’m the one who accepted the fight.
“We’ve got a great strategy in place. I have 15 years of experience. He’s a wonderful adversary, but like us all, he has weaknesses that I can expose.
“It’s been an honor to come to the United States. I feel like I’m in the movies that I used to watch as a child. I really appreciate this country.
“Height is always an issue when facing a taller guy, but it will be up to me to take care of that. I’ve fought several guys taller than me and I’ll be ready.
“I’m confident in myself and I’ll be equally as confident in the ring. I’m ready to deliver the knockout.”
Dominic Breazeale:
“A win in a small town is great. A win in a huge town is great. A win on national television is amazing. I couldn’t ask for anything better. I’m looking for the knockout on Saturday night.
“This is a great experience for me. I’m trying to design my own road map to the world title. Deontay and I have taken different paths, but I know eventually we will be fighting for the same belt.
“PBC is doing some great things and it’s great to be back in this position. It’s phenomenal. These are the things you dream about when you’re a kid. I’m glad to be on this huge stage.
“I’m an aggressive, boxer-slugger type of fighter. I’m always looking for that big punch. When I land it, the lights go out.
“Last fight I got hit with some shots I shouldn’t have taken. This time I want to be more sound defensively. I’ve worked on my jab a lot and I want to establish that.
“Slugging is the only way I know how [to fight]. I never want to go the distance. Fans want to see someone get hurt. I’m in the best shape of my life.”
Fred Kassi
“I don’t know too much about Breazeale. After the fight, I can rank how good he is right now.
“I just have to be smart in there. I have to let him make a mistake and counter those mistakes.
“It’s going to be a great fight because I always come to fight. I’ve come up short a couple of times but I am coming here to win!”
 Jay Deas, Wilder’s Trainer:
“We’re going to keep doing what we’re doing. Deontay is fighting at a pace that has never been done before. No heavyweight champion has ever fought as frequently as Deontay Wilder is fighting. He’s fought three times in nine months.
“The possible fights with Klitschko, Tyson Fury and Alexander Povetkin take time to get done. While those are coming together, we’re fighting different guys. These guys here come to win. This guy can be an instant millionaire in one night.
“We work day in and day out. I’ve been there with Deontay since his first day in the gym in 2005. We had a plan, we stuck to the plan and it turned out to be the right plan.
“Deontay is the hardest worker in the game today. American has been wanting a heavyweight that is charismatic, energetic, wants to fight often, has a knockout punch, has the looks and everything that the heavyweight champ should have. He’s the man for the job.
“Deontay is never out of shape. We put a heart monitor on him and that thing does not lie. It will show you that Deontay is in shape and that’s why we are always ready to fight.
“Without Duhaupas there is no Klitschko, there is no Fury and there is no Povetkin, period. We’re gunning for the biggest opportunities possible but it starts on Saturday night.
“In the heavyweight division, anybody on the right night can be champion. That’s why it’s our job to make sure Deontay is ready mentally and physically. We know he’s ready.”
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Tickets for the event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Bruno Event Team, start at only $25 and are on sale now. For Tickets please visit www.alabamatitlefight.com.
For more information, visit www.premierboxingchampions.com www.nbcsports.com/boxing,www.alabamatitlefight.com and www.dbe1.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @LouDiBella, @BronzeBomber and @NBCSports and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/NBCSports and www.facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment. For video clips go to www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions.
boxing, NBC, Premier Boxing Champions

TELEVISED BOUT AGAINST FRED KASSI BUMPED TO SEPTEMBER 26TH

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Upland, California (September 16, 2015) – In a change of events a month prior to his scheduled main-event bout on October 13th, top

U.S. heavyweight prospect Dominic “Trouble” Breazeale (15-0, 14 KO’s) will now be returning to the ring on the Premier Boxing Champions series on September 26th on prime time television.  Breazeale, who opened up the Premier Boxing Champions Series (PBC) this past June, will be the co-main event on the Wilder-Duhaupas card in Birmingham, Alabama.
The 2012 U.S. Olympian will still face Cameroon native Fred Kassi (18-3-1, 10 KO’s) in a scheduled 10-round bout.  Breazeale, who has been training hard in camp is excited about the opportunity and is truly looking forward to this upcoming bout.

Photo c/o Peter Politanoff
Photo c/o Peter Politanoff

“When I received the call from my adviser Al Haymon this past week asking me if I was open to bumping up my bout to the 26th, I was all for it.  To be able to fight on prime time television on NBC is a blessing.  I remember speaking with my grandmother before my last bout who doesn’t have cable and she was able to see me last time on regular television.  It means a lot to me that she is able to watch me again.”

“I am also looking forward to this bout as it is headlined by Deontay Wilder.  It’s no secret that I am gunning for him and I want that championship belt.  I want to be the heavyweight champion of the world and this televised bout is a great opportunity to showcase my skills while gaining fans and will put me in that position for a shot at the title.  I want to send a message that I’m coming for those belts”, said Breazeale.
“Here Comes Trouble“
 
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