WBO Middleweight Champion Hammer Takes on Fellow Middleweight Champion Claressa Shields for Undisputed Middleweight Championship Saturday, 四月 13 住在Showtime® from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City
大西洋城, N.J. (四月 5, 2019) – Before she arrived in New York Thursday for the final part of her training camp, WBO中量級世界冠軍 克里斯蒂娜·哈默shared her thoughts on her showdown for the Undisputed Middleweight Championship against WBA, WBC and IBF Middleweight ChampionClaressa盾 週六日 13 live on SHOWTIME from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J.
Germany’s Hammer has held a middleweight world title since 2010, defending it numerous times including in her U.S. debut last June on SHOWTIME in which she defeated Tori Nelson. Now she looks to stamp her name in the history books in this matchup against Shields that many are calling the most significant fight in women’s boxing history.
門票現場活動, 這是由的Salita促銷推廣, 售價為 $150, $100, $55 和 $35 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster and atboardwalkhall.com.
Here are highlights of what Hammer had to say as we head into fight week for this historic event:
How excited are you about fighting in the U.S.?
克里斯蒂娜·哈默: “I’m really excited about it because this is a very big fight. I can’t wait to get there, step into the ring and put on a great performance.”
這是什麼戰鬥對你意味著什麼?
CH: “This is going to be the biggest women’s fight in history. 我們都是冠軍, she has Olympic gold medals and other accolades, so with all of that combined, it’s going to be a game changer for our sport.”
What do you need to do to win?
CH: “I’m a long time champion and I know what to do in the ring. I know I have the skills to beat her. I have great foot work and my goal is to beat her badly.”
What do you think of Claressa inside and outside of the ring?
CH: “Claressa has obviously accomplished a lot going back to the Olympics. This is a big step for her and I think it’s going to be a challenge for her. As a person, she’s just my opponent, that’s all.”
Can you describe your style of fighting and what fans can expect on April 13?
CH: “I’m tall for my division so I use my reach. I have great footwork and technique and power and I want to show off all those skills. I’m going to show that Christina Hammer is a great champion. I like to play with my opponent, and when the moment is right, I beat her down.”
Can you talk about your experiences as a fashion model and why that’s important to you?
CH: “I like modeling because it’s a different part of me. You can be more feminine and athletic. I did my first shoot three years ago and I had never done anything like that. I’ve worked on my skills there too.
“To be a model is an easy job, it just gives me confidence. Being a fighter is hard. You have to give everything, because in the ring you can’t run away. You have to fight and defeat someone.”
Would you ever want to compete in another sport?
CH: “我不知道. Boxing is the best sport to me. It’s my passion. I give everything to the sport and my dream now is to be successful in America.”
Is there anyone in boxing history you’d have loved to fight?
CH: “Laila Ali was a great champion and If I fought her that would be a great fight.”
Do you see women’s boxing as a sport on the rise?
CH: “是的, it’s really grown in recent years. There are more fights on big platforms for us and I think this is just the start.”
Would you recommend for other women to go into boxing?
CH: “Boxing is a great sport. You need technique, intelligence and it makes you feel more confident. If something happens, you can take care of yourself. It’s the best workout and I suggest it to everyone.”
MIAMI(四月 4, 2019) – WBA, WBC and IBF Middleweight World ChampionClaressa盾hosted a media workout at 5日Street Gym in Miami Thursday as she nears her showdown against WBO Middleweight World Champion克里斯蒂娜·哈默for the undisputed middleweight world championship Saturday April 13 live on SHOWTIME from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J.
The two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Shields and unbeaten Hammer will look to become the sixth fighter in history to unify all four major world titles in the main event of a SHOWTIME BOXING: 特別版本 (9 P.M. ET / PT).
門票現場活動, 這是由的Salita促銷推廣, 售價為 $150, $100, $55 和 $35 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster and atboardwalkhall.com.
Shields has been training in Florida for the last week with her trainer John David Jackson, after spending the previous five weeks at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado. Here is what Shields had to say Thursday:
Claressa盾
“Christina doesn’t know what’s coming for her. I’m going to break that Hammer in half.
“When we’re in there, it’s about who punches harder. 這是一個真正的戰鬥. Just because she has height, doesn’t mean she’s going to dictate what happens. She’s going to have to do a lot to keep me off of her.
“I have two Olympic Gold Medals, three belts and more coming. I’ll have all the titles at the end of the night on April 13.
“I work hard, really hard. If I was a man, I would probably be one of the most famous boxers out there. There is a gender gap. We all know it. I’m working towards changing that. We work hard, we get less money and less recognition, but the world is changing. We are changing it.
“Hammer has been talking smack but I’m not worried about her. I’m just ready for a fight. She talks about a lot of stuff that has nothing to do with boxing. I’m waiting for her to say she’s going to hit me with an uppercut or something, but it’s more of the same.
“Being here in Florida to finish up camp has really been ideal. I’ve still been working extremely hard, but here I have a little extra space and sunshine. It was time for some new scenery in camp and I think this was the perfect move to take me into fight week.
“I’ve been working on my ‘Ali shuffle,’ this gym inspired me. Don’t be surprised if you see me break it out during the fight. I’ve got some tricks up my sleeve. At the press conference there will be some surprises too — I have an outfit picked that is going to steal the show.”
“This fight is long overdue and I’m just glad I’m going to get my chance to show her what a real champion is. Someone is going down on April 13 and I promise it’s not going to be me.
“People can say they’re not paying attention to you and not studying you, but they’re lying. I’m glad she’s looking at me closely though. Hammer flew one of my friends out there to be a sparring partner, not even knowing that she hasn’t sparred me in years and knows nothing about me. It makes me know I’m on her mind. She can spar with Ann Wolfe and she still isn’t going to beat me.”
UNBEATEN RISING HEAVYWEIGHTS JERMAINE FRANKLIN & OTTO WALLIN TALK UPCOMING BOUTS & ROAD TO HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Franklin Battles Rydell Booker While Wallin Faces Nick Kisner Live on SHOWTIME® 星期六, 四月 13 Leading Up to Claressa Shields vs. Christina Hammer Main Event from Boardwalk Hall 在大西洋城, N.J.
大西洋城, N.J. (四月 3, 2019) – Unbeaten rising heavyweight contenders杰梅因·富蘭克林 和 奧托沃林 will be looking to make a splash and announce themselves in the heavyweight division when they step in for separate bouts live on SHOWTIME Saturday, 四月 13 from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.
欣欣拳擊: SPECIAL EDITION tripleheader will air beginning at 9 P.M. ET/PT and is headlined by Claressa Shields battling Christina Hammer for the undisputed women’s middleweight championship.
Franklin will face Rydell Booker while Wallin takes on Nick Kisner in a pair of 10-round attractions leading up to the main event. For both Franklin and Wallin, they see April 13 as a step towards their larger goals.
“Booker is in the way of where I’m eventually trying to be,” 富蘭克林說：. “I’m part of that next generation of heavyweights and I’m working hard to end up as the heavyweight champion when the dust settles. I always find a way to win and I’m going to show it on April 13.”
“Coming to the U.S. for the second part of my career is very exciting,” said Wallin. “I’ve accomplished a lot in my career in Europe but this is a new beginning. This is the moment I’ve been dreaming of since I first laced up mitts and I can’t wait to introduce myself to the fans here.”
A 25-year-old from Saginaw, 密歇根, Franklin hopes to show that he’s primed to become the next American heavyweight champion, and is ready to take the mantle from current WBC titlist Deontay Wilder and the long line of American heavyweight champions that came before him.
“I’m going to raise the competition amongst the heavyweights,” 富蘭克林說：. “The division is definitely back on the map and I’m planning on having a hand in making it must-watch TV once again. America needs another face in the heavyweight division and that’s going to be me.
“I already believe that I am the best heavyweight in the world. There are a lot of big, strong heavyweights, but I’m a balanced athlete, which makes me different. 我很堅強, 快, athletic and getting better with each fight.”
Although his native Sweden is not known for boxing, Wallin’s home country has previously produced a heavyweight champion in Ingemar Johansson, who famously stopped Floyd Patterson in their first fight at Yankee Stadium in 1959. After defeating fellow Swedish heavyweight Adrian Granat in his last fight, Wallin decided it was time to fight in the U.S., following previous training camps in New York with trainer Joey Gamache.
“Training here in New York brings me a great energy and it shows in my performance,” said Wallin. “It’s the center of the world, and while I’m fully focused on training, I feed off the energy of the city.
“Ingemar Johansson is of course a big inspiration for me. When he came to the U.S. and beat Floyd Patterson, he was the baddest man on the planet. I’m looking to take that mantle and become a hero for young Swedish boxers, just like he has been for me.”
In addition to being Wallin’s U.S. 登場, the unbeaten heavyweights will make their first appearances on SHOWTIME and it will be Franklin’s first time fighting in the northeast. They each hope to show off their respective talents and are prepared for what comes with the increased platform.
“This is a great chance for me to showcase my skills, but I still treat it like just another fight,” 富蘭克林說：. “I’m going to adapt to my opponent and expose his weaknesses. I’m always improving because once you think you know it all, that’s when you find out you know nothing.”
“I’m just a kid from a small town in Sweden and I’ve worked hard to get to this point,” said Wallin. “Training here in the U.S. and fighting here is going to help me put on the best performance of my career. The fun begins on April 13 and I’m not stopping until I am champion.”
Both recently signed with Dmitriy Salita’s Salita Promotions and on April 13 will begin a year that could leave each fighter on the precipice of a title shot.
“四月 13 two of the best heavyweight in the world, one from the U.S., one from Sweden, will both have a chance to make a claim that they are ready to challenge for the heavyweight title,” 所述字.
“Jermaine Franklin is by far the best American heavyweight prospect who is soon to be a contender and a champion. He will have a great opportunity to showcase his skills and worth against the experienced, hungry and accomplished Rydell Booker.
“Boxing is a sport of individual stories and Otto Wallin is a great example of that. A top-rated heavyweight from a small town in Sweden, he is showing that dreams, combined with hard work, can come true. He is one of the best heavyweight contenders from Europe and on April 13 he will show that he belongs with the elite in the U.S.”
With this opportunity to announce themselves in the resurgent heavyweight division, Franklin and Wallin are keyed for eye-opening performances next Saturday.
“My ultimate goal is to become world champion and I believe right now I’m on the right path,” said Wallin, 誰是排名第. 5 by the IBF and WBA. “I had good years fighting in Europe, but now is the time for me to go to the next level. I can’t wait to show everyone what I’m all about and give the fans great fights.”
“I’m planning to be a major force in the heavyweight division by the end of the year,” 富蘭克林說：. “It’s my coming out party. I feel like my dreams are going to come true. I’m going to show everyone who I am: the best new heavyweight in the world.”
門票現場活動, 這是由的Salita促銷推廣, 售價為 $150, $100, $55 和 $35 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster and atboardwalkhall.com.
Viktor Postol And France’s Mohamed Mimoune Battle in 140-Pound Title Eliminator Plus Rising Heavyweight Sensation Efe Ajagba Meets Once-Beaten Michael Wallisch onSHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®Tripleheader
Presented by Premier Boxing Champions from The Chelsea Inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
Tickets on Sale Monday, 四月 1!
LAS VEGAS – (三月 29, 2019) – 前輕量級世界冠軍 羅伯特·JR復活節.and former two-division championRances繆 will meet for the vacant WBA Lightweight Title on Saturday, 四月 27 從拉斯維加斯The Cosmopolitan酒店的切爾西裡面住在Showtime和總理拳擊冠軍呈現.
SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING coverage begins at 10 P.M. ET /下午7時. PT也將採用前超輕量級冠軍 維克多·Postol 以法國的穆罕默德•米穆in a WBC super lightweight title eliminator, 而上升的重量級轟動 卡通Ajagba looks to remain unbeaten against once-beaten German邁克爾Wallisch 在10輪的重量級景點.
Easter vs. Barthelemy pits two highly skilled and explosive former 135-pound champions against each other as they look to grab a title and vault themselves back into the top echelon of the lightweight division.
Easter will return to the ring for the first time since losing his IBF title in a unification showdown with WBC Champion and pound-for-pound great Mikey Garcia last July on SHOWTIME. Barthelemy is undefeated at 135 pounds and returns to the lightweight division for his second fight since losing a 140-pound title rematch to Kiryl Relikh last March on SHOWTIME.
“Two former champions looking to reclaim their championship status speaks for itself in terms of the action and will to win that Easter and Barthelemy will bring on April 27,” 倫納德說Ellerbe, 梅威瑟促銷的CEO. “Both guys have already proven that they have what it takes to take care of business at this level. The eliminator bout, with Postol bringing his experience and Mohamed looking to take advantage of the opportunity, is a great lead-in to the main event attraction. 更多, Efe Ajagba will bring his A+ game in pursuit of a victory over Michael Wallisch. The fans in attendance at the Cosmopolitanhere in Las Vegas, and tuning in on SHOWTIME, are in for a treat.”
“Easter vs. Barthelemy is a true 50-50 fight that will end with one of these fighters leaving the ring with one of the top spots in the lightweight division,” 說湯姆·布朗, TGB促銷總統. “Both are former world champions at lightweight and possess the styles and attributes that should make this an action-packed match. Combined with a very competitive title eliminator between Viktor Postol and Mohamed Mimoune, plus the can’t-miss punching power of Efe Ajagba, this is going to be a dramatic night on SHOWTIME and at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas.”
The 28-year-old Easter (21-1, 14 科斯) won the IBF Lightweight Championship in 2016 by edging an exciting split-decision against then-unbeaten and current IBF titleholder Richard Commey. After two successful title defenses in his hometown of Toledo, 俄亥俄, Easter defeated former champion Javier Fortuna by decision in a January 2018 fight in SHOWTIME.
That victory set up a unification with WBC champion Mikey Garcia, in which Easter survived an early knockdown to push Garcia the full 12 rounds before coming up short on the scorecards. At 5-foot-11, Easter has continued to show the combination of size, skill and athleticism that made him a highly regarded prospect following an amateur career that featured a spot as an alternate on the 2012 中美. 奧運隊.
“I’ve wanted to fight Barthelemy since he had the lightweight title and vacated it, and now I have the chance,” 說復活節. “He has an awkward style and I’m up for that challenge. I am still coming in as the taller fighter with a reach advantage and I’ll use it to make this fight go how I want it to. He is a former world champion and he is coming to bring it just like I am.”
A decorated Cuban amateur who hails from a boxing family that includes his older brother, Olympic Gold Medalist Yan, and younger brother, unbeaten featherweight Leduan, Rances繆 (27-1, 14 科斯) will return to lightweight to vie against one of the best fighters in the division. The 32-year-old now trains in Las Vegas and previously captured a 135-pound belt by defeating Denis Shafikov in December 2015.
Barthelemy won a 130-pound championship by defeating Argenis Mendez in 2014 and attempted to become the first Cuban three-division champion when he moved up to 140-pounds for his first fight against Relikh, a title eliminator that he won by decision. After dropping the rematch to Relikh in a vacant title fight on SHOWTIME, Barthelemy returned to the ring in December and stopped Robert Frankel.
“I’m looking forward to a great fight against Robert Easter Jr,” 說繆. “I know I have what it takes to beat him and capture another title and become a three-time world champ. My best performances have come at 135 英鎊. Both of us are former world champions who are hungry and will give the fans a sensational night of boxing. I’ve never lost at lightweight and that will continue on April 27. Don’t miss this fight on SHOWTIME. It’s now or never!”
Originally from Ukraine, but now fighting out of Los Angeles, Postol (30-2, 12 科斯) previously earned a 140-pound world title by knocking out Lucas Matthysse in 2015. The 35-year-old dropped the title in a unification showdown with Terence Crawford in 2016 before bouncing back by defeating then unbeaten Jamshidbek Najmiddinov. Last June he dropped a decision to unbeaten contender Josh Taylor and most recently he defeated Siar Ozgul in November.
The 31-year-old Mimoune (21-2, 2 科斯) has fought professionally since 2010 並且將他的U.S. debut against Postol on April 27. Representing Haute-Garonne, 法國, 他是不敗在他的最後 10 fights dating back to 2014. His last five victories have come in 12-round decisions, including two last year over then unbeaten Emiliano Dominguez and most recently against Franck Petitjean.
尼日利亞Ajagba (9-0, 8 科斯) gained notoriety last August 24 當他的對手, 柯蒂斯·哈珀, 走出環的觸摸手套之後開始第一輪. 24歲的, 2016 Nigerian Olympian won the fight without throwing a punch as Harper was disqualified. In his last fight Ajagba, who lives in Stafford, Texas and trains with Ronnie Shields, defeated his toughest competition to date by stopping longtime contender Amir Mansour after two rounds.
戰鬥從慕尼黑, 德國, Wallisch (19-1, 12 科斯) 贏得了他的第一個 19 在成為職業球員後，親打架 2010, including a German heavyweight title-winning performance in 2013 against Alexander Kahl. The 33-year-old fought three times last year, picking up two knockout victories before losing to Christian Hammer in December.
布魯克林 (三月 19, 2019) – WBC重量級冠軍 Deontay “青銅轟炸機” 懷爾德 和強制性的挑戰者 多米尼克 “麻煩” BREAZEALE went face-to-face Tuesday at a heated press conference to officially announce their heavyweight title showdown taking place Saturday, 五月 18 住在Showtime巴克萊中心, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™ and presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
Tickets for this BombZquad event go on sale Friday, 三月 22 在 10 A.M. ET，可在購買 ticketmaster.com, barclayscenter.com, 或致電 800-745-3000. 週六開始, 三月 23 在 12 P.M. AND, tickets can be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. 集團折扣可致電844-BKLYN-GP.
Here is what the press conference participants had to say Tuesday from Barclays Center:
Deontay懷爾德
“It’s a pleasure to be back here in Brooklyn. Barclays Center is very close to my heart. I’ve been here so many times and I have a real connection to this arena. I’ve had some of my most memorable moments in the ring here.
“It’s always great to get a mandatory out of the way. They’re like flies buzzing in my ear. I just want to get them out of the way so I can do great things for the heavyweight division. 我想要一個冠軍, one face, one name, but you need a lot of cooperation to make that happen.
“I want to prove to the world that I’m the best. That’s what I believe in my heart. Until someone proves me wrong, I will continue to believe that. Breazeale is the next man in line. 我不能等待這一個.
“I’m just going to show everyone on May 18. The way I feel right now, the fight could be this week. The champion must always be ready for whatever a challenger can bring.
“I hope he’s training his hardest. I’m glad he has Virgil Hunter on his side to show him something new. Every man I’ve faced; they’ve landed on the canvas. I’m going to continue to do that on May 18.
“No man who gets in the ring will be able to defeat Deontay Wilder. I hold the keys to the heavyweight division. No fighter is doing what I’m doing. I’m trying to give the fans something they’ve never seen before.
“Enjoy this one, because it’s going to be a massacre. 五月 18 will be a beautiful day for me and a beautiful day to see what I’m planning to do for the sport of boxing.”
多米尼克BREAZEALE
“I’m super excited for this. I’ve been waiting over a year and a half for a shot at this title. I’ve got three knockouts here at Barclays Center and I can’t wait for another.
“I’m a great fighter but there are always things to be learned. I’ve learned a lot already with Virgil Hunter. I bring something that everyone wants to see from heavyweights, and that’s trouble. I’m going to bring pressure and action.
“I’m sick of seeing this guy walking around with his belt. I’m going to put him down. People are going to be rising to their feet when I knock him down.
“I’m so excited to get this fight. I’ve been on Deontay’s undercards and I steal the show every time. Deontay does nothing right in the ring. He looks like a circus-act. All he does is talk. But there’s nothing he can say on May 18.
“Deontay loves to hear his own voice. All he does is talk and talk. It’s time to get in the ring. Nobody can get in there and save him. It’s just me and him. Leather on leather. We’ll see who lands first. Hopefully he gets off the canvas.”
VIRGIL HUNTER, Breazeale’s Trainer
“It’s a pleasure to be here at Barclays Center for a heavyweight championship fight. We have a monumental task to try to overcome. Dominic and I connected last month and after a few workouts, we saw we had a good fit and an understanding of what needs to be done.
“Dominic works hard, he’s very determined and he knows that this is his opportunity and he can’t let it slip away from him. He also knows the risk at hand. We’re looking forward to May 18.”
STEPHEN ESPINOZA, 體育總裁 & 事件編程, 欣欣網絡公司.
“We are thrilled to be bringing you Deontay Wilder vs. Dominic Breazeale on SHOWTIME. It would be an understatement to say that there has been a lot of speculation regarding Deontay’s future. We’re proud to have him on SHOWTIME. It was critical for Deontay, for the sport and his fans, that this fight be available not on pay-per-view, but on SHOWTIME. Because of his insistence, that’s the primary reason we’re standing here today.
“SHOWTIME is where this fight belongs. We’re the home of the biggest fights and best talents, month in and month out. This is where a heavyweight title fight belongs. This will be Deontay’s 12日appearance on SHOWTIME and or SHOWTIME PPV and we’ve built something special.
“Recently ESPN named its World Fame 100, which lists the most talked about athletes in the world. Deontay is ranked 34, two slots behind Tom Brady and higher than any other active boxer in the sport. He’s a bonafide superstar, there is no question.
“Dominic Breazeale is big, 強, experienced and powerful. Above all, he’s motivated. It’s no secret that there is a personal rivalry between these two fighters. This will not be a friendly promotion. There is genuine animosity. This is a premium fight and this is the heavyweight championship on May 18 live on SHOWTIME.”
From the projects to owning boxing’s ultimate crown
科羅拉多斯普林斯, 膝部. (三月 12, 2019) – From the projects to owning arguably the most respected individual title in sports, 約翰· “該Quietman” 魯伊斯remains the only Latino to capture the coveted world heavyweight title.
魯伊斯, 47, is a proud Puerto-Rican American boxer who grew-up in a Chelsea, 馬薩諸塞州. The two-time World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight champion, defeated USA Boxing Alumni Association Hall of Famer霍利菲爾德in the second of their three title fights, to secure for the first time, the world heavyweight crown.
一個裝飾的業餘拳擊手, Ruiz compiled a 50-5 記錄, similar to his final pro record of 44-9-1 (30 科斯) 間 1992-2010, including gold- medal performances at the All-New England Championships, USA Boxing National Championships and the Los Angeles Olympic Festival, which elevated him to the No. 1 light heavyweight position in the United States ratings.
Ruiz was also an outstanding all-around athlete at Chelsea High, particularly in football, in which he was an all-star. He started boxing at the age of seven, eventually developing his skills at the Somerville Boxing Club.
“Boxing was the only sport I figured I’d have a good chance of succeeding,” 魯伊斯 (pictured here on far left) explained why he pursued boxing as opposed to football or another team sport. “The other sports you had to go to college, and I didn’t have the grades.”
Ruiz never looked back and no boxer ever got more out of their God-given skills than him. After winning his first tournament (PAL in New Jersey), he became part of the USA Team that traveled to Sweden to compete in a dual-meet.
“Outside of Puerto Rico (he lived there for 6-7 years in his early youth),” Ruiz remembered fondly. “I had never traveled outside of the United States. USA Boxing gave me an opportunity to travel there, 澳大利亞, Italy and all over the United States. Even more than how those experiences prepared me for the pro ranks, it gave me a taste of life experience, traveling to places I never would have been able to go to on my own. Amateur boxing also gave me structure and confidence in myself for when I turned pro. I also met so many different people, fighters and coaches, from all over the world.”
In addition to his aforementioned victory at the Los Angles Olympic Festival, which qualified him as a Team USA member to compete in the World Championships in Australia (完 6日 在世界上), perhaps the highlight of his amateur career was defeatingTorsten May, 該 1992 Olympic gold medal winner from Germany, at a dual meet in Florida.
“My association with John goes back to 1990,” 額外 Al Valenti, USA Boxing Special Projects Consultant. “I was thrilled that a local kid was honing his skills in the boxing ring. John made an incredible impact on the National Amateur boxing scene in the early nineties; making it all the way to the Olympic Trials in Worcester (嘛). Having been involved in the trials was extra special for me because John was such a great competitor and good kid. Boxing history will have a place for John Ruiz, not many survived 36 rounds with Evander. Being the first Latino World Heavyweight Champion was quite an accomplishment for “該Quietman”.
Ruiz turned pro August 20, 1992, winning a four-round unanimous decision over Kevin Parker. During his pro career, he defeated top contemporary names such as Holyfield,James Thunder, Jerry Ballard, Fernely Felix, Kirk Johnson, FRES奧肯, Andrew Golota 和 賈米爾McCline.
History was made March 3, 2013 在拉斯維加斯, when he became only the second fighter to drop Holyfield en route to his WBA title-winning fight by way of a 12-round unanimous decision, earning him instant notoriety as the first Latino to hold the coveted world heavyweight title belt.
John Ruiz met President George W. Bush in the White House after becoming the first Latino to become world heavyweight boxing champion (Picture courtesy of the Boston Herald)
“I’m very proud to have accomplished that,” 他繼續, “but my main goal was to provide for my family and I always maintained that goal. Most fighters don’t succeed, 但在這一天結束, that’s what pushed me. I don’t really think about being the only Latino to win the world heavyweight title, 但, when I hear people talk about it today, 我想, wow, I’m still the only Latino to do that.”
Several years ago, Ruiz opened a gym (Quietman體育健身) in Medford, 嘛, not too far from where he grew up in Chelsea and trained in Somerville. It has been a registered club member by USA Boxing since 2012, 但, 更重要的是, it’s Ruiz’ way of giving back to amateur boxing.
“I felt there was a need to help more kids and give them an opportunity to get out of the house and do something productive and fun,” Ruiz commented. “They all have a chance to work on self confidence and one could possibly become world champion. I feel obligated to help kids because I remember years ago when I was in the same position. They need guidance. If I didn’t have all the support I did growing up, I wouldn’t have turned out the way I did. I want to help kids understand how to accomplishment their goals.”
今天, John lives in Palm City, 佛羅里達. He’s a correctional officer for the Martin County Sheriff Department. “Winning the world title twice as a pro was awesome,” Ruiz concluded, “but I definitely enjoyed the amateurs more than the pros, even though I would have loved to have represented the USA in the Olympics. USA Boxing opened up my mind to different things, taking me off the streets of Chelsea to made me feel……special.”
John Ruiz has always preached, “Follow Your Dreams!” and he’s still doing that today.
波特蘭, 緬因 (三月 11, 2019) - 新英格蘭戰鬥 (NEF) heavyweight ‘Rasquatch’ ‘The Jamaican Shamrock’ Ras Hylton (3-2) had a mixed bag of a mixed martial arts (MMA) run in 2018. Hylton recently joined host Jason Floyd onThe MMA Reportpodcast to discuss the ups-and-downs of the last year and his goals for 2019.
After losing a fight in New York last May, Hylton rebounded with a beautiful knockout victory over longtime MMA veteran Eric Bedard (6-8) in Rhode Island last August. The win put Hylton in the position to fight Yorgan De Castro for the inaugural NEF Cruiserweight title, a 225-pound division that Hylton has been championing for the widespread adoption of in MMA. De Castro and Hylton shared a wild two-and-a-half minutes in the cage before De Castro ultimately knocked out Hylton to win the title.
“I was trying to change things up and, 你知道, it’s kind of like playing with a chemistry set for the first time,” Hylton said in describing his 2018. “You get a bunch of ingredients, and elements, and chemicals in front of you and some you’re familiar with and some you’ve got to learn and tinker with some before you can really hone down what it’s going for.”
A lifelong martial artist, Hylton credits his father for putting him on the path that lead to his eventual career choice as a professional fighter.
“Ever since I started learning how to box a little bit with my dad when I was a kid, I’ve always been fascinated with fighting in general,” Hylton told Floyd. “He never really would have wanted me to be a fighter, but he put a bug in and I never really let go, so it was just the next logical evolution of my learning was getting in there and testing it out in an environment that supports growth and change. 所以, it’s been a great learning experience. I’ve met a lot of great people and had a lot of fun doing it.”
It’s no secret to anyone that has seen Hylton compete in the cage that he prefers the standup aspect of the sport as opposed to the ground game, but when asked why he choose to pursue mixed martial arts competition over boxing, he answered without hesitation.
“The variety and the options available,” Hylton replied. “Don’t get me wrong, I completely respect boxing as a sport, but the fact that there’s so much focus on just the upper body and punches to the head and more frequently than not. 我的意思是, we’re all looking for the knockout shot, but MMA offered the opportunity to really open up and give us more of a realistic approach to one-on-one combat. I mean as long as you play fair, you get to use all the same tools and figure out how to play a different kind of game that still beats the other guys.”
Standing at 6’6”, Hylton has become known for his menacing height as much as he has for his memorable performances in the cage. However, Hylton was quick to note that his height can be both a blessing and a curse when it comes to combat.
“It definitely focuses things for both myself and my opponent,” Hylton stated. “I’ve got a body type that speaks very blatantly of what the advantages are and what the disadvantages are, so it really helps to focus the training and where’s there fewer big people than there are small people, you need some sort of way to fine tune things as quick as possible. 你知道, there’s not much of a learning curve before you start getting hurt by it.”
Hylton’s next fight is set for April 27日when he takes on Charles Penn at “NEF 38: Stormborn” in Portland, 緬因. 佩恩, who fights for Hyaston MMA, will be traveling from North Carolina for the bout.
“This has been probably the biggest question mark fight I’ve ever had,” Hylton stated. “I mean, at least with everybody who’s come before there’s been some avenue of recent information, but I mean he did bring his amateur career, 6-3, but his last fight was, what? 2013? 所以, there’s a big question mark there, there’s a big gap there, where he could have gone in any direction. So it’s kind of simplified things for me, because now I get to just stick to my plan of using 2019 to do what I have to do to be the best fighter I can be. 所以, I get to keep on at him. I don’t have the distraction of trying to figure out the other guy. It’s really played towards my mental strengths to start off this year.”
“Execution,” Hylton continued. “Execution of the game plan is what I’m really looking to stick to from here on out. I want to take this as far as I can go. I want to go up as high as I can. And I’ve been lucky with the support that I’ve got between my family and my gyms to be able to do something that really makes me feel whole. I want to pay back that investment in full and with as much interest as possible, as soon as possible. I’m in my 30’s now, got to make something happen, 你知道?”
Undefeated British sensation Joe Joyce faces Former World Champion Bermane Stiverne
Defends Commonwealth title alongside return of
Former World Champion Lee Selby on massive DeGale v Eubank Jr. 卡, LIVE on
ITV Box Office
Fast rising star makes fearless move in just
EIGHTH pro fight to fast track towards World Title
Stiverne says it will be Joyce’s nightmare when
he gets knocked out
Legendary promoter Don King promises to ‘Re
Joyce’ when Stiverne recreates McCall victory over Lewis in London
倫敦(23 一月
2019) Poxon Sports and PBC are delighted to announce that heavyweight sensation
Joe Joyce will defend his Commonwealth title in the biggest test of his
unbeaten career when he takes a gigantic leap up to confront the Former WBC
World Champion Bermane Stiverne on Saturday 23rd February at The
O2, exclusively live on ITV Box Office.
Joyce vs. Stiverne,
promoted by Poxon Sports in association with Ringstar Sports and Don King
Productions, will feature alongside the return of Former IBF World
Featherweight Champion Lee Selby as one of the chief-supporting
contests on an action-packed show, headlined with the thrilling all-British
clash between fierce rivals James DeGale and Chris Eubank Jr.
The 6ft 6in ‘Juggernaut’
from Putney, South West London, has destroyed all seven of his opponents since
turning professional in October 2017 after capturing the Silver medal at the
Rio Olympics and has singled himself out as one of the most feared talents in
the heavyweight division.
It’s a monumental test
for Joyce to be facing a former World Champion in just his eighth fight, the
rock-solid and sledge-hammer hitting Stiverne, born in Montreal, 加拿大, of
Haitian descent and based out of Las Vegas, has fought some of the biggest and
best in the division, including Deontay Wilder and Chris Arreola.
The fight has added bad
blood thrown in resulting from a sparring session between Joyce and Stiverne in
which Joyce was angered by comments from Stiverne in an interview afterwards when
he said he took Joyce to school.
Joyce said, “I had
respect for Bermane Stiverne. We sparred in Las Vegas; he said he took me to
school in an interview etc, it got ugly and it made this fight happen. I tried
to be respectful of him, but he’s rude and was having none of it. He is a
former World Champion that has gone 12 rounds with Deontay Wilder and will give
me a real challenge; but my engine and my power will be too much for him, a
fact he should be aware of!”
Joyce’s
promoter Richard Schaefer, Ringstar Sports董事長兼首席執行官, 說,
“After only seven fights Joe Joyce has become the number five ranked
Heavyweight in the world. But the spectacular way in which he has won all
of his seven fights by knockout have made him the number one fan favourite in
the Heavyweight Division. Taking on the heavy-handed Former World Champion
Stiverne shows that no challenge is too big for Joe as he continues to march
towards the Heavyweight World Championship. Simply put: Joe Joyce has
become must see TV, so make sure to tune in on February 23 or come
and watch him live at the O2 in London!”
Stiverne Dirita, “I told
my promoter Don King to get me any man on earth and I will fight for the right
to prove myself to the world. Then the phone rings, it’s Don, he tells me
Joe Joyce – a boxer with only seven bouts – agrees to meet me! ‘Seven
bouts?’. Seven fights and he has the audacity to box me? I have stopped
Chris Arreola, Ray Austin, the then undefeated Kerston Manswell – and a boxer
with seven fights wants to box me?!.’ I said to Don ‘Sign
it, take it, grab it,’ I’m ready. Seven fights – and he wants to
box me? For me it is a dream come true – but for Joyce it will be a
nightmare. I will knock out Joe Joyce and step over him to KO Anthony
Joshua. I’m primed and ready. The real Bermane Stiverne will be
there on February 23 and will knock out Joe Joyce en route to
regaining my heavyweight crown.”
Stiverne’s legendary
promoter Don King, 額外, “It is with my greatest pleasure that Don King
Productions can announce our return to Jolly Old England – the ‘Cradle of
Boxing” where my pugilistic giant – the Former Heavyweight Champion of the
World Bermane Stiverne begins his comeback at the expense of the Giant Joe
Joyce. Unfortunately, for the local fans of Joe there will no ‘re Joycing’
– as my once – and future champion Bermane Stiverne will slay Joyce just like
St. George did the dragon of old. But no matter, we will pick up the
pieces and bring back Joyce just as I have brought back and helped build many a
future together. I recall when I came here with Oliver McCall and he was
given no chance against Lennox Lewis. Then the underdog became the top dog
when Oliver KO’d the previously unbeaten champ and we went home with the
title. History will repeat itself of February 23 when Bermane
sends another undefeated Englishman to defeat. Now
retooled, resuscitated, renewed, rejuvenated and recommitted Bermane
Stiverne will resurrect his career on February 23 when the ‘Lord of
Ring” crushes the “Lord of the World” – ‘Juggernaut” Joyce
on his inexorable march to regain the heavyweight championship of the
world. Bless all British fans, God Save the Queen – but heaven help Joe
Joyce! We will see you on February 23rd.”
WBC World Heavyweight
Champion Deontay Wilder also put forward his thoughts on the
intriguing match up, 他說, “Joe Joyce will be a good test for him
(Stiverne). I’ve seen Joe Joyce before. 他是一個好戰士. Joe Joyce fought
Joe Hanks on my undercard with Tyson Fury but I didn’t get a chance to see him
fight that night. But I’m looking forward to seeing him against Stiverne.”
Richard Poxon, UK
Promoter for PBC, 說, “I’ve known Joe from his amateur days up in Sheffield.
His success at the Olympics didn’t surprise me at all. He’s transitioned well
to the pros now and is clearly in a hurry. The heavyweight division is the one
that everyone is looking at again and I fully expect Joe to be in the thick of
the action in the coming year. Taking on a former WBC World Champion in only
your eighth fight clearly shows what Joe’s ambitions are.”
Since embarking on his
pro career in his quest to become World Heavyweight Champion, the quietly
spoken Joyce has let his destructive fists do the talking in making bold
statements to make the boxing world sit up and take notice of the fast-rising
star.
在十月 2017 he
astounded critics when he choose to fight the hardened Former British title
challenger Ian Lewison, who had just extended big-punching Dillian Whyte to ten
rounds, for his pro-debut and pounded him down in eight rounds.
Then in only his fourth
fight with only 12 rounds under his belt and inside seven months of turning
pro, Joyce demolished the Commonwealth Heavyweight Champion Lenroy Thomas in
just two rounds – setting a new record by heavyweight boxer to win the
Commonwealth belt.
在他的最後一戰,
American fights fans got a brief taster of what the British star is all about
when he smashed through Joe Hanks in a round to win the WBA Continental title
at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles in making his glittering U.S debut.
Ĵ
oyce, now ranked #5 in
the world by the WBA and progressing quickly towards a World Title shot, faces
unquestionably his sternest career test to date against the vastly experienced
and equally big-hitting Las Vegas based Haitian who has knocked out 21
opponents of his 25 wins in his 29 拼事業.
Stiverne formerly held
the WBC crown for two years after defeating Chris Arreola on points in April
2013 to win the title and then in the rematch destroying him inside six rounds
in the first defence of the title in May 2014.
The rock solid Stiverne
then pushed the dynamite-punching Deontay Wilder the full twelve round distance
in the next defence of his WBC World Heavyweight title clash in January 2015.
Stiverne became the first man to take Wilder beyond who at that point had
obliterated all his opponents inside four rounds. In the rematch nearly
three years later, Stiverne stepped in at the last minute when Wilder’s original
opponent Luis Ortiz failed a drugs test and due to his inactivity was stopped
in a round.
Stiverne is now looking
to return to the elite heavyweight mix and a victory over Joyce would propel
him back into the limelight and on course towards a potential world title
opportunity.
This fight will be shown
exclusively on ITV Box Office. For further information and updates, please go
towww.itvboxoffice.com
Late last year, ITV
announced a ground-breaking new deal with Haymon Sports and Premier Boxing
Champions (PBC) to bring exclusive coverage of exciting PBC world-class boxing
events to ITV viewers and fight fans in the UK.
The unique collaboration
is the first time that Haymon Sports and PBC has partnered with a UK
broadcaster to stage boxing events regularly in the UK. The exclusive
three-year deal will guarantee a minimum of 15 televised events each year,
drawing from PBC’s unrivalled group of over 160 of the best boxers in the
world, which includes more than 60 current and former world champions in
matches staged both in the UK and the US. PBC, the sports’ pre-eminent boxing
brand, is broadcast over cable and network television in the United
States.
The world-class action
from events for the next three years will include free-to-air broadcasts on
ITV’s channels, including ITV main channel and ITV4 and ITV Hub, and will also
include pay per views on ITV’s PPV channel, ITV Box Office.
This new deal for boxing
adds to ITV Sport’s portfolio of first class events, which includes exclusive
free to air coverage of the England football team’s qualifiers for both the
European Championship and World Cup, 該 6 Nations and exclusive coverage of
the Rugby World Cup, UK horse racing, the Tour de France and the French Open.
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