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“The Final Call” Saturday, April 2, 2016 TAURON ARENA, KRAKOW, POLAND LIVE ON PAY-PER-VIEW

 
FINAL PRESSER QUOTES FROM POLAND
KRAKOW, Poland (March 31, 2016)  —  The final press conference for this Saturday’s “The Final Call” pay-per-view event, starting at 2:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. PT, was held today.  Below are fighters’ quotes.
Integrated Sports Media will distribute the card in North America for live viewing on cable, satellite andInternet pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH Network, and Vubiquity in the United States, as well as Rogers TV, Bell TV, Shaw PPV and SaskTel in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95. Please contact your local cable or satellite provider for more information. In addition, the fight is available in North America for purchase on-line at www.GFL.tv  and www.Eversport.TV (Polish commentary only), and via the FITE.TV app (or go to http://www.fite.tv/v/adamekvsmolina for more information) for both Android and iOS.
Four are scheduled to air live on PPV from Tauron Arena in Krakow, Poland. Two other fights may be shown, time permitting.
“The Final Call” is promoted in Poland by Polsat, as part of the Polsat Boxing Night series, in addition to Main Events and Don King Productions.
TOMASZ “Goral” ADAMEK:  “I’ve had a great camp, great sparring partners and a great team around me. Kuba (Chycki – Adamek’s physical coach), trainer Roger Bloodworth – these guys did a great job in the last two months. As Eric said, ‘We are not about talking what we will do, we are ready to actually do it.’ Molina likes to mix it up, likes to throw punches, and is not afraid. This has to be a great fight just because of that. There’s no what’s after the Molina fight for me. This is the fight which will decide my future. A win means I’m on track for big fights, losing means I cannot do it anymore. What I know is that for this fight I’m much better prepared than I was for both the Glazkov and Szpilka bouts. But, of course, what happens in ring will verify our words.”
 
ERIC “Drummer Boy” MOLINA:  “For the first time in my career I got 70 days to prepare; unprecedented in the heavyweight division. What do I know about Adamek? He’s a warrior and people in Poland expect great things from him because he’s a Polish boxing legend. In me, he will have a chance to fight one of the best heavyweights in the division and we all will know where we stand. I’m very confident, not only that I will win this war on Saturday, but also of being the first Mexican-American heavyweight in the future. People will get their money worth on Saturday. I can guarantee that. Adamek is highly rated by WBC and IBF, the two most active organizations in boxing. Saturday’s winner will be in the driver’s seat for great fights in the future.”
 
MICHAL CIESLAK:  “I also thought that you’re bigger. And I also hope that everything what you’re saying about how good your training camp was is the truth. I can promise you that I will be ready for everything. I’m in the best shape of my life and I will prove that on Saturday. Palacios, be ready to fight! I cannot wait anymore to put on a big show.”
 
FRANCISCO “The Wizard” PALACIOS: “He wants to treat me like a stepping stone but the problem with that is  I’m not a stepping stone for anyone. I’m a rock! You want to beat me, you have to kill me. And by the way, I thought that Cieślak is bigger. You cannot judge what I can or cannot do just because I’ve got knocked out by Kudryashov in my last fight. It means nothing. First of all, it happens in boxing and the more importantly, it has nothing to do with what I’m ready to do now with my new team and “Chill” Wilson on my side. Just watch: The Wizard Time is coming again.”
 
Main Event — Vacant IBF Inter-Continental Heavyweight Championship (12)
TOMASZ “Goral” ADAMEK (50-4, 30 KOs), Former 2-Division World Champion, Jersey City, NJ, USA
vs.
ERIC “Drummer Boy” MOLINA (24-3, 18 KOs), World Title Challenger, Raymondville, Texas, USA
Co-Feature — Cruiserweights (10)
MICHAL CIESLAK (11-0, 7 KOs), Radom, Poland
vs.
FRANCISCO “The Wizard” PALACIOS (23-3, 14 KOs), 2-Time World Title Challenger, Bayamon, Puerto Rico
Heavyweights (10)
ANDRZEJ WAWRZYK (31-1, 17 KOs), World Title Challenger, Krakow, Poland
vs.
MARCIN REKOWSKI (17-2, 14 KOs), Former Poland Heavyweight Champion, Kaliska Koscierskie, Poland
Cruiserweights (10)
MATEUSZ “Master” MASTERNAK (36-4, 26 KOs), Former European Champion, Wroclaw, Poland
vs.
ERIC “Danger” FIELDS (24-3, 16 KOs), Ardmore, Oklahoma, USA
Welterweights (10)
RAFAEL “Braveheart” JACKIEWICZ (48-14-2, 22 KOs), World Title Challenger, Minsk Mazowiecki, Poland
vs.
MICHAL SYROWATKA (13-1, 4 KOs), Elk, Poland
Female European Boxing Union Lightweight Championship (8)
EWA BRODNICKA (10-0. 2 KOs), Champion, Warsaw, Poland
vs.
ANITA TORTI (9-5, 3 KOs), Challenger, Milan, Italy
 
PPV ANNOUNCERS: English – Bob Alexander and Glen Johnson, Polish – Andrzej Kostyra/Albert Sosnowski, Mateusz Borek (host &  interviews), Przemek Saleta (on-air judge)
ADAMEK & MOLINA VIDEO PROFILES
Main Event — Vacant IBF Inter-Continental Heavyweight Championship (12)
TOMASZ “Goral” ADAMEK (50-4, 30 KOs), Former 2-Division World Champion, Jersey City, New Jersey, USA
vs.
ERIC “Drummer Boy” MOLINA (24-3, 18 KOs), World Title Challenger, Raymondville, Texas, USA
Fighter profiles courtesy of Boxing World Weekly, a brand new boxing magazine series that is being distributed worldwide by Protocol Sports Marketing
Co-Feature — Cruiserweights (10)
MICHAL CIESLAK (11-0, 7 KOs), Radom, Poland
vs.
FRANCISCO “The Wizard” PALACIOS (23-3, 14 KOs), 2-Time World Title Challenger, Bayamon, Puerto Rico
Heavyweights (10)
ANDRZEJ WAWRZYK (31-1, 17 KOs), World Title Challenger, Krakow, Poland
vs.
MARCIN REKOWSKI (17-2, 14 KOs), Former Poland Heavyweight Champion, Kaliska Koscierskie, Poland
Cruiserweights (10)
MATEUSZ “Master” MASTERNAK (36-4, 26 KOs), Former European Champion, Wroclaw, Poland
vs.
ERIC “Danger” FIELDS (24-3, 16 KOs), Ardmore, Oklahoma, USA
Welterweights (10)
RAFAEL “Braveheart” JACKIEWICZ (48-14-2, 22 KOs), World Title Challenger, Minsk Mazowiecki, Poland
vs.
MICHAL SYROWATKA (13-1, 4 KOs), Elk, Poland
Female European Boxing Union Lightweight Championship (8)
EWA BRODNICKA (10-0. 2 KOs), Champion, Warsaw, Poland
vs.
ANITA TORTI (9-5, 3 KOs), Challenger, Milan, Italy
WHEN:  Saturday, April 2, 20162:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. PT
 
WHERE:  Tauron Arena, Krakow, Poland
 
PROMOTER:  Polsat (in Poland), as part of the Polsat Boxing Night series, Main Events and Don King Productions
 
PPV:  Integrated Sports Media will distribute the card in North America on pay-per-view for live viewing on cable, satellite and Internet pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH Network, and Vubiquity in the United States, as well as Rogers TV, Bell TV, Shaw PPV and SaskTel in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95. Please contact your local cable or satellite provider for more information. In addition, the fight is available in North America for purchase on-line at www.GFL.tv  and www.Eversport.TV (Polish commentary only), and via the FITE.TV app (or go to  http://www.fite.tv/v/adamekvsmolina for more information) for both Android and iOS.
 
PPV ANNOUNCERS: English – Bob Alexander and Glen Johnson, Polish – Andrzej Kostyra/Albert Sosnowski, Mateusz Borek (host &  interviews), Przemek Saleta (on-air judge)

King’s Promotions signs former world champion Kermit Cintron

 
READING, PA (March 28, 2016)–Marshall Kauffman’s King’s Promotions is proud to announce the signing of  of former IBF Welterweight champion Kermit Cintron.
Cintron of Reading, PA has a record of 35-5-2 with 28 knockouts.
Cintron won his first twenty-four bout and established himself as one of the most feared welterweight’s in the world.
Of those twenty-four wins were stoppages over Said Ouali (7-0), Omar Davila (12-2), Ian Mackilop (14-1), Elio Ortiz (25-6) and Teddy Reid (22-5-1).
After coming up short against WBO world champion Antonio Margarito, Cintron stopped David Estrada (18-2), which set up a title opportunity against Mark Suarez.
On October 28, 2006, Cintron stopped Suarez in five founds ton win the title in Palm Beach, Florida.
Cintron made two defenses of his crown with stoppages over Walter Matthysse (26-1) and Jesse Feliciano, before losing to Margarito for a second time.
Since then, Cintron has posted many quality wins over the likes of Lovemore N’dou (46-10-1), Juliano Ramos (15-2), Antwone Smith (20-2-1), Jonathan Batista (14-1) and his last bout, which took place on March 15, 2014,when won a ten round unanimous decision over Ronald Cruz (20-2).
“I am very happy to add Kermit to the King’s Promotions stable,” said Marshall Kauffman of King’s Promotions.  “Kermit and I have a long history together and we did some special things when I trained him.  I am glad Kermit has come back home and now as a promoter, we feel we can get Kermit back into some big opportunities and get him in position to become world champion again.”
“I am excited to finally sign with a promoter,” said Cintron.  ” I have had some offers but this is more exciting.  This is the best thing for me in my career because Marshall trained and managed me.  He knows me personally and he knows what I need in my career and I think its a great match. I am focusing on staying busy and getting another crack at a title, and I know Marshall will do the job in getting me the right fights and I will get that title shot.”

Solid undercard announced for Apr. 2nd Adamek vs. Molina PPV live from Poland

KRAKOW, Poland (March 23, 2016) – A solid, entertaining undercard has been announced for “The Final Call,” featuring two-division world champion Tomasz “Goral” Adamek against former world title challenger Eric “Drummer Boy” Molina, airing live April 2 on pay-per-view in North America from Tauron Arena in Krakow, Poland.
Adamek (50-4, 30 KOs), fighting out of Jersey City, NJ, and dangerous Texan foe Molina (24-3, 18 KOs) will battle in the 12-round main event for the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) Inter-Continental heavyweight title.
Integrated Sports Media will distribute the card in North America residents on pay-per-view for live viewing at 2 p.m. ET/ 11 a.m. PT on cable, satellite and Internet pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH Network, and Vubiquity in the United States, as well as Rogers TV, Bell TV, Shaw PPV and SaskTel in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95. Please contact your local cable or satellite provider for more information. In addition, the fight is available in North America for purchase on-line at www.GFL.tv  and via the FITE.TV app for both Android and iOS. This event is presented in Poland by Polsat, as part of the Polsat Boxing Night series, as well as Main Events and Don King Productions.
“Not only will passionate Polish fight enthusiasts in North America have an opportunity to watch some of Poland’s top fighters, including arguably its all-time best in Adamek, but American and Canadian boxing fans, in general, will be able to watch a full card featuring competitive, highly entertaining fights,” Integrated Sports Media president Doug Jacobs said.  “We’re excited to be able to bring this tremendous card to North America and believe viewers will enjoy an afternoon of memorable boxing action.”
The Apr. 2nd pay-per-view telecast will also include three 10-round bouts showcasing three other world title challengers.  The co-feature event matches undefeated Polish cruiserweight prospect Michael Cieslak (11-0, 7 KOs) against two-time world title challenger Francisco “The Wizard” Palacios (23-3, 14 KOs). Palacios, who fights out of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, went the complete distance twice in his pair of world title fights with WBC cruiserweight champion Krzysztof Wlodarczyk.
A pair of Polish heavyweights square off in a scheduled 10-round match as Andrzej Wawrzyk (31-1, 17 KOs), whose lone loss as a professional was to world champion Alexander Povetkin in a 2013 world title fight, meets former Polish champion Marcin Rekowski (17-2, 14 KOs).
An additional world-class cruiserweight bout is on tap as former European titlist Mateusz “Master” Masternak (36-4, 26 KOs) takes on Oklahoma’s upset-minded Eric “Danger” Fields (24-3, 16 KOs).  Masternak, another world contender from Poland, is ranked among the top 20 by all four major sanctioning bodies (WBA #10, IBF #14, WBO #15 and WBC #18).   A former WBC Youth champion, Masternak captured the European cruiserweight title in 2012, and WBC International Silver championship a year later.  In 2014, Masternak lost a 12-round split decision in an Interim WBA cruiserweight title fight, but last year he stopped Carlos Ailton Nascimento to capture the vacant WBA Inter-Continental crown.
Fields is a battle-tested veteran having defeated world champion Kelvin Davis and fought top contenders such as Ola Afolabi, Yunier Dorticos and Ilunga Makabu.
Two other fights may be shown, time permitting. Two-time European champion Rafal “Braveheart” Jackiewicz (48-14-2, 22 KOs) faces Polish welterweight Michal Syrowatka (13-1, 4 KOs) in a 10-round rematch of their fight last December in which Jackiewicz, another Polish world title challenger, won by way of a fourth-round technical knockout.  In a 10-round European female lightweight title fight, unbeaten defending champion Ewa Brodnicka (10-0, 2 KOs), of Poland, meets Italian champion Anota Torti (9-5, 3 KOs).

BELGIAN BOXER ALEX MISKIRTCHIAN GETS FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE SHOT

PROMOTER SALITA BACKS FEATHERWEIGHT CONTENDER
Brooklyn, NY (March 16, 2016) – Even the very best in the business experience setbacks and get faced with choice time. Can I learn from my mistake and turn a negative into a positive?
Alex Miskirtchian found himself enjoying his momentum up the featherweight ladder before he hit a pothole in the road last summer. The Georgia-born fighter with a 26-4-1 mark got caught by vet Cornelius Lock and had to assess himself.

He did so, and licked his wounds and got back to work. The Belgium resident, who has mostly fought in his home-land, rebounded with a win in December and is being rewarded for his perseverance with an IBF intercontinental championship opportunity.

Miskirtchian, promoted by Brooklyn’s Dmitriy Salita, will fight Vireol Simion on March 18, for a crack at that crown.

“Alex is fighting for a title but more importantly for a chance to come back to the top of the division,” Salita said.

“He learned from his US experience, against Lock, took a break and came back with extra motivation to again make a world title run. I believe Alex will put on one of his best performances in this upcoming fight. He has a great team with manager Alain Vanackère and I believe the result will be a positive one on March 18th.”

The fight against the 19-1 Romanian Viorel will unfold in Bucharest, the capital of Romania, so Miskirtchian will need to fight his best brand of boxing that evening. His promoter, Salita, has faith in him.

“Salita Promotions boxers are making more and more noise, around the world,” the promoter said. “I am proud of our growth and of the efforts of the fine athletes like Miskirtchian who fight for Salita Promotions!”

CARL FRAMPTON UNIFIES THE SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT DIVISION WITH SPLIT DECISION OVER SCOTT QUIGG SATURDAY ON SHO EXTREME® FROM MANCHESTER, ENGLAND

Encore Presentation of SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL®

Airs Immediately Following Tonight’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Telecast

 

Click HERE For Photos Credit Matchroom Boxing

 

NEW YORK (Feb. 27, 2016) – IBF 122-pound world champion Carl Frampton unified the super bantamweight division with a split decision victory over WBA titlist Scott Quigg Saturday on SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL from Manchester, England.

 

An encore presentation of Saturday’s telecast will re-air later this evening immediately following the live SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast headlined by three-division world champion Leo Santa Cruz and former titlist Kiko Martinez.  The SHOWTIME telecast begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

 

The long-awaited matchup of unbeaten champions got off to a slow and tactical start, but Belfast native Frampton (22-0, 14 KOs) established himself as the aggressor and worked his jab to pocket the early rounds.  Quigg didn’t come alive until after the seventh, when trainer Joe Gallagher warned his charge that he was likely down big on the judges’ scorecards.

 

Quigg (31-1-2) pounded the body and was the aggressor in rounds eight through 11, but it was too little, too late for the Lancashire, England native.  Frampton won the 12th and walked away the unified champion by scores of 115-113 for Quigg, but 116-112 twice for Frampton.

 

“I couldn’t believe it was a split,” Frampton said.  “I don’t know what that lad was watching, but as long as I got my hand raised at the end of the fight, that’s the main thing.

 

“We have a great rivalry, and it was a great fight at the end.  The start wasn’t great, but of course I would do it again.  I’m happy to campaign at super bantamweight, but if a big fight comes calling at featherweight – Santa Cruz, Selby, any of these guys – I’m ready for them.”

 

Quigg admitted he should have pushed the action in the early rounds, but still thought he did enough to get the decision.

 

“I felt comfortable,” Quigg said.  “The judges must have been counting his punches as scoring, but I thought I was blocking them.  I should have started faster.  I felt comfortable and I thought I was winning the rounds because he wasn’t winning clear.  I’m not going to complain.  I want a rematch.  Maybe next time I’ll start a bit earlier.”

CARL FRAMPTON vs. SCOTT QUIGG FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & PHOTOS FOR 122-POUND UNIFICATION THIS SATURDAY LIVE ON SHO EXTREME®

 

SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL® Live At 5:30 p.m. ET/PT

From Manchester Arena In Manchester, England;

Encore Presentation Saturday Evening On SHOWTIME®

 

 

Click HERE For Photos.  Credit: Matchroom Boxing

 

Undefeated 122-pound world champions Carl Frampton (IBF) and Scott Quigg (WBA) had to be separated at their final press conference on Thursday in Manchester, England, as they faced-off for the long-awaited super bantamweight unification showdown this Saturday, Feb. 27 at Manchester Arena.

 

The unification between Frampton (21-0, 14 KOs), of Belfast, Ireland, and Quigg (32-0-2, 23 KOs), of Lancashire, United Kingdom will be televised live on SHO EXTREME at 5:30 p.m. ET/PT.

 

After jarring over who deserves the home dressing room at the sold-out, 21,000 seat Manchester Arena, the 122-pound rivals had to be separated by Hall of Famer Barry McGuigan and promoter Eddie Hearn.

 

“It’s going to be a great fight, one for the ages,” said Frampton, the IBF champion.  “I’ll win.  It doesn’t matter how, KO or clear points decision.”

 

“I’m going to prove I’m the best super bantamweight,” said Quigg, the WBA titlist.  “I’m going to win by knockout.”

 

The SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL® offering of the Sky Sports telecast will feature analysis from SHOWTIME Sports® hostBarry Tompkins, analyst Steve Farhood and special guest and WBA Middleweight World Champion Daniel Jacobs.  An encore presentation of the bout will air on SHOWTIME® immediately following Saturday’slive SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast headlined by three-division world champion Leo Santa Cruz and former titlist Kiko Martinez.  The SHOWTIME telecast begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

 

Here’s what Frampton, Quigg and their trainers and promoters had to say in Manchester on Thursday:

 

CARL FRAMPTON:

“I’m better in every department, plain and simple.

 

“Because of the magnitude of this fight, everything had to be perfect.  I’ve done everything right this time,”

 

“This means so much; there is a lot at stake.  It’s more than titles – it’s pride and bragging rights. It’s proving who is the best.  Reputation is a big deal, so there is so much on the line.

 

“I’m prepared to do whatever it takes to win.  I’ve punching power to KO him in any round and I’ve the boxing brain to win on points.

 

“I’ve spent 17 weeks in camp, the longest ever.  I missed my son’s first steps and both my kids’ birthdays.  I did that because this could be my toughest fight. I’m not going to let Scott Quigg make all that be for nothing.”

 

“It’s going to be a great fight, one for the ages.  I’ll win.  It doesn’t matter how, KO or clear points decision.

 

On the home-team dressing room:

“I’m contractually the A-side. It’s a question of principle.”

 

SCOTT QUIGG:

“Nobody does what I do in terms of dedication to the sport.  I’ll win because of boxing brain and ability.

 

“It’ll mean everything to win.  Since the age of 15, all I have done is eat, sleep and train.

 

Saturday is my moment of destiny and, believe me, I will win this fight.  I’ve put in too much for anyone to stop me.”

 

“Tune in for a great fight.  I’m going to prove I’m the best super bantamweight.  I’m going to win by knockout.

 

On the home-team dressing room:

“It’s my arena, I’m the home fighter.  I want the home dressing room.”

 

SHANE MCGUIGAN, Frampton’s Trainer:

“They are two legitimate, world class fighters and there is maybe only 2 percent difference at the top level – Carl has that extra percent.

 

“As a trainer you are only as good as your fighters and I’m lucky to have Carl.”

 

JOE GALLAGHER, Quigg’s Trainer

“He (Shane McGuigan) was a nutritionist a few years ago who asked to help Gerry Storey.  He’s only famous because of his dad.

 

“They are underestimating Scott’s boxing brain and being disrespectful throughout the build-up.”

 

BARRY MCGUIGAN, Frampton’s Promoter

“There has never been a bigger super bantamweight fight of this magnitude in Europe.  It’s got a Barrera-Morales feel to hit and is going to be a magnificent occasion.

 

“I think Carl will have too much for him, but it has the potential to be a great fight.”

 

EDDIE HEARN, Quigg’s Promoter

“It’s bigger than Froch vs. Groves, because it is a global event.

 

“I’m proud to have made the fight happen.  This can ignite the sport and keep it alive.

 

“The atmosphere and passion will eclipse all that has gone before.  It just doesn’t get any bigger than this.

 

“I can’t see anything other than a great fight.  With two fighters this talented, so much on the line and so much passion from teams and fans, you’re going to get something very special.”

CARL FRAMPTON & SCOTT QUIGG QUOTES & WORKOUT PHOTOS FOR 122-POUND UNIFICATION SHOWDOWN THIS SATURDAYLIVE ON SHO EXTREME®

We’ve been chasing these boys for years… Scott is in for a big, big shock.” – Carl Frampton

 

“I’ve always wanted the chance to prove I’m the best…I can win on points, but I will knock out Carl Frampton. – Scott Quigg

 

 

Click HERE For Photos From Matchroom Boxing

 

Undefeated 122-pound world champions Carl Frampton (IBF) and Scott Quigg (WBA) held media workouts on Tuesday in Manchester, England, as they finalize preparation for their long-awaited super bantamweight unification showdown this Saturday, Feb. 27 atManchester Arena.

 

The massive unification between Frampton (21-0, 14 KOs), of Belfast, Ireland, and Quigg (32-0-2, 23 KOs), of Lancashire, United Kingdom will be televised live on SHO EXTREME at 5:30 p.m. ET/PT.

 

The SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL® offering of the Sky Sports telecast will feature analysis from SHOWTIME Sports®analysts Barry Tompkins, Steve Farhood and guest analyst and WBA Middleweight World Champion Daniel Jacobs. 

 

An encore presentation of the bout will air on SHOWTIME® immediately following Saturday’s live SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®telecast headlined by three-division world champion Leo Santa Cruzand former titlist Kiko Martinez.

 

Here’s what Frampton and Quigg had to say as they approachSaturday’s fight:

 

CARL FRAMPTON:

“I have wanted this fight for a long, long time.  I thrive on the big occasions and there are not many bigger than a domestic super fight.

 

“I won my world title on a massive stage, Scott Quigg was handed his title after a draw.  He has fought on big cards but not as a bill-topper and I genuinely don’t know if he will be able to handle this level of pressure.  I’m going to use all of my experience to outbox, outfight and outgun Scott Quigg.

 

“We’ve been chasing these boys for years.  They didn’t want it, end of story.  Then all it took was one below par performance from me to convince his team that they should finally take the fight.  If that first round in my last fight is what they’re basing their hopes of victory on then Scott is in for a big, big shock.

 

“I’ve had the best training camp of my career, I’m in the shape of my life and I’m going to become the unified Super Bantamweight World Champion.

 

“First and foremost I’m doing this for my family.  I have two beautiful kids and both Christine (Frampton) and I want the best for them, that’s what drives me and makes me so focused on being the best in the world.

 

“I am 100 percent dedicated to the sport of boxing, I spend twelve-weeks in training camp in London away from home, only getting to go home a handful of times and I do this so I can be the best I possibly can.

 

“People have said Quigg trains like a machine.  I can tell you I train every bit as hard if not harder, but I’m no machine.  I don’t need to be programmed in order to perform.

 

“Shane (McGuigan) is a brilliant coach, I’ve been saying it all along.  But now people are sitting up and taking notice.  Shane and I work hard on tactics and techniques when we approach every fight, but we both know that if tactics need tweaking mid fight I can think my way through a contest.  Scott Quigg can’t.”

 

SCOTT QUIGG:

“This is the perfect time now for this fight.  We’re both world champions, we’re both undefeated, and I believe this is the perfect time for me to go out there and do a job on him.

 

“It’s a fight I’ve wanted for a long time.  It’s a fight that’s been brewing for a long time.  Seeing Carl sign on the dotted line meant that I was one step closer to achieving everything I’ve worked towards; becoming the best.

 

“I’ve always wanted the chance to prove I’m the best.  Now the fight’s been made, I’m one million per cent confident that I’m going win in spectacular fashion.  I can win on points, but I will knock out Carl Frampton.

 

“No-one expected me to get Kiko out of there early. If I’d have stopped him late or won on points, then Carl had already done that, so the only way I could get credit or show people what I am capable of was KO him early.

 

“With Carl and his performance in the States, they handpicked (Alejandro) Gonzalez from a list of opponents because they thought that he would be the easiest one.  They wanted to go over there and look good in his U.S. debut so the Americans would rave about him – and he nearly came unstuck.

 

“We respect each other as fighters.  You don’t become a world champion by chance, there’s a lot of hard work and a lot of talent involved.  But they are in for a shock because they think I can only fight one way.  They don’t think I can’t adapt and I’ll just come steaming forward.  Maybe I will do that, but if I do come steaming forward, it’s because I am going to KO him.

 

“People are saying now that because I’ve been knocking guys out quite early that I’ve been going out for the stoppages, but that’s not the case.  I’ve been going out and I’ve been boxing.

 

“If I land clean on any super bantamweight or featherweight in the world, I will knock them out. So, it’s about just making sure I pick the right time and I open the gaps. And when the gaps are there then I’ll take them.

 

“I don’t take any notice of whether I’ve got the crowd behind me or whether it is behind my opponent, but I know for a fact that he takes comfort from having a lot of support.  When he’s taken away from that, he shows his vulnerabilities. I think that will affect him.

 

“The Irish are very passionate about the sport and they know their boxing inside-out. They get behind their man and they will create a great atmosphere.  The atmosphere is going to go off even more because we’re both at the top of our game and there’s a lot riding on this.  There’s a lot of pride at stake – it’s going to be electric.”

 

“I got into boxing to become world champion.  I’ve done that and now I’ve set new goals to reach greater heights because I want to challenge myself every day.

 

“Ricky Hatton became a crossover star and was a hit in the US.  He took 40,000 Brits to Las Vegas and became a global star. That’s the next goal that I’ve set for myself and I can make it if I keep working hard, maintain my dedication and focus.

 

“Getting this fight now on SHOWTIME in the U.S. is the first step.  I’ll go out and do a job on Carl, win in a spectacular fashion and that’s going to give me a boost for my profile in the U.S.

 

“I am not going to give the WBA belt up.  I want to fight the best.  Guillermo Rigondeaux is next because that’s what the WBA have ordered.

 

“My focus is on beating Carl.  We’ll look at fighting the best out there after that.  I’ve always said, ‘I’m out to fight the best and beat the best.’  So, I’m obviously going to fight Rigondeaux.  I’m not scared of fighting him.  I’m not shying away from the challenge. I thrive on that sort of task and fighting Rigondeaux – who’s rightly so ranked No. 1 in the division because of what he’s achieved – would be a huge challenge.  I honestly believe that if the time comes and we fight, I can beat him.”

 

SHANE MCGUIGAN, Frampton’s Trainer:

“There is a lot of debate about who hits harder between Frampton and Quigg.  I know Carl Frampton is the hardest punching Super Bantamweight in the world.

 

“One thing you can’t argue about is who has the better pedigree and who has the better boxing brain.  Carl wins hands down in both departments and he is going to show this in brutal and clinical fashion.

 

“Carl can box off the back foot, he can fight on the front foot and he has devastating one-punch power.”

 

BARRY MCGUIGAN, Frampton’s Promoter:

“Carl is always so cool when the heat is on him, he steps up to the plate and delivers.

 

“Even in his last fight when he didn’t get off to a great start, Carl still managed to pull himself together and do what was needed to get the win.

 

“He’s a natural born winner.  I had to work very hard just to be able to compete at world level.  I think the same can be said of Scott Quigg, but for Carl it comes more naturally.  Couple this with his incredible work ethic and that is why Carl Frampton is the best in the world.”

TWO-TIME WORLD CHAMPION ANDRE WARD AND UNDEFEATED SULLIVAN BARRERA SET FOR LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN ON SATURDAY, MARCH 26 AT ORACLE ARENA IN OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA

TELEVISED LIVE ON HBO®

 

NEW YORK, NY (February 9, 2016) – Roc Nation Sports is pleased to announce that Two-Time World Champion and top-rated pound-for-pound fighter Andre Ward (28-0, 15 KOs) will return to the ring on Saturday, March 26, to begin his assault on the light heavyweight division when he takes on undefeated and number one rated IBF light heavyweight contender Sullivan Barrera (17-0, 12 KOs) in a 12-round bout at Oracle Arena in Ward’s hometown of Oakland, California. The event will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT.

 

Tickets priced at $300, $150, $100, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes, go on sale Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 5:00 PM PT and will be available at all Ticketmaster locations, online at Ticketmaster.com and charge by phone at (800) 745-3000.

 

“I don’t really have much to say other than this. On March 26, it will be very simple. I’ll be in a new weight class against a tough opponent but I’m coming with the same approach,” said Ward. “I’ll be in great shape and ready for battle. Sullivan Barrera has had a lot to say lately and I love it. He’s going to have an opportunity to back up every word that he has spoken. These are the type of challenges I like and on March 26, it’s go time.”

 

“We as a team had a tough choice to make – crash the party by taking out Ward first or wait for the mandatory and take out Kovalev,” said Barrera. “We decided that the time is now. Ward will fall first and then we will go after the belts.”

 

“Having cleaned out the super middleweight division, Andre’s next challenge is to become the best light heavyweight in the world, and that challenge begins with the IBF’s number one rated contender in Sullivan Barrera,” said David Itskowitch, COO of Boxing Roc Nation Sports. “With both fighters having their sights set on an eventually showdown with Unified Light Heavyweight World Champion Sergey Kovalev, there’s a lot on the line in this fight, but only one man will move on. March 26 is a night of boxing that no fan should miss.”

 

“I’m excited to be on Team Ward as we enter the light heavyweight division. No weapons formed against us shall prosper,” said James Prince, Ward’s manager.

 

On March 26, before a hometown crowd, pound for pound star Andre Ward returns to HBO in his light heavyweight debut against undefeated Sullivan Barrera” said Peter Nelson, Executive Vice President, HBO Sports. “With a perfect record dating back to the age of 12 years old, Andre has risen to every challenge as both an amateur and a professional, including world titles and an Olympic gold medal. Now, he takes on Barrera, one of the toughest challengers as Ward moves up the scale. Boxing fans won’t want to miss it.”

 

Known for his strong character and integrity outside the ring and his warrior’s instinct inside it, Ward’s skill and talent were apparent early in his outstanding amateur career. He racked up every title in the books, culminating with a gold medal in the light heavyweight division at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. As the only male American boxer to claim Olympic gold since 1996, Ward joined the likes of Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard and Oscar De La Hoya. He turned professional on December 18, 2004, scoring a second round technical knockout victory over Chris Molina at Staples Center in a fight that was televised live on HBO. He has gone on to rack up 27 more victories since then, building an ever-growing legion of fans in the process. After becoming the Ring Magazine and WBA Super Middleweight World Champion, rising to the number two spot on the pound-for-pound list and winning the 2011 Fighter of the Year Award (ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Ring Magazine and the Boxing Writers Association of America), it was announced that Ward signed an exclusive promotional agreement with Roc Nation Sports in January 2015, opening a new chapter in his storied boxing career. The Bay Area product returned to the ring on June 20, 2015 at the Oracle Arena in front of his hometown fans in Oakland, California and scored a ninth-round knockout over Paul Smith, continuing his unbeaten streak which dates back to when he was a 13-year-old amateur. Ward recently stepped in front of the camera for a completely different role, a part in the New Line/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Warner Bros. feature “Creed.” Fellow Bay Area natives, director Ryan Coogler and the film’s star Michael B. Jordan, reached out to Ward so that he could provide his expertise for the film. In addition to working in front of the camera with Ward, Jordan spent time at Ward’s home gym in preparation for his role as Apollo Creed’s son. Now it’s time for Ward to get back to his day job when he faces the undefeated Barrera on March 26.

 

Born in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Barrera had an impressive amateur run with a record of 285-27. As an amateur, he was able to earn World Amateur Championships in Germany, Cuba, Venezuela and Central America. During his amateur career he also defeated former Light Heavyweight World Champions Chad Dawson and Beibut Shumenov. Following his defection from Cuba, where he was a member of the country’s national team, Barrera made his professional debut in 2009 with a first round technical knockout win over Anthony Adorno in his adopted hometown of Miami, Florida. He would go on to knockout the first five opponents he faced in his professional career in either the first or second round. Barrera made his television debut in January of 2015 with his appearance on ESPN’sFriday Night Fights, when he scored a fourth round knockout win over former Super Middleweight World Champion Jeff Lacy. Barrera quietly rose through the ratings of the light heavyweight division until he was afforded the opportunity to fight former Light Heavyweight World Title Challenger Karo Murat to become the IBF’s number one rated light heavyweight contender. Barrera seized the opportunity, knocking out Murat in the fifth round on December 12, 2015 in his HBO Latino Boxing debut at the Civic Auditorium in Glendale, California. Sullivan is trained by legendary trainer, Abel Sanchez, who is best known for his work with middleweight champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin. When he is not at The Summit in Big Bear Lake, California training with Sanchez, Barrera resides in Miami, Florida.

 

Ward vs. Barrera, a 12-round fight which is presented by Roc Nation Sports in association with Main Events, takes place Saturday, March 26, 2016 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT.  Follow the conversation using #WardBarrera.

 

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

 

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

Sampson Boxing Wins Right to Promote McJoe Arroyo vs. Jerwin Ancajas IBF Super Flyweight Championship Fight

 

A purse bid procedure was held today in the IBF offices in New Jersey and promoter Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing has won the right to promote the IBF Super Flyweight Champion McJoe Arroyo’s first mandatory defense, against Jerwin Ancajas
Sampson Boxing now has 15 days to submit the executed contracts (no later than February 17, 2016) and the fight must take place within 90 days or by May 2, 2016. Lewkowicz says Ancajas’ home country of the Philippines is the probable location for the fight.
Arroyo (17-0, 8 KOs), from Fajardo, Puerto Rico, is a 30-year-old southpaw. He won the championship last July with a 10-round technical decision over Arthur Villanueva. Ancajas (24-1-1, 16 KOs), nicknamed “Pretty Boy” is a 24-year-old southpaw.

New Heavyweight Champ Charles Martin Says: ‘My Time to Shine Will Come!’

Brand new IBF Heavyweight Champion “Prince” Charles Martin (23-0-1, 21 KOs) should be on cloud nine.
In just his seventh year of boxing and slightly over third as a professional, Martin already finds himself the sixth southpaw to have ever won a heavyweight championship after scoring a TKO 3 over Ukrainian top contender Vyacheslav Glazkov last Saturday night, January 16, at the Barclay’s Center in New York.
Winning any world title is an amazing accomplishment that most never reach in decades of boxing. Add in that Martin took out the 2008 Olympic Super Heavyweight bronze medalist to become the second current American heavyweight champion in a suddenly rejuvenated division.
“It feels good,” admits Martin. “I wanted to do it fast. I couldn’t wait,” he explains of his quick ascension. “Some things they say take time but when you’re really determined to do something, you’ll do it as soon as possible.”
With his place already assured in the boxing history books and several lucrative possible showdowns on the near horizon, why isn’t Martin the happiest man on the planet?
It was the way he won.
“I have an empty feeling right now,” said the 29-year-old champion. “I was in front of so many people and it was my time to shine on Showtime and show the world my skills. I felt that he had no power and said to myself that he would be easy work. I knew I was going to have a great night. I was going to KO him and then everyone would love me… but it didn’t happen like that.”
Glazkov stopped fighting in round three due to torn ACL in his knee and Martin was declared the winner of the then-vacant title by way of injury-induced TKO.
“I wanted to win the belt my way,” continued the disappointed Martin. “He would have got knocked out eventually. It was coming to him. I never even got to use my uppercut on him, but it’s all good.”
Humble and extremely likeable, Martin remained polite, post-fight and expressed his condolences to the disappointed Glazkov. However, since that night, Glazkov has gone on to say he had “figured Martin out” and that the championship would have certainly been his had he not been injured.
“Oh my goodness, I’m trying to stay humble about the situation, but that’s so crazy what he said,” said Martin. “If he really thinks that, he’s tripping. Things were about to get a lot worse for him. I promise you, once he started slowing down, my combinations would have started to come out. I was throwing the one/two because he was getting out of the way pretty good in the first few rounds. I was just getting started. I thought I would box him for a while and then start going at him and whip his butt. I promise you I could have. That injury saved him. It broke my heart that I didn’t get to do what I wanted. How does that happen? I was having fun.”
Martin says his team and friends and relatives have been good to remind him the abbreviated ending was out of his control. He also says he’ll take a quick vacation and then get right back to work.
So what comes next for the new American heavyweight champion?
“Tyson Fury or Deontay Wilder. I want them both. I want all the best. That’s the next move. My time to shine will come. I’m a world champion now and I can say that the belt is in the right hands. I’m not going to sit around. I want to fight.”
Martin also says that is Britain’s world champ, Tyson Fury, ever points his taunting antics at him, he won’t mind.
“It’s good for boxing for him to do that kind of stuff. I like that. It’s all business. At the end of the day he has no crazy beef with anybody. Nobody choked anybody’s mother. It’s just boxing. You got to get attention somehow. He makes people want to see a fight. We’re in the entertainment and hurt business. It’s definitely a real fight in the ring though. It’s a non-personal thing that very gets personal once they step in the ring with me. That’s two guys’ livelihood in there. That’s our income for our families.”