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SHOWTIME SPORTS® ANNOUNCES SEVEN MARQUEE BOXING MATCHES PITTING TOP-10 CHAMPIONS VERSUS TOP-10 CHALLENGERS 

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VIDEO: http://s.sho.com/2dqWazE 

SHOWTIME® Continues To Deliver Boxing’s Biggest and Best Fights
Bouts Presented In Association With Premier Boxing Champions Include
Garcia vs. Thurman, Frampton vs. Santa Cruz II and Cuellar vs. Mares 

NEW YORK (Oct. 25, 2016) – SHOWTIME Sports will present seven marquee boxing matches pitting top-10 rated champions in the prime of their careers against fellow top-10 rated challengers over four consecutive months beginning in December.  The schedule, which is the second robust boxing programming announcement from SHOWTIME in 2016, was announced today by Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports.  The lineup includes two long-awaited championship matchups, Jesus Cuellar vs. Abner Mares and Jermall Charlo vs. Julian Williams; the can’t-miss featherweight rematch between Carl Frampton and Leo Santa Cruz, and a welterweight unification blockbuster between undefeated champions Keith Thurman and Danny Garcia.  All four of these anticipated bouts will be presented in association with Premier Boxing Champions.

SHOWTIME Sports produced the strongest lineup of world-class boxing events of any network this year, delivering 18 world title fights devoid of mismatches and “tune-up” fights.  The best fought the best, and the results were spectacular: two “Fight of the Year” contenders, Thurman-Shawn Porter and Santa Cruz-Frampton; a “Knockout of the Year” frontrunner by one of boxing’s biggest punchers, Deontay Wilder; and the arrival of one of boxing’s most marketable new stars in Anthony Joshua.  SHOWTIME also featured the trio of junior middleweight champions, the Charlo twins, Jermall and Jermell, and Erislandy Lara, all in title fights on one card; highlighted the world’s best featherweights in Santa Cruz, Frampton, Gary Russell Jr. and Lee Selby; and set the table for the title unification fight between super middleweight champions Badou Jack and James DeGale.

Boxing’s brightest stars will again take center stage on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® as the network prepares to present the following seven matchups, including six world title fights, over a 12-week span.  All bouts will air live on SHOWTIME with the exception of Garcia vs. Thurman, which will either air live in Primetime on CBS or live on SHOWTIME.

Seven of the 14 fighters are undefeated, while the champions and challengers in the six world title fights boast a combined 313 wins versus just six losses.

December 10:            Jesus Cuellar (28-1, 21 KOs) vs. Abner Mares (29-2-1, 15 KOs)*
Jermall Charlo (24-0, 18 KOs) vs. Julian Williams (22-0-1, 14 KOs)*

January 14:                Badou Jack (20-1-2, 12 KOs) vs. James DeGale (23-1, 14 KOs)**

January 28:                Carl Frampton (23-0, 14 KOs) vs. Leo Santa Cruz (32-1-1, 18 KOs)*                                 Dejan Zlaticanin (18-0, 11 KOs) vs. Mikey Garcia (35-0, 29 KOs)*

February 11:              Adrien Broner (32-2, 24 KOs) vs. Adrian Granados (18-4-2, 12 KOs)

March 4:                     Danny Garcia (32-0, 18 KOs) vs. Keith Thurman (27-0, 22 KOs)**

                                    *World title bout
                                    **World title unification bout     

“This is a slate of high-level, evenly-matched, 50/50 fights – the best fighting the best – which has become the calling card of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING,” said Espinoza.  “Every fight we are announcing today features a top 10-ranked champion taking on a top 10-ranked challenger; in many cases, it’s top-five vs. top-five.

“This is our second major boxing lineup announcement this year, further proof that no other network is delivering high-quality competitive fights – without relying on PPV – as consistently as SHOWTIME.  No other network is as committed to driving the sport forward.  SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is giving subscribers the best that boxing has to offer.”

Saturday, Dec. 10 – SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®
Presented in association with Premier Boxing Champions

In a highly anticipated featherweight blockbuster, hard-hitting Jesus Cuellarwill make the second defense of his WBA 126-pound title against Abner Mares, a three-division champ who has compiled a staggering resume while collecting belts at 118, 122 and 126 pounds.  Cuellar vs. Mares is the latest in a lineup of action-oriented 126-pound showdowns assembled with the goal of unifying one of the sport’s most talent-laden divisions.  It will be the fifth featherweight world championship of 2016 on SHOWTIME.

On Dec. 10, there also will be a long-awaited world championship contest between two undefeated 154-pound fighters.  Jermall Charlo will make the third defense of his IBF Junior Middleweight World Championship against No. 1 mandatory challenger Julian Williams in a matchup of 26-year-old fighters at the top of their game.  Charlo vs. Williams becomes the sixth title or world title eliminator in the 154-pound weight class in 2016 on SHOWTIME, a roster featuring eight of the top-10 fighters in the division.

Saturday, Jan. 14 – SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING

Super middleweight world champions Badou Jack and James DeGale are set to unify the 168-pound class. Both champions retained their titles on a doubleheader last April 30 on SHOWTIME.  Jack kept his WBC belt in a controversial draw with longtime titlist Lucian Bute that many thought Jack clearly won.  Earlier that evening, DeGale successfully defended his IBF crown with a unanimous decision over mandated challenger Rogelio Medina.  Jack landed 61 percent of his power punches, while DeGale connected on an astonishing 66 percent of his power shots.  Now, Jack and DeGale will face off in a long-awaited unification to determine the No. 1 fighter in the super middleweight division.

Saturday, Jan. 28 – SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
Presented in association with Premier Boxing Champions

The most anticipated rematch in boxing will take place when Carl Framptonand Leo Santa Cruz square off in an immediate rematch of a leading 2016 Fight of the Year candidate.  In their first encounter July 30 on SHOWTIME, former super bantamweight champ Frampton moved up in weight to challenge fellow unbeaten Santa Cruz, edging the three-division titlist in a firefight.  The must-see rematch will be the sixth featherweight world championship on SHOWTIME in less than 12 months.

The co-feature pits undefeated lightweights Dejan Zlaticanin against resurgent fan favorite Mikey Garcia.  Zlaticanin is making the first defense of his WBC 135-pound crown against the former two-division titlist in Garcia.  The champion is the No. 1 fighter at 135 pounds, while Garcia is aiming to become a three-division world champion in just his second fight back from a two-and-a-half year layoff.

Saturday, Feb. 11 – SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING

Four-division world champion Adrien Broner will face the streaking Adrian Granados in a matchup of top-10 ranked 140-pound fighters.  The flashy Broner, who has captured titles at 130, 135, 140 and 147 pounds, has scored two consecutive knockouts in the super lightweight division.  The hard-charging, all-action Granados, who pulled a stunning upset of then-undefeated WBC No. 1 ranked super lightweight Amir Imam in a dominating performance last November on SHOWTIME, thrives in the underdog role and has a deceiving record – his four defeats, all via split or majority decision, have come against opponents with a cumulative record of 52-1.

Saturday, March 4 – SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
Presented in association with Premier Boxing Champions

Undefeated welterweight world champions Keith Thurman and Danny Garciahave been on a collision course for more than a year.  Thurman has held a version of the WBA Welterweight World Championship since 2013 but announced his arrival in March 2015 with an emphatic win over Robert Guerrero.  Thurman has since defended the title twice, including most recently against former world champion Shawn Porter in a potential Fight of the Year thriller in June on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on CBS.  Garcia, after conquering the 140-pound division, captured the WBC Welterweight World Championship with an impressive performance against Guerrero in January.  Should Garcia defeat Samuel Vargas on Nov. 12 in a non-title fight, he and Thurman are set to meet in a marquee unification blockbuster between undefeated champions at the pinnacle of their careers.  Garcia vs. Thurman will air live in Primetime on CBS or live on SHOWTIME.

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ENCORE PRESENTATION OF CARL FRAMPTON vs. LEO SANTA CRUZ FIGHT OF THE YEAR CONTENDER TO AIR TONIGHT AT 11 P.M. ET/PT ON SHOWTIME EXTREME®

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Saturday’s Instant Classic SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Event Available On SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® and SHOWTIME ANYTIME®

 

WATCH A VIDEO PREVIEW: http://s.sho.com/2aptNld

Photo Credit: Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME

 

Last Saturday’s instant classic “Fight of the Year” contender between Carl Frampton and Leo Santa Cruz will re-air tonight at 11 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME.  The thrilling SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING main event had the Barclays Center rocking as Frampton narrowly edged Santa Cruz in a toe-to-toe battle to dethrone the defending WBA Featherweight World Champion.

 

Monday’s encore presentation of the entire three-fight telecast also features Mikey Garcia’s emphatic return to the ring and Tony Harrison’s title eliminator victory in the stacked 154-pound division.  The SHOWTIME Sports®presentation is also available on SHOWTIME ON DEMAND and SHOWTIME ANYTIME.

 

# # #

 

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @LeoSantaCruz2, @RealCFrampton, @BarclaysCenter, and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/SHOSports, www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment,www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter. PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

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CARL FRAMPTON EDGES LEO SANTA CRUZ IN POTENTIAL FIGHT OF THE YEAR SHOOTOUT TO WIN FEATHERWEIGHT WORLD TITLE SATURDAY ON SHOWTIME® AT

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BARCLAYS CENTER IN BROOKLYN

 

Mikey Garcia Stamps His Return With Explosive Knockout Of Elio Rojas In SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Co-Feature: Click HERE For Video

 

Catch The Replay This Monday, Aug. 1 At 11 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME

 

Click HERE For Photos From Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME (Full Gallery Coming Soon)

 

Click HERE For Photos From Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment

 

Click HERE For Photos From Andy Samuelson/Premier Boxing Champions

 

BROOKLYN (July 31, 2016) – In a possible “Fight of the Year” showdown between two undefeated fighters, Carl Frampton edged Leo Santa Cruz in a firefight to capture the WBA Featherweight World Championship in the main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Saturday in front of 9,062 fans at the electric Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

 

Frampton (23-0, 14 KOs), the former unified super bantamweight champion who moved up to 126 pounds to challenge Santa Cruz (32-1-1, 18 KOs), became the first native of Northern Ireland to become a two-division world champion.

 

The majority decision, scored 114-114 draw, 116-112 and 117-111, was fought at a blistering pace from the outset.

 

Santa Cruz’s hallmark has always been his high-octane output and power punching, but the three-division world champion was unable to utilize his reach advantage, and his activity was eliminated by Frampton’s tremendous counterpunching and power shots.  While both fighters are top 10 in the world in jabs, a staggering 402 of their 497 combined landed punches were power shots.

 

While Santa Cruz landed almost equal the amount of power shots – 206 vs. 191 – the 46 percent that Frampton connected on appeared to land cleaner and inflict more damage. And while Santa Cruz was the taller fighter, he lunged forward and fought short on the inside, allowing Frampton to minimize the reach and contest the battle toe-to-toe, where it suited him best.

 

“It’s a dream come true,” said Frampton. “I had the dream of winning a world title and I won it, but I never thought I’d win in two divisions.  It was a tough fight, I wanted it to be a tough fight because I wanted a fight the people could remember.  I respect him a lot.  He was a true warrior.

 

“I had a good game plan.  Shane was an unbelievable coach.  He told me every time I came back into the corner that we could win this a lot easier. But I won it with my heart, not with my head and I got my hand raised.

 

“Distance control and hitting hard were the keys. I won the fight because I didn’t lose control.  I earned his respect early in the fight with my distance control and hard punching.  I would love to take this man to Belfast for a rematch and show the people there what a great fighter he is.”

 

In calling out the other champions at 126 pounds – including IBF champion Lee Selby and WBC champion Gary Russell Jr, who were both in attendance – Frampton said: “I want big, memorable fights.” Click HERE for Frampton’s full post fight interview.

 

Santa Cruz, who captured belts at 118, 122 and 126 pounds, disagreed with decision but agreed with Frampton’s wish for a rematch.

 

“It was a tough fight from the beginning,” Santa Cruz said.  “We knew it was going to be a tough fight, but I thought it was close when I was in there throwing.  Maybe the judges were hearing the crowd and thought that every little punch was scoring.

 

“He has a difficult style, but we know his style and will get him in the rematch.  The crowd was cheering, and I think the judges saw that.  Maybe, without that, we would have had a draw or maybe a decision.

 

“It’s hard to get your first loss, but now we’ll go back to the gym, we’ll get the rematch and we’ll win.  And that loss will mean nothing.  I want to have a rematch in Los Angeles, but I’ll go to Belfast too.”

 

Undefeated former two-division world champion Mikey Garcia returned to the ring in impressive fashion after a two-and-a-half year absence, flooring former titlist Elio Rojas four times en route to a fifth round TKO (2:02).

 

Garcia (35-0, 29 KOs) showed no signs of ring rust as he stalked forward from the opening bell.  The former 126 and 130-pound titlist and pound-for-pound mainstay floored Rojas (24-3, 14 KOs) midway through the third with a right-left combo, sending the Dominican to the canvas for just the second time in his career.  Rojas beat the count, but a monster right sent him falling face-forward less than one minute later for the second knockdown of the round.  Again, the durable Rojas continued to come forward as Garcia teed-off.

 

Rojas was tagged again midway through the fifth with a huge right, falling to the canvas for the third time in fight.  Now bleeding from his nose, Rojas was knocked down again just seconds later by a brutal right uppercut from Garcia.  Again, Rojas beat the count, but looked defeated and referee Eddie Claudio stopped the fight.

 

“The two-and-a-half-year layoff sparked a fire in me and motivated me to do the best that I could,” said Garcia, who landed 50 percent of his power shots.  “Elio is a tough guy and a former world champion. He didn’t come for a paycheck; he came to win.

 

“Elio took advantage of the opportunity. But we trained for a great performance like this and I was thrilled to get the job done. It felt great to be here with a supportive crowd behind me. I’m looking forward to getting back in there and winning another world title.”

 

Despite the four knockdowns, Rojas disagreed with the stoppage and wanted to continue fighting.

 

“I was able to get off the canvas because I trained so hard,” Rojas said.  “Mikey is just stronger. I’m a natural 126-pounder fighting above my weight.  It was a great matchup and Mikey is a great fighter. I have no doubt that he is going to take over the division.

 

“I was very upset when the fight was stopped. I wanted to keep going because I have a champion’s heart and I never want to quit.”

 

Once-beaten 154-pound contender Tony Harrison secured the IBF’s No. 2 position with a ninth round TKO (1:18) of Sergey Rabchenko in the opening bout of the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast.

 

Harrison (24-1, 20 KOs) is now ranked No. 2 behind IBF Junior Middleweight World Champion Jermall Charlo and No. 1 mandatory challenger Julian Williams, who have agreed to fight later this year.

 

Harrison set up the distance with his jab, controlled the pace and outpunched Rabchenko (27-2, 20 KOs) by a nearly 2-1 margin.  He was breaking Rabchenko down with a steady diet of power shots and well-timed jabs when he floored the Belarus native with a sharp right hand one minute into the ninth.  Rabchenko got up, but looked defeated and unsteady on his feet, forcing referee Arthur Mercante to halt the contest.

 

Harrison landed 11 of 40 jabs per round on top of an impressive 46 percent of his power shots.

 

“This is definitely my biggest win ever,” Harrison said. “I was luring him to sleep. My trainer told me that I would have the right hand behind the jab and that’s what happened.  I’m a finisher. I had him hurt and I said to the ref ‘you better not let him go.’ I knew I had him beat.

 

“A focused Tony Harrison can beat anybody at 154-pounds. Now it’s on Jermall Charlo and Julian Williams. I’m in the catbird seat.”

 

Rabcheko threw an average of only 31 punches per round, connecting just seven per round.

“I didn’t throw enough punches,” Rabchenko admitted.  “I kept relying on my defense and didn’t attack enough. I was looking for one shot and it was difficult to do it against Tony Harrison with one punch.  The ref did a great job with the stoppage. My health is first and foremost. The health of any fighter is the most important thing. I knew I couldn’t continue.”

 

Former two-division world champion and SHOWTIME analyst Paulie Malignaggi won a 10-round unanimous decision over fellow Brooklynite Gabriel Bracero in the “Battle for Brooklyn.”  The welterweight bout was scored 96-94 and 98-92 twice.

 

“The Magic Man” stuck to his usual game plan, jabbing at range and utilizing his reach advantage against the naturally smaller Bracero, who was unable to get inside against the master technician.  Malinaggi (36-7, 7 KOs) dictated the pace and was the more effective fighter, landing 35 percent of his total punches compared to 29 for Bracero (24-3, 5 KOs).  Malignaggi dominated with the jab, landing 11 per round, which is double the welterweight average.

 

“I knew Bracero was a counter-puncher like myself. I was just trying to be the sharper counter-puncher. We both try to set traps and I just wanted to make him earn any points that he got. At the same time, I felt like I had to earn my points. I dictated the fight with pot shots and stepping over.

 

“I didn’t want to get desperate. I wanted to force him to get desperate from being behind on the scorecards. I think I did a good job of that.  As the fight went on, I just used my movement and feints to stay in control.

 

“The plan was to keep it simple – if he didn’t adjust to any traps, then I was going to keep using them.  I kept it as simple as I could against a guy who if you complicate things, he will catch you. He’s a counter-puncher who can make you pay. “

 

Later in the evening, Malignaggi returned to his ringside position as commentator for the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast.

 

“I’m excited to call the fights tonight,” Malignaggi said.  “I’m a fan before I’m a fighter. I’m excited to go to work right now.”

 

In the opening bout on SHOWTIME BOXING on SHO EXTREME, Philadelphia’s Tevin Farmerwon his 15th consecutive fight with an impressive 10-round unanimous decision over previously once-beaten lightweight Ivan Redkach, scored, 99-89, 98-90 twice.

 

Fighting on his 26th birthday, Farmer (22-4-1, 5 KOs) was the more effective fighter from the start.  He was able to fight on the inside against the naturally bigger Redkach (19-2-1, 15 KOs), who’s only defeat had come in a 2015 title eliminator against current WBC Lightweight World Champion Dejan Zlaticanin.

 

Farmer, who’s winning streak dates back to a 2012 loss to current 130-pound titlist Jose Pedraza, landed 42 percent of his power punches compared to just 19 percent for Redkach, who landed just 16 percent of his total punches.

 

“I’m proud of my performance tonight,” Farmer said.  “I was very confident that I would be victorious as long as I executed the game plan and that’s what I did. I want a world title. I’m going to go back to 130-pounds and I feel like I’m ready for a title shot. If I have to fight an eliminator I will. I won’t back down from any challenge.

 

“I beat him down. I was the more experienced fighter and I came in with more rounds and with better opponents on my resume.”

 

Both fighters were deducted a point, Farmer in the eighth for a low blow and Redkach in the ninth for an intentional head butt.

 

The SHOWTIME EXTREME telecast also featured highlights of WBO Featherweight World Champion Amanda Serrano as she dropped Colombia’s Calixta Silgado twice on her way to a first round stoppage.

 

Serrano (29-1-1, 22 KOs) defended her title in the first women’s world championship bout at Barclays Center and made quick work of the challenger. Serrano swarmed Silgado (14-7-3, 9 KOs) from the start with strong combinations and powerful hooks. Silgado was able to recover from the first knockdown but was quickly smothered by Serrano, who sent her to the canvas and forced referee Benjy Esteves to halt the bout 1:41 into round one.

 

“I just wanted to get in there and show the fans and everybody out there that women can fight,” said Serrano. “We have talent as well. The sky is the limit. I want more belts. I’m going to drop down to 122-pounds and become a four-division world champion like Miguel Cotto.”

 

Featherweight World Champions Lee Selby and Gary Russell Jr. were interviewed by SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® host Brian Custer during the SHOWTIME® telecast.  See below for quote excerpts:

 

Lee Selby: “Look, it isn’t my nature to call anyone out.  But I know that these guys are looking to fight me, so I will accept the offer with open hands.  In the build up to this fight, Leo Santa Cruz says he’ll fight me too.  So, I accept both challenges.”

 

Gary Russell Jr.: “I want all of the above.  I want to address something that that Lee Selby said. He said that no one knows who Gary Russell is.  Well, everyone knows who the WBC featherweight champ is, and it’s Mr. Gary Russell.  We are both men and I expect you to conduct yourself as a man.  Don’t use this as an out to try to avoid fighting me.”

 

Lee Selby: “I can clarify.  Back home, Carl Frampton is a huge name. A fight between he and I would be bigger, that’s what I was saying.”

 

Gary Russell Jr.: “Look, I like the IBF belt.  I want to add it to my collection.  And as for Leo Santa Cruz, he wants to avenge the loss I gave him in amateurs.  So, me and Leo, we can make it happen.”

 

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will re-air on Monday, Aug. 1 at 11 p.m. ET/PT.  The SHOWTIME BOXING on SHO EXTREME telecast will re-air on Wednesday, Aug. 3 at 11:05 p.m. ET/PT.

 

The evet was presented by Premier Boxing Champions and promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Cyclone Promotions.

 

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @LeoSantaCruz2, @RealCFrampton, @BarclaysCenter, and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports, www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment,www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter. PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

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IN ORDER TO MOVE FORWARD, MIKEY GARCIA FIRST GOES ALL THE WAY BACK

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Watch SHOWTIME Sports Original Digital Series: “THE REVEAL With Mark Kriegel: MIKEY GARCIA”

 

Photo Credit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

 

“There’s a lot more that I’m going to accomplish and there’s going to be a lot more things for him to be proud of.’’ – Mikey Garcia on his father and motivator, Eduardo

 

YOUTUBE Watch, Share & Embed: http://s.sho.com/29Z12eO

DOWNLOAD Link For Your Site’s Video Player: https://we.tl/Lhylf8woLm

 

Undefeated Two-Time World Champion Returns to the Ring Against Former Titleholder

Elio Rojas On Saturday, July 30, Live on SHOWTIME® at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT

 

 

On the eve of his long-awaited return to the ring, undefeated two-division world champion Mikey Garciatakes a stroll down memory lane in an enlightening and candid conversation with Sports Emmy® Award-Winning Writer Mark Kriegel. The 28-year-old Garcia openly reflects on his two-and-a-half year hiatus from boxing, the toll of his lengthy legal battle, and the humble family background that drives him to compete and strive for greatness.   Check out the latest installment of the SHOWTIME Sports® digital series “THE REVEAL with Mark Kriegel”, to get to know Garcia like never before as he embarks on the second chapter of his career. 

 

Garcia returns to face former world champion Elio Rojas in the co-main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® on Saturday, July 30, live on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. In a battle of unbeatens in the main event, undefeated Leo Santa Cruz will defend his WBA Featherweight World Championship against former 122-pound titlist, unbeaten Irish star Carl Frampton. 

 

# # #

 

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Cyclone Promotions and presented by Premier Boxing Champions, start at $38 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, www.barclayscenter.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.

 

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @LeoSantaCruz2, @RealCFrampton, @mikeygarcia, @PaulMalignaggi @BarclaysCenter, and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports, www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment,www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter. PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

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Leo Santa Cruz, Mikey Garcia & Ivan Redkach Los Angeles Media Workout Quotes & Photos

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Stacked Night of Fights Takes Place Saturday, July 30
At Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.
 
Live On SHOWTIME® At 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT &
SHOWTIME EXTREME® at 7 p.m. ET/PT

Click HERE for Photos
Credit: Esther Lin / SHOWTIME
 
LOS ANGELES (July 13, 2016) – Two of the most popular Los Angeles-based fighters, featherweight world champion Leo Santa Cruz and former two-division champion Mikey Garcia, took part in a media workout on Tuesday at City of Angels Boxing Club in Los Angeles, Calif. as they prepare to make a cross-country trip to Brooklyn for their respective Saturday, July 30 showdowns at Barclays Center and live on SHOWTIME®.
Santa Cruz will defend his title against Irish superstar Carl Frampton in the main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
The undefeated Garciawill return to the ring after a two-and-a-half-year layoff to fight former world champion Elio Rojas in a 10-round bout while 154-pound contenders Tony Harrison and Sergey Rabchenko meet in a 12 round IBF Jr. Middleweight eliminator in the televised opener. The telecast will be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP).
Also in attendance at the workout was promising lightweight contender Ivan Redkach, who takes on Tevin Farmer in the opening bout ofSHOWTIME EXTREME (7 p.m. ET/PT). Additional action on July 30 will feature an all-Brooklyn welterweight battle between two-time world champion Paulie Malignaggi and Gabriel Bracero in the main event of a SHOWTIME EXTREME doubleheader.

Here is what the participants had to say Tuesday:
LEO SANTA CRUZ
“My dream is to be the next big thing in boxing. We’re going to work hard every day in the gym, learn from our mistakes and improve so I can be the best fighter out there. With the help of the fans and the media I think I can accomplish that.
“He has great skills, great punches and he moves very well. It’s going to be a tough fight for me but I’m going to work hard to defend my belt.
“I see Frampton as someone trying to come and take away everything I worked hard for. I can’t let that happen. I’m going to do what I have to do to get the win.
“He’s a very skilled fighter. He has great power and I think it’s going to be an exciting fight. These are the kind of guys I want to fight. It gives me even more motivation to get in the gym and train hard.
“I’ve known Mikey Garcia from the amateur days and our families have sparred with each other. I’ve even trained with Robert Garcia before. To see another great Mexican fighter go over to New York is very exciting. I’m very happy for him. He’s a great guy and a great fighter.
“I think Frampton will keep his power up the weight classes. He couldn’t make 122-pounds anymore and he’s said that he will be even stronger this time. That’s good. That’s what I want. I want him to feel good so it’ll be a tough and entertaining fight.
“I can’t let him come over to the U.S. and get this win. We’re going to go out there and see if he can bring the best out of me. I’m going to be one-hundred percent ready.
“I’m comfortable at 126-pounds. I want to get this win against Carl Frampton and then unify against Gary Russell Jr., Lee Selby or any of the champions. When my body is ready we’ll move up in weight to seek another world title.
“When I first started boxing all I ever thought about was being a world champion one time. Then after I got there I started pushing my goals. If I continue to keep learning and improve as a fighter, I could go all the way up to 140-pounds.
“I’m thrilled to be fighting in New York. It’s going to be my first time out there. I’m excited to meet new fans. The people who have wished I would fight in New York will get to see me. There are people that don’t know me and this my opportunity to be impressive and put on a show for them.”
 
MIKEY GARCIA
“I’m a well-rounded fighter. I can adjust to just about any style. I get a lot of diverse sparring so that I can adjust to anything Rojas might bring. Training camp has been going very well and I think it’s going to be a good night for me.
“I’ve seen Rojas before. I saw him when he was champion. He’s a good fighter with a lot of experience. He can definitely box and has a good right hand. He lost his title to a great champion. He’s very skilled and experience.
“Both of us are boxers and we tend to try to work from a distance. This time I may have to look for the fight a bit more and apply some pressure. If he tries to box around, I’ll find him. I think my power will eventually be the difference and I’ll break him down.
“I don’t believe there will be ring rust because I was never really outside of the ring. I’ve been in the gym the whole time, sparring and training. I would spar 10 or 12 rounds, just to do it. Not because I had a fight, but just to keep me active. I know it seems like a long time, but I don’t really see it. I feel like I was gone six months.
“I want to fight at 135 and fight for a title there. I’m going to see how my body feels after this fight, but that’s the plan as of now. We’re not looking past Elio. I definitely want to get back in the ring soon if everything goes right.
“I have no regrets. I’ve got to enjoy myself more than I had in the last 10 years. When you’re in boxing, it’s a year round sport. You don’t have time to yourself, for your family or friends. You miss out on a lot. I learned a lot in my time away about boxing and more.
“This will end up being about a seven-week training camp, but even prior to that I’ve been staying in the gym. I don’t feel any different. I feel one-hundred percent. My body is well-rested which makes me hungrier and more motivated.
“I’ve fought in New York before and it’s always been a great and very supportive crowd. I was at Barclays Center for the first time on June 25 for Thurman-Porter and it was a great arena. It had great energy and I can’t wait to fight there. I can’t wait to fight at Barclays.
“It’s great to be in the gym with all these different types of fighters that my brother trains. I have a lot of very intense sparring. I’ve gotten a chance to really learn from the different styles and it definitely helps me.”
IVAN REDKACH
“This is an excellent fight for me. I’m closing in to a title shot and I’m going to be ready on July 30.
“I have a plan for this fight. You’ll see it in the ring. I’m going to make this an exciting fight.
“A title fight is my motivation but my focus in fully on July 30. Everything I’ve done is to lead up to a world title fight.
“I know that my opponent is slick and very fast. He’s a good boxer but we’ll see what he brings to the ring.
“This is my first camp with Leo Santa Cruz and his team and it’s been going very well. I feel very prepared to fight.”
ANTONIO SANTA CRUZ, Leo’s Brother & Trainer
“This camp feels very close to the same as usual. My father (Jose) is usually the one who tells us what to do. I’m in the ring with Leo but he’s still there. He is sick but he is still going to the gym. He wants to be there for Leo.
“Frampton is a good fighter. He’s going to give my brother a good fight. Short guys are tougher for Leo so we’re making sure we have sparring with fighters of all heights. Frampton won’t be hard to get inside but his height could pose a problem.
“It’s a little bit more pressure on me. I’m trying to show my father that I can learn and help Leo be at his best. I think he’s going to have a great night.”
JOSE SANTA CRUZ, Leo’s Father & Trainer
“I feel good. Right now I’m going to the gym every day. Leo looks good in the ring and is training very well.
“Little by little Antonio is learning and even I’m still learning. We’re both getting better as trainers and that is our goal, to be great. I feel the love from my sons and I love them a lot too. I’m proud of them and I’m proud that they are my sons.
“Leo is very calm. I don’t think Leo is going to be affected by traveling to New York. Even if he doesn’t have the majority of the fans, I don’t think it will affect him.
“You never know how it’s going to go on fight night. You can prepare in the gym, but sometimes, once you’re up in the ring, a fight can get complicated.
“Even if I can’t make it to New York, I’m going to watch the fight. Even if it’s with one eye open, I’m going to watch.”
ROBERT GARCIA, Mikey’s Brother & Trainer
“Mikey definitely wants to win a title at 135-pounds. There are some good champions out there but not necessarily a huge name. Eventually Mikey would want to go up to 140-pounds where I believe there are a lot of exciting fights that could be made.
“Elio is a fighter that has been off for a while and he’s a former world champion. He’s also trying to come back and make a statement. We have to be prepared for the opponent to be at the top of his game.
“Now that he’s got a date and with the training and sparring, Mikey has been looking really good. It’s been a while. We might see a little bit of rust, a little bit of adjustment to timing. But the way he’s been in the gym, against top quality fighters, he’s been looking so good that I wouldn’t be surprised if he put on one of his best performances.”
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Cyclone Promotions and presented by Premier Boxing Champions, start at $38 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, www.barclayscenter.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.
# # #
Barclays Center’s BROOKLYN BOXING™ programming platform is presented by AARP.
For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @LeoSantaCruz2, @RealCFrampton, @mikeygarcia, @PaulMalignaggi @BarclaysCenter, and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports,www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment, www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter. PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.
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MIKEY GARCIA RETURNS ON SATURDAY, JULY 30 FOR STACKED NIGHT OF BOXING ON SHOWTIME® AND SHOWTIME EXTREME®FROM BARCLAYS CENTER PRESENTED BY PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS

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SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® – 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT

Leo Santa Cruz Defends WBA Featherweight Championship vs. Carl Frampton

Two-Division Champ Mikey Garcia Returns Against Former Champion Elio Rojas

Tony Harrison and Sergey Rabchenko Meet in IBF 154-Pound Eliminator

 

SHOWTIME BOXING ON SHOWTIME EXTREME® – 7 p.m. ET/PT

Brooklyn Welterweights Paulie Malignaggi and Gabriel Bracero Square Off

Ivan Redkach Faces Tevin Farmer in Lightweight Bout

 

Tickets On Sale Now

 

BROOKLYN (June 28, 2016)—Undefeated former two-division world champion Mikey Garcia will return to the ring after a two-and-a-half-year layoff on Saturday, July 30 on an exciting night of boxing on SHOWTIME and SHOWTIME EXTREME that is one of the strongest cards ever assembled at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

 

Garcia, who won world titles at featherweight and super featherweight, will fight former world champion Elio Rojas in a 10-round bout in the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING co-feature of the Leo Santa Cruz vs. Carl Frampton event presented by Premier Boxing Champions (PBC).

 

In the opening bout of the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast that begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, once-beaten 154-pound contenders Tony Harrison and Sergey Rabchenko will meet in a 12-round IBF Junior Middleweight Eliminator.  Harrison and Rabchenko will square off for the No. 2 mandatory challenger spot to IBF titlist Jermall Charlo, who successfully defended his crown on May 21, and undefeated contender Julian Williams, who earned the No. 1 mandatory position on March 5, both on SHOWTIME.  Harrison vs. Rabchenko is the sixth matchup in 2016 between top 154-pound fighters, a lineup showcasing three world title fights and three title elimination matches in one of boxing’s deepest divisions.

 

The combined record of the six fighters on the SHOWTIME telecast is an impressive 162-4-1 with 113 knockouts.

 

An all-Brooklyn showdown between welterweight technicians Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi and Gabriel “Tito” Bracero highlights the undercard action on SHOWTIME BOXING on SHOWTIME EXTREME.  The 10-round bout is a matchup between a former two-division world champion, Malignaggi, and a fellow Brooklyn native, Bracero, coming off the biggest win of his career when he knocked out Danny O’Connor last October.

 

A 10-round clash between once-beaten lightweight Ivan Redkach and streaking Tevin Farmer, a winner of 14 straight, will open the SHOWTIME EXTREME telecast live at 7 p.m. ET/PT.

 

The July 30 event at Barclays Center comes on the heels of last Saturday’s potential Fight of the Year thriller between Keith Thurman and Shawn Porter, a back-and-forth slugfest that generated the top grossing live gate and second-highest attended boxing event in venue history.

 

“This is the strongest card from top to bottom that I have promoted at Barclays Center,” said DiBella Entertainment President Lou DiBella.  “Every single fight is significant and competitive, and this is a great follow up from the tremendous success that boxing had with Thurman-Porter this past weekend.”

 

“This will be our 19th boxing event, but from top to bottom it’s arguably our best card yet,” said Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment CEO Brett Yormark. “We are excited to welcome undefeated Santa Cruz and Frampton to Brooklyn for the first time, a fight that could rival Barclays Center’s epic Thurman-Porter bout for Fight of the Year.  It’s also a pleasure to welcome Brooklyn’s own Paulie Malignaggi back to Barclays Center for the fifth time and to host the return of Mikey Garcia after a two and a half year hiatus. July 30 is going to be another big night for BROOKLYN BOXING.”

 

“We are excited to be part of Mikey Garcia’s return to the ring.  Before the layoff, he was a two-division world champion and considered one of the top boxers in the world. We know he is determined to reclaim his place among the elite,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President & General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports.  “SHOWTIME has distinguished itself by delivering the most compelling matchups and the most important events in boxing all year long.  There is no other network as committed to the sport, and the July 30 event, from top-to-bottom, is a prime example.”

 

MIKEY GARCIA vs. ELIO ROJAS

“I expect to pick up right where I left off,” Garcia told SHOWTIME Sports reporter Jim Gray last Saturday on CBS.  “I was a world champion, I was undefeated, and I still am.  I didn’t leave because I was injured.  I think I’ll come back even better.  I’m hungrier now than I was before.

 

“I just have to get one fight in.  This first fight with Elio (Rojas) will be somewhere between 135 and 140 pounds, but I want to fight at 135 and win a title there.  I want to win a title there and keep going after champion after champion.  Now that all that (uncertainty) is behind me I look forward to the next stage of my career.  This next stage of my career will be what people remember me for.”

 

“Mikey Garcia is a great fighter,” Rojas said. “I want to thank him for this opportunity.  We are both former WBC World Champions and I expect a great fight.  However, all of the talk surrounding this fight has been about Mikey’s comeback and his future plans.  I am no tune-up. This is also about me coming back and fighting again.  He may be looking past me, but I am fully focused on him and securing the victory.  I will do whatever I have to do to win, so I can move on and regain my world championship.”

 

Garcia (34-0, 28 KOs), of Ventura, Calif., is 28-years-old and in the prime of his career.  Once considered one of the top young boxers pound-for-pound in the world, he will make his first ring appearance since he retained the WBO 130-pound title with a 12-round unanimous decision overJuan Carlos Burgos on Jan. 25, 2014.  Garcia, the brother of renowned trainer Robert Garcia, has been victorious by knockout in 10 of his last 12 fights and holds impressive victories overRoman “Rocky” Martinez, Juan Manuel Lopez, Orlando Salido and Bernabe Concepcion.

 

Rojas (24-2, 14 KOs), of San Francisco de Macoris, Dominican Republic, won the WBC featherweight world championship in 2009 with a 12-round unanimous decision over defending titleholder Takahiro Ao in Japan.  The 33-year-old successfully defended the title against Guty Espadas Jr. in 2010, before losing the belt via unanimous decision to Jhonny Gonzalez in April 2012.  Since the loss to Gonzalez, Rojas moved up to lightweight, where he defeated Robert Osiobe in August 2014.

 

TONY HARRISON vs. SERGEY RABCHENKO:

“I’m thrilled to return to the ring on this big stage for my first fight in Brooklyn, and I’m ready to put on a show,” said Harrison. “Fighting for a world title is my dream and I know that I have a challenge in front of me. I’m working hard in camp to get another knockout and to make my mark on the division.”

 

“This is the start of realizing my dream,” Rabchenko said.  “America is the Mecca of boxing so it is a huge privilege for me to be asked to fight there. American fans like to see knockouts and I like to knock people out so I think they will like what they see. I think I can build a fan base there.  I am hungrier than ever. I have not seen much of Harrison, but I am ready for anyone. People say he is a very good fighter with good power. I’m not worried. I have good power as well and I think I will have too much for him.”

 

At just 25-years-old, Harrison (23-1, 19 KOs) has showed tremendous promise. He manufactured a 10-fight knockout streak from 2013 to 2015 and proved he could recover from a loss when he dominated Cecil McCalla for 10 rounds in October 2015 and stopped Fernando Guerrero in impressive fashion in March.

 

Fighting out of Belaraus, Rabchenko (27-1, 20 KOs) is looking to put himself squarely into world title contention when he makes his U.S. debut on July 30. The 30-year-old is coming off  stoppage victories over Walter Calvo in May 2015 and Miguel Aguilar in February.

 

SHOWTIME EXTREME:

 

PAULIE MALIGNAGGI vs. GABRIEL BRACERO:

“I feel truly blessed to have yet another opportunity to fight in Brooklyn,” Malignaggi said.  “I have known Tito a long time and I know he always comes to fight.  We will give the Brooklyn fans a great appetizer before the terrific main event later that night in Barclays Center.”

 

“I’m looking to make a statement by winning this fight,” said Bracero. “Paulie and I have been friends since the amateurs and I’m thankful to have this opportunity, but he’s had his run. Now it’s time for me to have mine. This fight is going to change my life.”

 

A former world champion at 140 and 147-pounds, the 35-year-old Malignaggi (35-7, 7 KOs) will return to the ring to fight at Barclays Center for the fifth time. He has faced a slew of big names throughout his career and has been victorious over the likes of Zab Judah, Vyacheslav Senchenko and Pablo Cesar Cano. Born and raised in the Bensonhurst neighborhood of Brooklyn, “The Magic Man” was victorious twice fighting in his birth country of Italy last year after unsuccessfully challenging unbeaten Danny Garcia in August.

 

Another Brooklyn-native, Bracero (24-2, 5 KOs) comes off of a sensational one-punch knockout of rival Danny O’Connor in their rematch last October. The 35-year-old owns victories over Dmitry Salita and Pavel Miranda in addition to his first triumph over the previously unbeaten O’Connor in 2011.

 

IVAN REDKACH vs. TEVIN FARMER:

“I am extremely happy to be back in the ring on a big show in New York,” Redkach said.  “There are so many Ukrainian fans in New York and I am thrilled to have their support and will put on a great show for them. I want to thank Leo Santa Cruz and his team for having me in their camp as we both prepare ourselves to put on tremendous performances come July 30.”

 

“I couldn’t be more excited about this fight,” Farmer said.  “This is my Barclays Center debut and it is going to be a spectacular performance.  I have called out anyone and everyone in the 130- pound division to no avail, so now I’m moving up to 135 to take on Redkach, one of the most feared punchers in the division. Redkach is an aggressive guy and I know he is coming to fight, but there is no way I leave that ring without my hand being raised.  This is a fight where I can and I will make a major statement.  I’m willing to fight whoever they put in front of me to inch closer to a world title opportunity and July 30 is another step in that direction.  I tip my hat off to Redkach for giving me this fight, but this is my time to shine.”

 

Born in Ukraine but fighting out of Los Angeles, Redkach (19-1-1, 15 KOs) began boxing at the age of six and has put together an impressive career since turning pro in 2009. The 30-year-old owns victories over Tony Luis, Sergey Gulyakevich and Yakubu Amidu. Most recently, Redkach knocked out Erick Daniel Martinez in October 2015 and fought to a draw with Luis Cruz in April.

 

Representing the fighting city of Philadelphia, Farmer (24-1-1, 5 KOs) has won 14 bouts in a row since losing to unbeaten world champion Jose Pedraza in 2012. The 25-year-old has come on strong in recent years, upsetting previously unbeaten fighters such as Emmanuel Gonzalez, Angel Luna and Camilo Perez. Farmer dominated veteran Gamaliel Diaz in March and will make his Barclays Center debut on July 30.

 

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Cyclone Promotions, start at $38 and can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, www.barclayscenter.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.

 

# # #

 

Barclays Center’s BROOKLYN BOXING™ programming platform is presented by AARP.  For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @LeoSantaCruz2, @RealCFrampton, @BarclaysCenter, and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/SHOSports, www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment, www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter. PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

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Undefeated and number-one ranked Julian “J Rock” Williams ready for Jermall Charlo next

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PHILADELPHIA (MAY 31, 2016)–On May 21, three of the four world championships in the hot junior middleweight division were contested as Erislandy Lara defended his WBA title with a unanimous decision over Vanes Martirosyan; Jermall Charlo defended his IBF title with a unanimous decision over former champion Austin Trout and Jermell Charlo scored a come-from-behind stoppage over John Jackson to capture the WBC belt.
Sitting ringside was IBF number-one ranked contender, undefeated Julian “J Rock”Williams.  Williams was a very interested observer and was interviewed on the SHOWTIME® broadcast with his thoughts on the happenings of the evening.
 
 “Jermell did his thing. I thought he was losing but Jermell has a clutch gene. He comes through in close fights. He knows what it’s like to be in tough. He’s doing well under Derrick James. He looked better on TV than he did live at the fight. He was losing but he was walking Jackson down. The sand was running out of the hour glass for Jackson. Jermell can punch better than his record indicates. And that style would be better for him because people always called him boring but it was nothing boring about the KO,” said Williams.
“Lara did what he always does. He boxed and moved and he won.”

” I honestly didn’t think Trout would last with Jermall. I was surprised at how competitive that fight was. Jermall has every advantage over Trout on paper but fights aren’t won on paper. Trout proved something. I was actually going to congratulate him but I heard him say to Jermall “smack J Rock for me”. I don’t know what’s up with these guys. He had a chance to fight me for a whole year and he asked another man to smack me. But that’s old news Trout is out of the picture.”

With that being, said the undefeated fighter from Philadelphia is focused in bring back the hardware back to the “City of Brotherly Love.”
“My focus is on Jermall Charlo. It’s going to be a great fight. I think he’s a heck of a fighter. This is legacy defining. This is a real number-one contender against a real champion. This is a real mandatory. This is like Bernard Hopkins having to defend against Jermain Taylor. Or Jermain Taylor having to defend against Kelly Pavlik. Or Felix Trinidad having to fight Oba Carr. This is a real fight and I’m excited. I’m excited to test my skills against one of the best young fighters in the game.
Even though, Williams was ringside, he just wanted to observe and take mental notes of the perspective future opponents.

“I didn’t get in the ring like Charles Hatley did because that’s not my style. Hatley is a talented fighter.  I remember him from the amateurs but to each his own. Jermall and Jermell deserve respect and most importantly I know the difference between the two brothers. Hatley got in the ring with Jermall who has to fight me, instead of Jermell who has to fight him. That was Jermall’s moment to shine he had just won a tough fight. Everybody knows he has to fight me. There would be no need for me to get in the ring.”

Even though Williams has been avoided, the powers that be in boxing can not keep Williams from realizing his dreams, and that opportunity will be coming sooner rather than later.

“From my understanding we have to come to an agreement in June. I believe in the IBF. They seem to enforce their mandatory bouts. The IBF did not rank me number-one, not to have me fight for their belt. Jermall said making weight wasn’t that bad. He hired a chef. I know he’s prideful. He’s a champion. He feels he’s better than me, I feel I’m better than him. There is only one way to prove it. Let’s fight.”

I can’t get into details but I believe the fight will be in September as the co- main to a BIG card. I’m super excited to finally get this opportunity.
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JULIAN WILLIAMS KNOCKS OUT MARCELLO MATANO,  CALLS OUT WORLD CHAMPION JERMALL CHARLO SATURDAY NIGHT ON SHOWTIME®

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Avantil Khurtsidze Shocks Previously Unbeaten Antoine Douglas,
Tony Harrison Dominates Fernando Guerrero In Action-Packed Tripleheader
 
Catch The SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION Replay
This Monday at 10 p.m. ET/PT On SHO EXTREME®
 
Click HERE For Photos From Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME
BETHLEHEM, PA. (March 6, 2016) – Julian Williams secured the IBF’s No. 1 position at 154 pounds and called out Junior Middleweight World Champion Jermall Charlo after an impressive seventh-round TKO of Italian Marcello Matano Saturday on SHOWTIME from Sands Bethlehem Events Center in Bethlehem, Pa.  VIDEO OF WILLIAMS CALLING OUT CHARLO:http://s.sho.com/1UJo5bp
The undefeated Philadelphia native put on a clinic, breaking down his opponent from the opening bell until referee Gary Rosato stepped in to protect a defenseless Matano (16-2, 5 KOs) at 2:24 of the seventh.  Williams (23-0-1, 14 KOs) utilized a steady diet of combos, jabs and body shots in the middle rounds to weaken Matano and set up the big shots to close the show in the seventh.  VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: http://s.sho.com/1QzbBBb
Williams landed 59 percent of his power shots, including a staggering 76 percent in the deciding seventh.
“Maybe people will think they saw a chink in the armor tonight,” Williams said.  “Maybe guys will come out from under the rock and get some of this West Philly work.
“Jermall has been watching my performances.  Him and his brother know exactly who I am.  He needs to fight or vacate now.  He needs to step up, but he’s already laying his groundwork and making excuses.
“Step up and fight me.  It’s two of the best junior middleweights in the world.  It’s about greatness.  I want to be great.  All of you turkeys at 154 pounds, let’s fight.”
After the fight, Matano took issue with the stoppage.
“He was pretty fast with his jab, but I felt like I was just getting into the fight,” Matano said.  “I felt the punch, but I felt like I could have kept going. I have a warrior heart and I never want to quit.
“I’m going to go back to Italy and take a little rest, then I’ll be right back in the gym.  It was a wonderful experience coming here to America. I got to fight a top-echelon fighter and I feel like I belong.”
Avtandil Khurtsidze, a human brick wall barreling forward, upset previously unbeaten middleweight contender Antoine Douglas with a thoroughly dominating 10th-round TKO.  VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS:http://s.sho.com/21er63g
The 35-year-old “mini-Mike Tyson” plowed forward from the opening bell until the TKO at 0:33 of the 10th.  The 6-foot Douglas had no answer for his 5-foot-4 opponent, a Brooklyn-based native of Georgia who is looking to become the first world champion from the former Soviet nation.
Khurtsidze (32-2-2, 21 KOs) hurt Douglas (19-1-1, 13 KOs) with a big left in the opening seconds of the third round, sending the 23-year-old face forward through the ropes.  Somehow, Douglas recovered from the first knockdown of his career and fought himself back into the fight.  The Washington, D.C., native rallied to win the fourth and the fifth rounds, and the all-action sixth could have gone either way.
Khurtsidze opened the seventh with a monstrous one-punch left to floor Douglas, who again somehow survived the round on failing legs as Khurtsidze threw over 100 total punches.  Khurtsidze, who showed unbelievable stamina to push the pressure throughout, started the 10th with a relentless attack, forcing referee Benjy Esteves to stop the fight at 0:33 of the with Douglas defenseless against the ropes.
“I knew he was going to get tired,” said Khurtsidze, who took the fight on less than three weeks notice.  “I felt like I was going to catch him. He’s a good fighter, but he’s not strong.
“I knew he was going to be hungry. But I also knew that I was going to beat him.  It was short notice but I did everything I could in the time we had. I stayed in the gym and stayed sharp.
“Whoever they put in front me, I’m ready for them. I love fighting. I’ll fight anybody.”
Douglas had entered the fight as a fast-rising 160-pounder on the cusp of a title shot.
“I feel OK,” Douglas told SHOWTME Sports analyst Steve Farhood after the fight.  “He definitely dictated.  He definitely had a better day today.  It’s not discouraging, we just weren’t able to execute.  Naturally, I’m crushed.  It’s back to the drawing board.”
In the opening bout of the telecast, middleweight contender Tony Harrison looked impressive in a sixth round TKO over former world title challenger Fernando Guerrero.
Harrison (23-1, 19 KOs) was the aggressor from the outset, jabbing at range to set up his favorite weapon – a powerful right.  The Detroit native floored Guerrero with a big right with 15 seconds to go in the second round.  The southpaw got up, but looked hurt and was saved by the bell.
Guerrero (28-4, 20 KOs) had his moments in the fourth and fifth rounds after some heedful advice from his corner, but he couldn’t get inside to escape Harrison’s powerful right. It was a clean left hook midway through the sixth that ultimately finished Guerrero.  After Harrison dropped Guerrero with the left, the Dominican Republic native beat the count but had no legs and went back to the canvas after four more consecutive shots from Harrison, forcing referee Gary Rosato to stop the bout at 1:56 of the sixth.
“I threw punches back and I finished the rounds stronger than him,” said Harrison, who landed 57 percent of his power shots.  “I dominated the fight.  My dad kept telling me to put the hook behind the right hand and if I had listened to him better I could have gotten the knockout much quicker.
“I was backing him up.  My game plan was to take advantage of the fact that southpaws don’t fight well going backwards.  I tried to just keep putting him back and discouraging him. I told everyone I was taking the fight to him. What’s not to like about me? I’m exciting.
“I want big fights, I want to go back to Detroit and I want the Willie Nelson rematch.”
Said Guerrero: “I wasn’t on today.  He wasn’t faster than me, stronger than me or more skilled. I just locked up. I wasn’t listening to my corner, I didn’t do anything tonight.
“It just happens. Sometimes you have a bad day. Today was as bad as I could ever imagine.
“We’ll go back to the drawing board.  I didn’t do what I was supposed to do. We trained so hard. He wasn’t as fast or strong as we thought he’d be. Today was a bad day for me to have a bad day.”
# # #
For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports and www.sandseventcenter.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @JRockBoxing, @Action_Douglas,  @IAmBoxing, @FernandoDomini, @TheSBEC and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports
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JULIAN WILLIAMS OPENS UP IN ADVANCE OF HIS SATURDAY, MARCH 5 FIGHT AGAINST MARCELLO MATANO LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

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“Each fight, I just want to be better than the last fight … I want to go down as the best junior middleweight to ever lace up a pair of gloves.”

 

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I AM A FIGHTER: JULIAN WILLIAMS

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From a single parent household in West Philadelphia, life has always been tough for Julian Williams. At a young age, he was constantly getting into fights with his brothers and at school, until he set foot in the gym at age 12 and unveiled his love for boxing. Williams has set his goals high and is determined to set records and break barriers while giving his all on each on of his fights.

 

“Each fight, I just want to be better than the last fight and I’m on the cusp of being a contender and getting the title shot. When I win the title, I want to break the title defense record which is held by Terry Norris. I want to go down as the best junior middleweight to ever lace up a pair of gloves.”

 

Check out this I AM A FIGHTER feature on Julian Williams, the undefeated super welterweight who is up against Marcello Matano in an IBF Super Welterweight Eliminator bout tomorrow night in the main event of SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION, live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

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JULIAN WILLIAMS VS. MARCELLO MATANO FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & PHOTOS

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BETHLEHEM, PA. (March 3, 2016) – Undefeated top contender Julian “J-Rock” Williams and Italy’sMarcello Matano went face-to-face for the first time Thursday at the final press conference before they meet with the IBF’s No. 1 spot at 154-pounds on the line this Saturday, March 5 live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT) from Sands Bethlehem Events Center in Bethlehem, Pa.
Saturday’s SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION® tripleheader features middleweight matchups between rising contender Antoine Douglas and Avtandil Khurtsidze and exciting Detroit prospect Tony Harrison against former title challenger Fernando Guerrero.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions, are priced at $100, $75 and $50, not including applicable service charges and taxes and are on sale now. Tickets are available HEREat www.ticketmaster.com. To charge by phone call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.
Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday:
JULIAN WILLIAMS
“I want to thank Matano and his team for coming all the way over here. We’ve had a difficult time getting opponents for different reasons, but I’m excited to headline this stacked card.
“When I win this fight I’ll be able to accomplish my dream of being a world champion. It’s one step closer.
“I’m going to attack the head and body as much as I can. I’ve got enough film on him to see what he’s got. He’s pretty solid. He got better each time out. But those guys in Italy don’t have the skills that I have. I think he’s going to bring it for as long as he can handle it.
“He’s an awkward fighter. He’s definitely a boxer and he can be a little skittish in the ring. I know I’ve fought the better competition and I’ve trained my hardest for this.
“I’m ready to make a statement. I’m not worried about a knockout. However the win comes, it’s great. I’m just looking to win and beat him down.
“I’m expecting a good Philadelphia crowd to be out here supporting me. Ninety percent of my career I’ve been on the West Coast and other places. But now fighting in front of my hometown fans, there’s nothing better. It’s perfect.”
MARCELLO MATANO
“I feel very good. I’ve been here since Friday so I have gotten used to the time zone difference and I’m ready to fight. My American experience is just starting and I’m looking forward to it.
“It’s been a hard two months of training for this fight. This is by far the most important fight of my career so I’ve trained even harder than I usually do.
“I know that Julian Williams is a top-notch athlete and that he is coming to give his best, just like I am. It’s going to be an exciting fight because we both want to get to the top.
“I can adapt myself to any opponent. I can be a boxer or I can be a brawler. But in my heart, I am a warrior and I will come forward all fight. I am coming to leave that ring victorious.
“This is a dream come true to come here to the United States. I’ve always worked hard and it’s gotten me here. I will put all of my heart into the ring on Saturday night.”
ANTOINE DOUGLAS
“You can always look forward to an action-packed fight when I step into the ring. I have an admirable opponent who I know is coming to fight.
“I’ve grown into this role and into who I am. If you asked me earlier in my career, I would have never thought I’d be here. This is great and it comes from all the hard work I’ve put in over the years.
“You will see my growth Saturday night in the ring. I plan on being victorious. The work I put in won’t let me be any less than that. I’m looking forward to the action.
“I have a very strong opponent and I think it will make for a more exciting fight than Sam Soliman.
“I just always have to be prepared for whatever is thrown at me.  This is boxing – there are no guarantees.  We just have to be prepared for everything and do our best.
“The styles of Soliman and Khurtsidze are completely different, but we always base our offense and defense off a fighting at range and working the jab.  I’m not going in blind – I’ve faced opponents who come forward.  We’ll be ready for him and ready to make the adjustments in the ring.
“A win on Saturday will definitely put me in a position for a title shot.  We just take it day-by-day.  It’s not about looking at future opponents. We take each step successfully and see where it puts us.”
AVTANDIL KHURTSIDZE
“I’m very happy to be here and I’m grateful for the opportunity. I’m fighting a very strong fighter. Once I step into the ring I’m expecting a good challenge and I can’t wait for Saturday night.
“Everything in training went well. We’ve trained really hard and we’re ready for Saturday night.
“Douglas is a good fighter. He’s a good boxer and he has a good left hook. But none of that means anything until you get in the ring.
“Once I step into the ring, I will bring 100 percent. I am not going to stop swinging until Douglas goes down.”
FERNANDO GUERRERO
“We’re ready to fight. We had a great training camp and there’s not too much to say. It’s warrior time.
“I’ve been through my ups and downs, but I’m still here and I’m not going anywhere. This is for my whole nation, everyone in the Dominican Republic who is watching. You have to step in that ring for something.
“This isn’t a game. This is the only sport that you cannot play. I’m going to make this one of those fights that will be one of the best of the year. It will either be the best knockout or the best fight of the year. This is going to be memorable.
“This is the kind of opponent who will bring out the best of me. Everybody has to watch out for me. I’m coming to make a statement on Saturday.”
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