Tag Archives: Maciej Sulecki

Murat Gassiev Training Camp Notes

 
IBF Cruiserweight Champion Takes on Former Champion Krzysztof Wlodarczyk in World Boxing Super Series Cruiserweight Quarter-final Saturday, October 21 from Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
& on AUDIENCE Network
 
NEWARK, N.J. (October 10, 2017) – IBF Cruiserweight World Champion Murat “Iron” Gassiev shared his thoughts from training camp in Big Bear, Calif., as fight week nears for his World Boxing Super Series quarter-final showdownSaturday, October 21 against Krzysztof Wlodarczyk from Prudential Center in Newark, N.J and on AUDIENCE Network.
Gassiev first arrived to train in the U.S. in 2014 and has worked with the renowned Abel Sanchez, eventually capturing his title with a victory over Denis Lebedev in December 2016.
“Abel is an amazing guy and he has pushed me very hard in the gym,” said Gassiev. “He’s really a father figure here in the gym. I have so much respect for him and the way that he treats people. The best thing that I ever did was come here to train with Abel Sanchez.
“We have very hard and intense training, but this is not ballet. He’s preparing me for battle and I trust that he knows exactly what we need to do to have success.”
“There are no world champions in my gym,” said Sanchez. “Your belts stay at home. My gym is just a place to work and get better. I can already see the improvements in this training camp for Gassiev. He had Lebedev down but didn’t finish him. Moments like that, you have to finish the job.”
The 23-year-old from Vladikavkaz, Russia had a winding road to success in the squared circle, but quickly embraced the sport upon picking it up at 15-years-old.
“Boxing was actually not my first sport,” said Gassiev. “My city has produced lots of Olympic and world champion wrestlers, so that was my first sport. Then I tried soccer, but that wasn’t quite right either. One day I went to a boxing gym with my friend and right away I knew, this was what I needed. Eight years later, and I’m very happy where I am.”
Gassiev has trained alongside the likes of middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin up in the unique atmosphere and altitude of Big Bear.
“It’s very important to be in a place like this because the only focus is training,” said Gassiev. “This is what we do all day. This is exactly what I need to be at my best and win this tournament. I don’t see my family for a long time, but it’s part of my life. This is my business and I’m doing all of this for my family.
“We have a very diverse group of fighters here in Big Bear. We’re all family and support each other. It’s been a great experience for me and I’ve learned a lot about different cultures.
“Some guys who come in for sparring in Big Bear really don’t anticipate how the altitude changes things. They think they can fight 10 rounds, but after three it is too much. This is the best place to prepare for tough fights.”
“This has been a really smooth camp,” said Sanchez. “I haven’t had any more problems with sparring partners vanishing after a couple days in the ring with Gassiev. We have the tools to make him even better than in his last performance.”
The winner of the Gassiev vs. Wlodarczyk fight will meet WBA champion Yunier Dorticos in a unification showdown in the WBSS semi-finals. However, Gassiev knows he cannot look past the two-time champion standing in his way in the quarter-finals.
“I know that I have to prepare myself for a tough fight,” said Gassiev. “I’m facing an experienced fighter and it’ll be a great test for my career. I’m ready for this.
“I have worked hard in this sport to become a world champion. I believed in myself and in my team. This tournament gives me the opportunity to be a unified champion and to fight the best fighters to prove it. I will show everyone who I am.”
“This tournament is a peculiar beast and there are no second chances,” said Sanchez. “I’ve always hoped for a great tournament where each fight is tougher than the last. I have big respect for Wlodarczyk and his trainer, but Gassiev has to knock him out if the chance arrives. I’m expecting this to be another great experience for Gassiev.”
Promoted by Ringstar Sports in association with World Boxing Super Series, tickets for the live event are on sale now and are available atTicketmaster.com. Tickets are also available to purchase at the Prudential Center box office.
Featured bouts on October 21 will see Polish contender Mateusz Masternak facing once-beaten Stivens Bujaj in a WBSS cruiserweight reserve match and unbeaten Polish contender Maciej Sulecki taking on former title challenger Jack Culcay.
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For more information visit worldboxingsuperseries.com or www.ringstar.com

Follow on Twitter @WBsuperSeries@Ringstar and become a fan on Facebook at facebook.com/WBSuperSeries and facebook.com/RingstarSports. Tonight’s fight was promoted by Ringstar Sports in association with World Boxing Super Series.

WORLD BOXING SUPER SERIES FIXTURES

14/10/17 – Super Middleweight Quarter-Final:
George Groves vs. Jamie Cox (WBA Super)
The SSE Arena, Wembley, London, United Kingdom

21/10/17 – Cruiserweight Quarter-Final:
Murat Gassiev vs. Krzysztof Wlodarczyk (IBF World)
Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey, USA

27/10/17 – Super Middleweight Quarter-Final:
Juergen Braehmer vs. Rob Brant

Kongresshalle in Schwerin, Germany

WORLD BOXING SUPER SERIES AT A GLANCE
Number of participants: 16
Number of belts: 7
Number of world champions: 6
Number of former world champions: 3
Number of undefeated fighters: 9
Combined Record of participants: 423 wins, 17 losses, 294 KOs

Unbeaten New Jersey Prospect Julian Rodriguez Competes in Welterweight Attraction that Highlights Undercard Action Saturday, October 21 at Prudential Center in Newark N.J.

 
Plus! 2016 Olympians Eimantas Stanionis, Efe Ajagba & Unbeaten Prospect Money Powell IV Compete in Separate Bouts
NEWARK, N.J. (October 9, 2017) – Local prospect Julian Rodriguez (16-0, 10 KOs) returns to the ring as the New Jersey-native defends his perfect record in a six-round welterweight bout that highlights an exciting night of undercard attractions on Saturday, October 21 from Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
Promoted by Ringstar Sports in association with World Boxing Super Series, tickets for the live event are on sale now and are available atTicketmaster.com. Tickets are also available to purchase at the Prudential Center box office.
The October 21 event is headlined by the World Boxing Super Series cruiserweight quarterfinal showdown between IBF Champion Murat Gassievand former cruiserweight world champion Krzysztof Wlodarczyk live on AUDIENCE Network. Featured bouts also include Polish contender Mateusz Masternak facing once-beaten Stivens Bujaj in a WBSS cruiserweight reserve match and unbeaten Polish contender Maciej Sulecki taking on former title challenger Jack Culcay.
Also competing in undercard bouts are 2016 Lithuanian Olympian Eimantas Stanionis (3-0, 3 KOs), who enters the ring for an eight-round welterweight fight, 2016 Nigerian Olympian Efe Ajaba (1-0, 1 KO) in a six-round heavyweight showdown and rising unbeaten prospect Money Powell IV (4-0, 3 KOs) against Detroit’s Antonio Urista (9-2, 2 KOs) in a six-round super welterweight affair.
Rounding out the night of fights is powerful super welterweight Skender Halili(14-2, 13 KOs) of Kosovo in a six-round bout against Samuel Amoako (19-15, 16 KOs) and Nigerian cruiserweight Efetobor Apochi (2-0, 2 KOs) in a four-round fight against Lawrence Gabriel (1-1-1).
Representing Hasbrouck Heights, N.J., Rodriguez had a stellar amateur career that included a 2013 National Golden Gloves title, a 2012 U.S. Amateur Championships silver medal and a spot as an alternate on the 2012 U.S. Olympic team. The 22-year-old has continued to impress since turning pro in 2013, delivering knockouts in nine of his first 10 fights. Rodriguez has picked up victories over Jerry Belmontes and Dario Ferman in 2017 and will fight in his home state for the first time since he stopped Peter Oluoch in round one at Prudential Center in May 2015.
An accomplished amateur representing Kaunas, Lithuania, Stanionis is looking to become the next Eastern European fighter to make a splash in the U.S. The 23-year-old had a 141-19 record as an amateur and earned four senior national championships before winning gold at the European Olympic Qualifier to earn his trip to the 2016 Games. A gold medalist at welterweight at the 2015 European Amateur Boxing Championships, Stanionis has impressed with knockouts in his first three starts since turning pro in April, including a first round destruction of Oscar Valenzuela in September.
The 23-year-old Ajagba is set to turn pro after beating the odds and making the 2016 Rio Olympics to represent his native Nigeria. Although he lost in the quarterfinals, Ajagba made a splash by delivering a highlight reel knockout in his opening bout against Trinidad and Tobago. The fighter known as “King Kong” also won an African games gold medal during his impressive amateur career delivered a first round knockout in his pro debut in July.
Born in Germany, where his former boxer father was stationed in the military, Powell IV dedicated himself to boxing for good when his family moved back to the U.S. in 2011. The 19-year-old has quickly made a name for himself since then, winning the 2016 Youth Welterweight National Championship to earn the top ranking in the 152-pound division by USA Boxing. Fighting out of Fort Mitchell, on the state line of Alabama and Georgia, Powell has scored stoppage victories in three of his four pro victories.
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For more information visit worldboxingsuperseries.com or www.ringstar.com

Follow on Twitter @WBsuperSeries@Ringstar and become a fan on Facebook at facebook.com/WBSuperSeries and facebook.com/RingstarSports. Tonight’s fight was promoted by Ringstar Sports in association with World Boxing Super Series.

WORLD BOXING SUPER SERIES FIXTURES

14/10/17 – Super Middleweight Quarter-Final:
George Groves vs. Jamie Cox (WBA Super)
The SSE Arena, Wembley, London, United Kingdom

21/10/17 – Cruiserweight Quarter-Final:
Murat Gassiev vs. Krzysztof Wlodarczyk (IBF World)
Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey, USA

27/10/17 – Super Middleweight Quarter-Final:
Juergen Braehmer vs. Rob Brant

Kongresshalle in Schwerin, Germany

WORLD BOXING SUPER SERIES AT A GLANCE
Number of participants: 16
Number of belts: 7
Number of world champions: 6
Number of former world champions: 3
Number of undefeated fighters: 9
Combined Record of participants: 423 wins, 17 losses, 294 KOs

ABOUT THE WORLD BOXING SUPER SERIES
Organized by Comosa AG, the World Boxing Super Series will kick off in September 2017, featuring the Cruiserweight and Super Middleweight divisions. In each weight class, eight elite boxers will battle it out in a bracket-style elimination tournament, with four quarter-finals (fall 2017), two semi-finals (early 2018) and one final (May 2018). This makes for seven top fights per weight class, and a total of 14 fights in Season One to be staged in premier venues around the globe. The winners of the World Boxing Super Series will rightfully receive The Greatest Prize in Boxing, the Muhammad Ali Trophy. Please visit our website WorldBoxingSuperSeries.com for more information or follow @WBSuperSeries on TwitterFacebook, or Instagram.

Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Avni Yildirim WBSS super middleweight quarterfinals

         
Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Avni Yildirim
IBO Super Middleweight World Championship
LIVE ON SUPER CHANNEL IN CANADA
2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT
 
Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017 * Stuttgart, Germany
AIRING LIVE IN CANADA THIS SATURDAY
EXCLUSIVELY ON SUPER CHANNEL
  (photo courtesy of World Boxing Super Series)
 
EDMONTON, Canada (October 4, 2017) – The spotlight shifts back to the super division for this Saturday’s World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) tournament when International Boxing Organization (IBO) Super Middleweight World Champion Chris “Next Gen” Eubank Jr. defends his title against undefeated challenger Avni “Mr. Robot” Yildirim in quarterfinals action, airing live in Canada exclusively on Super Channel from Hanns-Martin-Schleyer in Stuttgart, Germany.
The “Eubank Jr. vs. Yildirm” card, starting at 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT,keeps Canadian boxing fans at ringside during the entire $50-million WBSS tournament, live this weekend from Germany and exclusively on Super Channel, which acquired the rights in Canada to broadcast the World Boxing Super Series from MP & Silva, a leading international media company that provides media rights, digital, technology and sponsorship services.
The 28-year-old Eubank Jr. (25-1, 19 KOs), fighting out of the United Kingdom, is managed by his father, Chris “Simply The Best” Eubank (45-5-2, 23 KOs), who is a former World Boxing Organization (WBO super middleweight champion.
In 2015, Eubank Jr. stopped Tony Jeter (20-4-1) in the second round to capture the Interim World Boxing Association (WBA) middleweight crown. Eubank Jr. captured his IBO title this past February, knocking out Renold Quinlan (11-0) in the 10th round. In his most recent action, the skilled Brit won a 12-round unanimous decision over multiple world champion Arthur Abraham (46-5) in his first and only world title defense to date.
“This is the first fight for me in this tournament and I am here to make a statement,” Eubank Jr. said. “I am the man; I’m the man to beat. There will be no mercy for Yildirim. I am here to win, I am not here to make friends. I am not here to look pretty and be a celebrity, I am here in this tournament to become the champion.
I am very much looking forward to this fight. I think it is a great match-up. Styles make fights and the reason I picked this man at the Draft Gala is that he is a fighter. He comes forward. He is very active, he is very open, he takes risks, which he will pay for this fight. I can’t wait!
“I have a goal. I have a challenge that I have to complete and that is to win the Muhammad Ali Trophy and prove that I am the best in the world.”
Upset-minded Yildirim (16-0, 10 KOs). 26, is the reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) International Silver super middleweight champion, which he originally captured two years ago, taking a 10-round decision from former world champion Glen Johnson (54-20-2). Yidirim has successfully defended his title five times against Janne Forsman(KO1), Walter Sequeira (17-2), Jackson Junior (KO2), Schiller Hyppolite (TKO3),Aliaksandr Sushchyts (KO12) and Marco Antonio Periban (DEC12).
“This tournament is a chance for me to fight the best in the world,” Yildirim commented. “It is an honor for me. I am here to destroy everyone in the tournament. I am not an Instagram or Facebook fighter like Eubank Jr. I am Avni Yildirim and I am here to destroy. I will do anything to win this fight and win this tournament. I feel good. I am very prepared. Let’s fight!”
Five exciting bouts on the “Eubank Jr. vs. Yildirim” card, promoted by Sauerland Event, will air in Canada exclusively on Super Channel. The Eubank Jr. vs. Yildirim main event is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT.
 
In the 10-round co-featured event, Germany’s undefeated prospect Stefan Haertel (14-0, 1 KOs) faces Ukrainian challenger Viktor Polyakov (13-1-1, 6 KOs) in a WBSS super middleweight substitute fight.
Other televised fights on Super Channel includes International Boxing Federation (IBF) Youth super middleweight champion Leon Bauer (12-0, 8 KOs) vs. Atin Karabet (3-1, 2 KOs), of Germany, in the six-round televised opener, German super middleweightDenis Radovan (6-0) vs. German Tiran Metz (14-2-4, 6 KOs) in an eight-round bout, and undefeated British super middleweight Zach Parker (13-0, 10 KOs) vs. Matingu “Zulu King” Kindele (9-6, 3 KOs) in an eight-round match
All fights and fighters are subject to change.
 
WBSS RESULTS & UPCOMING EVENTS ON SUPER CHANNEL
 
Sept. 9 – Cruiserweight Quarter-Final in Berlin, Germany
WBO Cruiserweight World Championship 
 
Oleksandr Usyk (13-0, 11 KOs), Kiev, Ukraine
WTKO10
Marco Huck (40-5-1, 27 KOs), Berlin, Germany
(Usyk retained WBO cruiserweight title)
 
Sept. 16 – Super Middleweight Quarter-Final in Liverpool, UK
WBC Super Middleweight Diamond Championship
Callum Smith (23-0, 17 KOs), Liverpool, Merseyside, UK
WDEC12
Erik Skoglund (26-1, 12 KOs), Nykoping, Sweden
(Smith won WBC Diamond super middleweight title)
Sept. 23 – Cruiserweight Quarter-Final in San Antonio, Texas, USA
Yunier Dorticos (21-0, 20 KOs), Miami, Florida, USA by way of Cuba
WKO2.
Dmitry Kudryashov (21-1, 21 KOs), Challenger, Volgodonsk, Russia
(Dorticos retained WBA cruiserweight title)
 
Sept. 30 – Cruiserweight Quarter-Final in Riga, Latvia
Mairis Briedis (23-0, 18 KOs), Champion, Riga, Latvia
WDEC12
Mike Perez (22-3-1, 14 KOs), Challenger, Cork, Ireland by way of Cuba
(Briedis retained WBC cruiserweight title)
 
October 14, 2017 – Super Middleweight Quarter-Final:
The SSE Arena, Wembley, London, United Kingdom
WBA Super Middleweight World Championship
“Saint” George Groves (26-3, 19 KOs), Champion, Hammersmith, London, UK – The Ring #3
vs.
Jamie Cox (24-0, 13 KOs), Swinton, Wiltshire, UK

October 21, 2017 — Cruiserweight Quarter-Finals: 
Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey, USA

IBF Cruiserweight World Championship
“Iron” Murat Gassiev (24-0, 17 KOs), Champion, Vladikavkaz, Russia – The Ring #2
vs.
Krzysztof “Diablo” Wlodarczyk (53-3-1, 37 KOs), Challenger, Piaseczno, Poland – The Ring 10
Former IBF & WBC Cruiserweight World Champion

October 27, 2017 – Super Middleweight Quarter-Finals:

Sport and Kongresshalle in Schwerin, Germany

Juergen Braehmer (48,3 35 KOs), Schwerin, Mecklenburg-Vorpommem, Germany
Former WBO & WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion
vs.
Rob “Bravo” Brant

(22-0, 15 KOs), Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
 
SEMIFINALS
 
Cruiserweights
Usyk vs. Briedis, Dorticos vs. Gassiev/Wlodarczyk winner
 
Super Middleweights
Smith vs. Eubank/Yildirim winner, Groves/Cox winner vs. Braehmer/Brant winner
All WBSS fights will also be available on Super Channel On Demand.
Super Channel has recently aired major boxing events live like Brook vs. Spence Jr., Pacquiao-Horn, Eubank, Jr. vs. Abraham, Lomachenko vs.Marriaga and Crawford vs. Indongo.
To watch all the World Boxing Super Series action live, as well as more exciting boxing to come, fight fans in Canada can contact their local cable provider to subscribe to Super Channel and all that it offers, including premium series, movies and much more, for as low as $9.95 per month.

Polish Contender Mateusz Masternak Meets Once-Beaten Stivens Bujaj in World Boxing Super Series Cruiserweight Reserve Match Saturday, October 21 at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

 
Plus! Unbeaten Polish Super Welterweight Maciej Sulecki Takes On Former Title Challenger Jack Culcay
 
Headlined by Cruiserweight Champion Murat Gassiev Battling Former Champion Krzysztof Wlodarczyk 
in WBSS Quarter-final Action
 
NEWARK, N.J. (September 27, 2017) – Hard-hitting Polish contender Mateusz Masternak (39-4, 26 KOs) will battle once-beaten Stivens Bujaj (16-1-1, 11 KOs) in a 10-round World Boxing Super Series cruiserweight reserve match on Saturday, October 21 at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
Additional action will feature a 10-round super welterweight bout between unbeaten Polish contender Maciej Sulecki (25-0, 10 KOs) and former title challenger Jack Culcay (22-2, 11 KOs).
The October 21 event is headlined by IBF champion Murat “Iron” Gassiev and former world champion Krzysztof Wlodarczyk squaring-off in World Boxing Super Series cruiserweight quarter-final action.
“This is going to be a fantastic show for fans to come out and get a night full of action on October 21 in Newark, New Jersey,” said Richard Schaefer, Chairman and CEO of Ringstar Sports. “Polish pride will be in full force as Mateusz Masternak and undefeated Maciej Sulecki take on tough opponents in important matchups as they chase their world title aspirations. This of course will all lead up to the main event and the final World Boxing Super Series cruiserweight quarter-final pitting the champion Murat Gassiev against the former champion from Poland,Krzysztof Wlodarczyk.”
Promoted by Ringstar Sports in association with World Boxing Super Series, tickets for the live event are on sale now and are available atTicketmaster.com. Tickets are also available to purchase at the Prudential Center box office.
“In my top form I know that I can beat better fighters than Bujaj,” said Masternak. “I don’t think he can hurt me. Every fight is important, boxing teaches you that every day. But Bujaj is a stepping stone for me to bigger fights. He is saying that he beat me in sparring a few years ago, but how well could it have gone if he departed faster than he arrived? I have no time to make a mistake and lose a fight like this so I will be ready for anything when we enter the ring.”
Fighting out of Wroclaw, Poland, Masternak has fought a slew of top champions and challengers in the cruiserweight division and enters this fight the winner of his last three contests. The 30-year-old has battled Tony Bellew, Grigory Drozd and Youri Kalenga while also picking up the European cruiserweight championship with a victory over Juho Haapoja. Masternak has fought in nine countries throughout his career and returns to the fight the U.S. for the first time since his fourth pro bout in 2006.
“Get ready to see the best Stivens Bujaj ever,” said Bujaj. “I’ve been training two, sometimes three times a day. I’ve been in this sport since I was 15 years old, and it all comes down to this moment. This is my world championship. It’s going to be the fight of my life and I’m ready to do whatever it takes. I’ve sparred Masternak before and I dominated for eight rounds and they sent me home. I’m ready to finish what I started onOctober 21!”
An Albanian fighter living in New York, Bujaj was a two-time New York Golden Gloves champion before turning pro in 2010 and going unbeaten in his first 18 pro bouts. The 27-year-old won three times in 2016, including a victory over then unbeaten Sergio Ramirez before dropping a bout to undefeated Constantin Bejenaru. Bujaj has been hampered by injuries during his career but returns to the ring healthy and ready to resume his climb to the top of the division.
Representing Warsaw, Poland, Sulecki pulled off his most impressive victory to date last year when he stopped then unbeaten contender Hugo Centeno Jr. in the 10th and final round of their fight. The 28-year-old has picked up victories over Damiam Bonelli and Michi Munoz since then as he seeks a world title at 154-pounds. Sulecki will return to Prudential Center for the second time after knocking out Jose Miguel Berrio in 2015 at the venue in Newark.
Culcay was originally born in Ecuador but grew up in Germany and in 2008 he represented the Germans at the 2008 Olympics. The 32-year-old was dominant in winning his first 14 pro fights and picking up the WBA inter-continental super welterweight title. Culcay put together another seven-fight winning streak and won the WBA interim super welterweight title before dropping a world title bout to Demetrius Andrade by close split-decision in March.
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For more information visit worldboxingsuperseries.com or www.ringstar.com

Follow on Twitter @WBsuperSeries, @Ringstar and become a fan on Facebook at facebook.com/WBSuperSeries and facebook.com/RingstarSports. Tonight’s fight was promoted by Ringstar Sports in association with World Boxing Super Series.

WORLD BOXING SUPER SERIES FIXTURES

30/09/17 – Cruiserweight Quarter-Final: 
Mairis Briedis vs. Mike Perez (WBC World)
Riga Arena, Riga, Latvia

07/10/17 – Super Middleweight Quarter-Final:
Chris Eubank Jr vs. Avni Yildirim (IBO World)
Hanns-Martin-Schleyer Halle, Stuttgart, Germany

14/10/17 – Super Middleweight Quarter-Final:
George Groves vs. Jamie Cox (WBA Super)
The SSE Arena, Wembley, London, United Kingdom

21/10/17 – Cruiserweight Quarter-Final:
Murat Gassiev vs. Krzysztof Wlodarczyk (IBF World)
Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey, USA

28/10/17 – Super Middleweight Quarter-Final:
Juergen Braehmer vs. Rob Brant

Kongresshalle in Schwerin, Germany

WORLD BOXING SUPER SERIES AT A GLANCE
Number of participants: 16
Number of belts: 7
Number of world champions: 6
Number of former world champions: 3
Number of undefeated fighters: 9
Combined Record of participants: 423 wins, 17 losses, 294 KOs

Undefeated Contender Hugo Centeno Jr. Battles Unbeaten Polish Contender Maciej Sulecki in Premier Boxing Champions on NBCSN Action On Saturday, June 18 From UIC Pavilion in Chicago at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT Following PBC on NBC Tripleheader

 
Plus! Top Prospects Alex Martin, Jose Quezada & Ramiro Carrillo.
Featured On Stacked Undercard
 
CHICAGO (June 10, 2016) – Unbeaten contenders Hugo “The Boss” Centeno Jr.(24-0, 12 KOs) and Maciej Sulecki (22-0, 8 KOs) will meet in a 10-round middleweight bout that highlights Premier Boxing Champions on NBCSN action on Saturday, June 18 from UIC Pavilion in Chicago.
The June 18 event features a primetime Premier Boxing Champions on NBCtripleheader that is headlined by Polish star Andrzej Fonfara against hard-hitting New Yorker Joe Smith Jr. Televised coverage begins at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT and features the bantamweight world title rematch between Juan Carlos Payano and Rau’Shee Warren plus undefeated rising star Erickson Lubin against Mexico’s Daniel Sandoval.
PBC action will switch over to NBCSN at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT. Additional fights airing on NBCSN will depend on which fights fit into the primetime broadcast.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Warriors Boxing and Star Boxing, are priced at $201, $101, $61 and $41, not including applicable service charges, and are on sale now. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or UIC Pavilion Box Office at (312) 413-5740. Tickets are also available at www.ticketmaster.com or by visiting the UIC Pavilion Box Office (Thursday or Friday9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.).
Undercard action features a bevy of Chicago prospects as unbeaten welterweight Alex Martin (12-0, 5 KOs) takes on Dominican Juan Carlos Abreu (19-2-1, 18 KOs) in an eight-round bout, Jose Quezada (10-0, 6 KOs) competes in a six-round super lightweight bout against Hawaii’s Cameron Krael (8-10-2, 1 KO) and Ramiro Carrillo(10-0, 7 KOs) enters the ring in an eight-round super lightweight bout.
Rounding out the night of fights are two more Chicago prospects as lightweight Josh Hernandez (2-0, 2 KOs) competes in a four-round showdown against Puerto Rico’s Eric Gotay (3-3, 1 KO) while Chicago’s Jessica McCaskill (1-0, 1 KO) faces Katonya Fisher in a four round lightweight bout.
Oxnard, California’s Centeno had long been one of boxing’s top prospects with victories over Ayi Bruce, Keandre Leatherwood, Angel Osuna and Gerardo Ibarra. In December 2014 he faced his stiffest test to date against James De La Rosa and passed with flying colors, scoring a spectacular fifth-round knockout. The 25-year-old has followed that up with victories over Lukasz Maciec and Josue Ovando heading into this June 18 showdown.
Fighting in the U.S. for the fourth straight time, the 27-year-old Sulecki most recently stopped Derrick Findley in the seventh round in January. Before coming to the U.S., Sulecki picked up impressive victories over previously unbeaten Robert Swierzbinski, former world title challenger Grzegorz Proksa and Lukasz Wawrzyczek. The fighter out of Warsaw, Poland was a three-time Polish Junior tournament champion and accumulated a 110-30 amateur record.
follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @Andrzej_Fonfara, @JC_Payano, @RausheeWarren, @EricksonHammerL, @WarriorsBoxProm, @StarBoxing and @NBCSports and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxing,www.Facebook.com/WarriorsBoxingPromo, wwwFacebook.com/StarBoxing andwww.Facebook.com/NBCSports. Highlights available at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions. PBC on NBC is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.