Tag Archives: Montreal

Adonis Stevenson vs. Thomas Williams Jr. PBC on Spike Official Weights, Weigh-In Photos & Fight Week Quotes

Please see below for the official weights along with fight week quotes from Adonis Stevenson and Thomas Williams Jr. heading into tomorrow’s Premier Boxing Champions on Spike main event live from Montreal.

Click HERE For Photos From Dave Nadkarni/Premier Boxing Champions

ADONIS STEVENSON – 173.6 lbs
”Welcome to Québec City Thomas. I saw your fight against Edwin Rodriguez. It was a nice performance with a beautiful KO. When I saw that bout, I told myself I wanted that fight with you. I knew I was going to be motivated.
”I know Williams hits hard and that he has a name now in the United States, but I keep the same Kronk Gym mentality Emmanuel Steward taught me: we go for the KO. It is also the birthday of my daughter and I want to offer her a KO, I am motivated. This will be exciting…don’t blink!”
THOMAS WILLIAMS JR. – 174.6 lbs
”You don’t know what I have been through to be here. Tweets, talks and predictions won’t mean nothing Friday night: facts will. There will be a new champion.”
ELEIDER ALVAREZ – 179.4 lbs
”With only a 10 day notice, I am really happy to face a fighter of such a high caliber. Berridge is a tough guy who faced good names like Thomas Oosthuizen and Blake Caparello, but I prepared really hard for Chad Dawson. I am ready.”
 
ROBERT BERRIDGE – 178.4 lbs
”I am excited to be here and to face a solid boxer. Expect a good performance from me on Friday.’
IMMANUWEL ALEEM – 160.4 lbs
 
DEMOND NICHOLSON – 160.4 lbs
For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com,www.groupeyvonmichel.ca, andwww.spike.com/shows/premier-boxing-champions, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @AdonisSuperman, @TopDoggJr, @yvonmichelgym @SpikeTV and @SpikeSports and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxing, andwww.Facebook.com/Spike. Highlights available to embed at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions. PBC on ESPN is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

“SHOOTOUT”IN QUEBEC STEVENSON vs. WILLIAMS WBC LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD TITLE

July 29 airing live on Spike TV from Videotron Centre
Adonis ”Superman” Stevenson – WBC and lineal light heavyweight world champion:
”Welcome to Québec City Thomas. I saw your fight against Edwin Rodriguez. It was a nice performance with a beautiful KO. When I saw that bout, I told myself I wanted that fight with you. I knew I was going to be motivated.”
”I know Williams hits hard and that he has a name now in the United States, but I keep the same Kronk Gym mentality Emmanuel Steward taught me: we go for the KO. It is also my daughter’s birthday and I want to get her a KO, I am motivated. That will be exciting…don’t blink!”
Thomas ”Top Dog” Williams – WBC #8 light heavyweight ranked challenger:
”You don’t know what I have been through to be here. Tweets, talks and predictions won’t mean nothing Friday night…..facts will. There will be a new champion.”
Eleider ”Storm” Alvarez – WBC #1 ranked challenger and WBC Silver light heavyweight champion:
”With only a 10-day notice,  I am really happy to face a fighter of good caliber. Berridge is a tough guy who faced good names like Thomas Oosthuizen and Blake Caparello, but I prepared really hard for Chad Dawson. I am ready.”
Robert ”The Butcher” Berridge – New Zealand light heavyweight champion :
”I am excited to be here and to face a solid boxer. Expect a good performance from me Friday.”
Yvon Michel – President of GYM:
”The event is called ‘SHOOTOUT’ because of the aggressive style of Thomas Williams Jr, who fights like there is no tomorrow, combined with the explosive power of Adonis Stevenson.”
”Williams is a clear and present danger but we are convinced that Adonis is well prepared and will succeed, so that we will all be happy Saturday morning while eating breakfast. We still have not seen his full potential yet.’
”The fight between Eleider Alvarez and Robert Berridge is really important for the rankings in the light heavyweight division. Alvarez is highly considered by all the independent rankings (The Ring, BoxRec) and Berridge was already in training before the withdrawal of Chad Dawson, because he was supposed to fight on HBO PPV last weekend before the bout was cancelled for administrative reasons. He is fearless and a hard hitter.”
Tickets for the “SHOOTOUT” event, jointly promoted by GYM and Gestev and  presented by Vidéotron, in collaboration with Mise-O-Jeu, start at $50.00 and are on sale and available to purchase at www.ticketmaster.ca, the Videotron Centre Box Office, calling GYM at (514) 383-0666 andthe Champion Boxing club (514) 376-0980, or by dialing 1-855-790-1245

Berridge replaces injured Dawson vs. Alvarez

 

SHOOTOUTIN QUEBEC
STEVENSON vs. WILLIAMS
WBC LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD TITLE
July 29 airing live on Spike TV from Videotron Centre
MONTRÉAL (July 23, 2016) – Undefeated No. 1 light heavyweight contender Eleider “Storm” Alvarez (19-0, 10 KOs) has found a solid boxer to face him on the July 29 card, featuring the WBC and lineal world light heavyweight title fight between defending champion Adonis “Superman” Stevenson (27-1, 22 KOs) and challenger Thomas Williams Jr. (20-1, 14 KOs), at the Videotron Centre. WBC Silver light heavyweight champion Alvarez will face New Zealand southpaw slugger Robert “The Butcher” Berridge (27-4-1, 21 KOs).
 
The Alvarez-Berridge co-feature, scheduled for 10 rounds at a 180-pound catch-weight, will air on Spike TV in the United States. Named “The Butcher” because of his aggressive style and power, the 31-year-old Australian sputhpaw has won the several regional titles during his pro career including New Zealand (2013 and 2015), WBC Asia (2013), PABA (2013-2014) and WBO Oriental (2013-2014).
 
“I prepared to face a southpaw in Chad Dawson and Berridge is also left-handed, so adapting will be easier,” Alvarez said. “I tip my hat to him for accepted this challenge with only a 10-day notice
 
“For sure, I am really disappointed in Dawson’s withdrawal, but these things happen that you cannot control. I’m still happy to get in the ring of the Vidéotron Centre in Quebec City.”
 
“Berridge is an aggressive, powerful and fierce fighter,” Groupe Yvon Michel president (GYM) Yvon Michel added.  “We are pleased to have found an opponent of this quality to face Alvarez in front of the Spike TV cameras.”
 
A new rival for Bouchard
Popular Sébastien Bouchard (13-1, 4 KOs), of Baie-Saint-Paul, Canada,  has a new opponent,Alejandro Herrera (14-3-2, 5 KOs), in a six-round bout.
 
Stevenson-Williams referee and judges announced
Names of the officials for the Stevenson vs. Williams main event fight have also been disclosed. The referee will be Michael Griffin (Quebec), the three ringside judges Richard DeCarufel(Quebec), Massimo Barrovecchio (Italy) and Juergen Langos (Germany), plus supervisor
Bob Logist (Belgium).
 
Two public training sessions were planned this weekend on Grande Allée Boulevard in Quebec City. The first, featuring Stevenson, took place today (Saturday) and tomorrow several undercard boxers will workout starting at 1 p.m. ET.
 
Tickets for the “SHOOTOUT” event, jointly promoted by GYM and Gestev and  presented by Vidéotron, in collaboration with Mise-O-Jeu, start at $50.00 and are on sale and available to purchase at www.ticketmaster.ca, the Videotron Centre Box Office, calling GYM at (514) 383-0666 andthe Champion Boxing club (514) 376-0980, or by dialing 1-855-790-1245
ABOUT GROUPE YVON MICHEL (GYM):  Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) was founded in 2004 by Yvon Michel and his associates. The organization’s mission is the development of high-level boxers through coaching support and especially by competitive management. To achieve its objectives, GYM actively recruits talent and organizes events. it is associated with the popular series, “Premier Boxing Champions (PBC),” and has developed major Videotron partnerships with Loto Quebec, TVA Sports, Centre Videotron, Casino de Montreal, Lac Leamy, Tonik GroupImage and Lapointe Dental Centre, in addition to collaborating closely with InterBox and Rixa.
ABOUT GESTEV
Festive, passionate, daring and creative, Gestev promises epic moments that you will remember for a long time. Gestev agrees to act as a catalyst of positive emotions and deliver experiences to meet your expectations. GESTEV manages the Videotron Centre which is a property of the city of Quebec.

 “SHOOTOUT IN QUEBEC” Adonis Stevenson vs. Thomas Williams Jr. WBC Light Heavyweight Championship Live at Centre Videotron

MONTREAL, Canada (June 14, 2016) – Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) and Gestev are proud to officially announce, “SHOOTOUT”, the next fight for power-punching Adonis “Superman” Stevenson, July 29 at Centre Videotron, a presentation of Videotron in association with Mise-O-Jeu.  This event is presented as part of the prestigious “Premier Boxing Champions” (PBC) series, to be broadcast live in the United States, and on Canal Indigo in Canada.
 
Stevenson (27-1, 22 KOs), who established himself as one of the most powerful pound-for-pound fighters in the world, will defend his World Boxing Council (WBC) and lineal light heavyweight (175 pound division) title for the seventh time, against the dangerous, WBC No. 9 rated Thomas “Top Dog” Williams (20-1, 14 KOs).
 
“I am very happy to get back in the ring for my next fight, which will be held July 29 in the superb Centre Videotron of Quebec, against Thomas Williams Jr.,” Stevenson said.  I will demonstrate that, like fine wine, I am even better with age.  Even though I haven’t boxed for 10 months, I’ve never left the gym and I’m willing to defend my crown.”
 
Williams, of Fort Washington, Maryland, at 28, is 10 years younger than Stevenson and also left-handed.  He had a successful amateur career and is reputed to be a major danger in the ring as evidenced by his 10 victories won by knockout in less than two rounds, including his last two outings against renowned Edwin Rodriguez (28-1, 19 KOs) and Umberto Savigne (12-2, 9 KOs).
 
In both of those two fights, Williams was an underdog, but his determination and lethal punch made the difference.  “There were many who had lost trust in me two years ago after my loss to Gabriel Campillo (24-6-1, 11 KOs),” Williams explained. “I don’t make excuses but there were circumstances that led to this result. I’m coming off the best performance of my career and I’m ready to make a change July 29 in terms of the holding title belt.  Stevenson has never faced a puncher like me in the past.”
 
“We are proud to start our association with Gestev and Centre Videotron with this gala event,” GYM president Yvon Michel added. “Adonis Stevenson became the WBC light heavyweight champion in June 2012 and since then 15 of 16 other WBC titles have changed hands.  Only Shinsuke Yamanaka, of Japan, is still champion.  Other fights on the July 29th card will include a group of ambitious, talented boxers, promising a show with intense fighters making statements.”
 
In the co-feature, current WBC Silver light heavyweight champion and WBC No. 1 contender, Eleider Alvarez (19-0, 10 KOs), will attempt to maintain his position as the WBC mandatory challenger against Maximiliano Gomez (22-5, 9 KOs), of Argentine.
 
Also scheduled to be in action are Nova Scotia native and adopted Montreal fighter Custio Clayton (8-0, 7 KOs), who will attempt to continue his rise in the welterweight division, Quebec heavyweight Eric Martel Bahoeli (11-6, 7 KOs) will realize his dream to fight in Videotron Centre, charismatic Montreal welterweight Junior Ulysse (10-0, 7 KOs) and welterweight Marie Eve Dicaire (4-0) are also slated to be in action.  Other fights and fighters will soon be announced for the July 29th card.
 
All fights and fighters are subject to change.
 
“SHOOTOUT” tickets, starting at $50.00, will go on sale Saturday, June 18 at 10 a.m. ET at Videotron Centre, GYM (514) 383-0666, or at Champion Boxing Club (514) 376-0980. A pre-sale will be available June 16-17 for subscribers to the Videotron Centre newsletter as well as Quebec Remparts season ticket holders.

ARTUR BETERBIEV RETURNS TO THE RING AND REMAINS UNDEFEATED WITH TKO VICTORY OVER EZEQUIEL MADERNA IN MAIN EVENT OF PBC ON ESPN AND ESPN DEPORTES FROM BELL CENTER IN MONTREAL

 
Bryant Perrella Scores TKO Over David Grayton In Battle Of Unbeaten Welterweights
 
Click HERE For Photos*
Photo Credit: Dave Nadkarni/Premier Boxing Champions
 
Click HERE For Fight Highlights
MONTREAL (June 4) – As the world mourns the loss of Muhammad Ali, Saturday night’s Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on ESPN and ESPN Deportes telecast began with a “Ceremonial 10-Count” in memory of “The Greatest” and continued to pay tribute to him throughout the telecast that was headlined by a light heavyweight bout between hard-hitting Russian Olympian Artur Beterbiev against Argentina’s Ezequiel Maderna.
The 31-year-old Beterbiev (10-0, 10 KOs), who fights out of Montreal, returned to the ring after an almost year-long layoff following shoulder surgery. Now seven months removed from the procedure, Beterbiev looked sharp from the opening bell as he threw straight right hands and body shots effectively to start the fight.
Maderna, who was also coming off of a long layoff, was hoping to make a statement in his first fight on North American soil as he moved up in weight for this bout. Beterbiev utilized his power and precision to control the entire fight, but kicked it into high gear in the third round, sending the 29-year-old Maderna to the canvas with two right hands. He stood up, but soon after was sent to the canvas again. This time, spitting out his mouth piece to delay the bout causing Referee Marlon B. Wright to deduct a point.
At the start of round four, Maderna was dropped with a punishing right hand. He rose to his feet only find himself canvas agan, looking at his corner, they threw in the towel and the fight was stopped at 54 seconds of round four.
”I am really satisfied by my performance,” said Beterbiev. “I want to thank my team for their patience during my inactivity.”
”My guy did really well after an absence of a year,” said Beterbiev’s trainer Marc Ramsay. “He is very special. In a short or medium period of time, we want to fight in a world championship.”
The PBC on ESPN telecast, which is the first of seven between June 4 and August 12, opened with two welterweight southpaws facing off in hopes of maintaining their undefeated records. However, it didn’t take long for Florida’s Bryant Perrella (14-0, 13 KOs) to prove he was the better man as he scored a second round TKO over Washington, D.C.’s David Grayton (14-1, 10 KOs).
Grayton was more active at the beginning of the fight, working his right hand on the inside. Perrella used his longer reach and height difference to his advantage as he did his best to dictate the pace. Perrella knocked Grayton down in the beginning of the second round and became forceful with the right hand as Grayton left himself open to punishment. Finally, Perrella threw a left that caused Grayton to stumble and referee David Griffin waved off the fight at 2:19.
“He came in real tough – a tough competitor,” said Perrella. “I was the best man tonight. I caught him with some really hard shots, dazed him. I took my time, I listened to what my team said and got him out of there.
“This is tremendous,” Perella continued. “This is what we’ve been wanting for a while to fight another undefeated prospect and get the recognition we feel we deserve. The welterweight division is filled with lions, tigers and bears, but I’m Tarzan baby. I’m the king of this jungle. I’m ready for whatever.”
Also featured on the telecast was a six-round super welterweight contest between prospect Jamontay Clark (10-0, 6 KOs) of Cincinnati and Mexican warrior Edgar Ortega (16-6, 10 KOs). The game Ortega shocked the six-foot-two Clark in the first round, sending him to the canvas with a hard right hand. Clark regained his composure in between the first and second, controlling the fight from then on. Despite taking the fight with nine days’ notice, Ortega stayed with Clark all six rounds, even rolling his ankle in the fourth. After the final bell rung, Clark remained undefeated, registering a unanimous decision victory with the judges scoring the bout 58-55 and 58-54 (twice).
For information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com andwww.groupeyvonmichel.ca,  follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @ABeterbiev @@yvonmichelgym, @ESPNBoxing and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/premierboxingchampions
and www.Facebook.com/WarriorsBoxingPromo.  Highlights available to embed at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions. PBC on ESPN is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

Undefeated Knockout Artist Artur Beterbiev Returns to Take On Light Heavyweight Contender Ezequiel Maderna In Main Event Of Premier Boxing Champions Live On ESPN & ESPN Deportes Saturday, June 4 From Bell Center in Montreal (11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT)

For Immediate Release
 
Unbeaten Rising Welterweight Contenders Meet As
Bryant Perrella Battles David Grayton in Co-Main Event
 
Tickets on Sale Now!
MONTREAL (May 18, 2016) – Unbeaten light heavyweight contender Artur Beterbiev (9-0, 9 KOs) will battle veteran Argentine Olympian Ezequiel Maderna (23-2, 15 KOs) in a 12-round showdown that headlines Premier Boxing Champions(PBC) live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes Saturday, June 4 from Bell Center in Montreal.
Televised coverage begins at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT and features an exciting co-main event that sees a pair of undefeated rising contenders enter the ring as Florida’s Bryant Perrella (13-0, 12 KOs) squares-off against Washington, D.C.’s David Grayton (14-0, 10 KOs) in a 10-round welterweight bout. PBC on ESPN returns for the first of seven fight nights between June 4 and August 12 that will feature exciting and competitive battles.
“I have never been out of the ring for a whole year as an amateur or professional so I can’t wait to fight,” said Beterbiev. “We’ve watched some tapes of Maderna and he seems like a complete fighter. We will be ready on June 4.”
“I’m working very hard in preparation of this fight,” said Maderna. “My goal is to fight a perfect fight that will be very important to my professional future.”
“I’m excited for an opportunity to take on a young undefeated lion who’s looking to become a world champion like myself,” said Perrella. “We’re grinding away every day at training camp. We have some new things we’re working on because we know he’s going to come at me hard. I’m ready to either box or brawl. Either way, I’m coming out on top.”
“I’m ready to get in the ring and put on a great performance,” said Grayton. “Training is going well and I’ve had lots of good sparring and conditioning. We know we have a rangy southpaw who’s going to be tough. It’s about whoever wants it the most and I bet I’ll be hungrier. When I get the win, the sky is the limit.”
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM), are on sale at the Bell Centre box office, on www.evenko.ca, at GYM (514) 383-0666) or at Champion boxing club (514) 376-0980.
“We will launch the Grand Prix activities, which is the biggest sports week in Montreal, with this card,” said Yvon Michel, President of GYM. “Artur is the next boxing superstar in Quebec. He injured his shoulder, but the surgery fixed everything. We plan for him to fight three times in 2016. We want Sergey Kovalev by the end of the year or beginning of 2017.”
Beterbiev returns to his adopted homeland after last fighting in June 2015 and recovering from a shoulder surgery. A two-time Russian Olympian, Beterbiev has fought out of Montreal for his professional career that began in 2013. The 31-year-old has sent all of his opponents out within the distance including dominating performances over former world champions Tavoris Cloud and Gabriel Campillo.
Maderna turned pro in 2008 after representing his native Argentina in the 2008 Olympics and was unbeaten in his first 19 fights before losing a narrow decision to Edwin Rodriguez. Both of the 29-year-old’s defeats have come to unbeaten fighters and he enters this fight on a three bout winning streak including a first round knockout of Rolando Mansilla his last time out.
An undefeated 27-year-old out of Fort Myers, Florida, Perrella comes in off a second round stoppage of Ramon Ayala in January. He picked up five knockouts in a row in 2015 and looks to make it 11 in a row overall when he faces his toughest test yet on June 4.
A Washington D.C. product, Grayton was a National Golden Gloves Champion who beat Errol Spence Jr. on his way to picking up that title. The 28-year-old entered the professional ranks in 2012 and is unbeaten since. He began 2016 with a stoppage of Daniel Souza Santos in January and now looks to make his mark in a competitive welterweight battle.
For information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com andwww.groupeyvonmichel.ca,  follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @ABeterbiev @@yvonmichelgym, @ESPNBoxing and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/premierboxingchampions andwww.Facebook.com/WarriorsBoxingPromo.  Highlights available to embed at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions. PBC on ESPN is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

BETERBIEV IS BACK! Arthur Beterbiev vs. Ezequiel Maderna June 4 at Montreal’s Bell Center PBC on ESPN in U.S., PPV in Canada

MONTREAL (May 11, 2016) —  World light heavyweight contender Artur Beterbiev returns to the ring Saturday night, June 7, to defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) International and North American Boxing Association (NABA) title belts against Argentinian champion Ezequiel “El Olympico” Maderna in the 12-round main event at historic Belle Centre in Montreal, Canada.
 
Presented by Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM), the “Grand Prix” boxing event is part of the prestigious Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) series, which will air live in Canada on pay-per-views starting at 8:00 p.m. ET via Canal Indigo, Bell TV and Shaw TV.  The main event and co-feature, commencing at 11:00 p.m. ET / 8:00 p.m. PT, will be broadcast on ESPN in the United States.
 
“We will launch the Grand Prix activities, which is the biggest sport week in Montreal, with this card”, said the President of GYM, Yvon Michel. “Artur is the next boxing superstar in Quebec. He injured his shoulder, but the surgery fixed everything and we plan to give him three fights in 2016. We aim at Sergey Kovalev by the end of the year or the beginning of 2017.”
The 31-year-old Beterbiev (9-0, 9 KOs), the adopted son of Montreal, is on a seek-and-destroy mission for his first fight in one year. The two-time Russian Olympian (pictured to the left) hasn’t fought since last June, when he stopped Alexander Johnson in the 7thround, due to a shoulder injury that required surgery.
 
Beterbiev is world ranked among the top six in all four major sanctioning organizations:  IBF #2, WBO & WBA #4, and WBC #6.  The power-punching Betervbiev will be defending his WBO International and NABA titles against Maderna.
 
During his 3-year professional career, Beterbiev has defeated two former world champions, Gabriel Campillo and Tavoris Cloud.
 
 
Maderna (23-2, 15 KOs) is a veteran fighter from Argentina, the same country that has produced numerous championship boxers, from Luis Firpo to Sergio Martinez, as well as well standout contemporaries such as IBF cruiserweight champion Victor Ramirez, along with contenders Lucas Matthysse, Jesus Cuellar, Omar Narvaez and Juan Carlos Reveco.  In his most recent action last May, Maderna stopped Rolando Wenceslao Mansilla in the opening round for the Argentina super middleweight championship.
 
Also airing on ESPN in the co-feature, undefeated American prospects Bryant “Goodfella” Perrella (13-0, 12 KOs), fighting out of Fort Myers, Florida, and David “Day Day” Grayton (14-0, 10 KOs), of Washington D.C., square off in a 10-round middleweight bout.
 
Unbeaten super welterweight Jamontay “Quiet Assassin” Clark (9-0-0, 6 KOs), from Cincinnati, Ohio, meets an opponent to be determined in a 6-round “TV swing” match.
Montreal’s undefeated heavyweight Oscar “Kaboom” Rivas (18-0, 13 KOs), also a 2008 Colombian Olympian, returns in an 8-round bout versus TBA.
 
Also fighting on the undercard is popular French-Canadian welterweight Sebastian Bouchard (12-1, 4 KOs) who meets an opponent to be determined in an 8-rounder; Montreal super bantamweight Vislan Dalkaev (6-0, 2 KOs) vs. Mexican invader Javier “El Chivero” Franco (25-17-4), Montreal super middleweight Dario Bredicean (8-0, 2 KOs) against TBA and Toronto’s Parnell Fischer (0-1, 0 KOs) vs. Mexican opponent Larami “Sir” Carmona (1-2, 0 KOs) in a 4-round fight.
 
All fights and fighters are subject to change.
 
Tickets are on sale at the Bell Centre box office, on www.evenko.ca, at GYM (514) 383-0666) or at Champion boxing club (514) 376-0980.
 
INFORMATION:
Twitter:  @YvonMichelGYM, @ABeterbiev, @OscarKaboom
Instagram:  @YvonMichelGYM, @ArturBeterbiev

Perrella to face Grayton June 4 on ESPN

 

Fort Myers, FL (May 11, 2016) – Welterweight sensation Bryant “Goodfella” Perrella will face his toughest foe to date when he challenges fellow unbeaten southpaw David “Day-Day” Grayton Saturday, June 4 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

 

The Perrella-Grayton bout serves as the co-main event of a Premier Boxing Champions card televised on ESPN.

 

Living and fighting out of Fort Myers, FL, the heavy-handed Perrella has a stellar 13-0 professional ledger with 12 wins by knockout. Against Grayton, the 6’0 Perrella fights on TV for a third consecutive time, previously halting both Chaquib Fadli and Ramon Ayala. Prior to that, Perrella impressively stopped dangerous Patrick Boozer, ending a remarkable year and a half run where he took out three previously unbeaten fighters. As an amateur, Perrella competed in the 2012 US Olympic Trials where he defeated current rising star Regis Prograis before coming up short against Sammy Vasquez and eventual winner Errol Spence.

 

Hailing from talent-laden Washington, DC, Grayton is an excellent 14-0 and has ten kayos. In October 2015, Grayton bested often-avoided Martin Wright over eight rounds. Fighting under the tutelage of George Peterson, who developed Paul Williams into one of boxing’s best fighters, Grayton had an excellent amateur pedigree of his own. In 2010, he defeated the aforementioned Spence to capture National Golden Gloves title and he also won bronze at the 2012 tournament.

 

“I know he’s undefeated and is coming to fight but this is a big step up for him,” Perrella said of Grayton. “I expect him to try and drag me into a dog fight. Regardless of what he brings, I’m looking forward to come out on top with a great performance. I’ve fought the better opposition and have been asking for harder fights. I believe I’m an overall better fighter and on June 4 everybody will see that.”

 

Michael Nowling, Perrella’s head trainer, is very familiar Grayton and is equally as confident his fighter will emerge victorious.

 

“David Grayton is a strong and athletic southpaw that is coming to win. Regardless, he’s never fought anybody like Bryant Perrella. For some time now, I’ve wanted Bryant to step up and fight another prospect because I believe he’s better than a lot of guys out there. Against Grayton, our plan is to break him down and win in style. Doing so in a fight like this can set us apart from other prospects.”

 

The card is promoted by Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) and is headlined by a bout featuring light heavyweight contender Artur Beterbiev against 2008 Argentinean Olympian Ezequiel Maderna.

 

Tickets will be available on Groupeyvonmichel.ca/eng/tickets.html shortly.

Artur Beterbiev injured in training

MONTREAL (October 20, 2015) – Montreal’s adopted son and light heavyweight contender Artur Beterbiev (9-0, 9 KOs) will not be fighting November 28 at the Centre Vidéotron in Quebec City. The Groupe Yvon Michel-promoted boxer injured his shoulder during training last week, forcing him to withdraw from his bout.
 
Beterbiev is currently world rated at No. 2 by both the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Organization (WBO), as well as No. 3 by the World Boxing Association (WBA) and No. 4 by the World Boxing Council (WBC).
 
The decision was made this morning (Tuesday) after the two-time Russian Olympian met GYM’s doctor, Francis Fontaine, and surgeon David Baillargeon determined Beterbiev needs minor but necessary surgery to his right shoulder.
 
Under my supervision, Artur had a magnetic resonance examination Friday,” Dr. Fontaine explained. “After a meeting this morning, we have decided that Artur’s surgery would be performed in the next few days by specialist Dr. Baillargeon. We expect a complete recovery followed by a return to the ring at the beginning of 2016.”
 
I am extremely frustrated and disappointed by the situation,” Beterbiev said.  “I was preparing myself hard to give another great show to the fans, November 28, but I will be back stronger in 2016.”.
 
The fighter will start his rehabilitation four days after his surgery, under the wing of physiotherapist Hugo Lettre, from Evolution Physio.
 
“We have absolute confidence in our medical staff, including the talented Dr. Baillargeon,” GYM president Yvon Michel added.  “This is the same doctor that saved the shoulder, which was in a really worst state, and the career of Jean Pascal, in January 2010. Seven months later, Jean defended his title belt, in spectacular fashion, against Chad Dawson.”

Karo Murat accepts challenge to face Artur Beterbiev IBF light heavyweight title eliminator

MONTREAL (October 9, 2015) -After the refusal of CubanYuniesky Gonzalez (IBF #11), Armenian light heavyweight Karo Murat (IBF #14, 27-2-1, 17 KOs) jumped at the opportunity to face Montreal adopted son Artur Beterbiev (IBF #2, 9-0, 9 KOs) for an IBF light heavyweight (175 pounds) elimination fight.
 
The promoters of the two fighters have until October 22 to sign a deal without it going to a purse bid.
 
The winner of this bout, which could logically take placeNovember 28 in Quebec City, will become the mandatory challenger for the IBF light heavyweight world title owned by Russian Sergey Kovalev.
 
Murat is the reigning IBF International light heavyweight champion. He won his last two fights after fighting hard for 12 rounds with legendary American Bernard Hopkins, Oct. 26, 2013 in Atlantic City, in a losing effort. He also has on his record wins over Gabriel Campillo and Tommy Karpency.