BROOKLYN (August 23, 2018) – There is no looking ahead to future fights for top 147-pound contenders Yordenis Ugas of Cuba and Cesar Barrionuevo of Argentina as the two sluggers prepare for their WBC title eliminator matchup in SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING action on Saturday, September 8 live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™ and presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

The SHOWTIME main event will pit two of the division’s biggest names against each other as former 147-pound champions Danny “Swift” Garcia and “Showtime” Shawn Porter square off for the vacant WBC Welterweight World Championship. The winner of Ugas vs. Barrionuevo earns the WBC’s second mandatory position to the winner of Garcia vs. Porter.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions and DiBella Entertainment, in association with DSG Promotions, start at $50 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased at ticketmaster.com, barclayscenter.com, or by calling 800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.

Ugas, (22-3, 11 KOs), returns to the SHOWTIME stage for the second time. In February, he handed Ray Robinson his first defeat since a 2010 decision to Shawn Porter. Barrionuevo, (34-3-2, 24 KOs), making his U.S. debut, has won 10 fights in a row and has only lost once since 2010 as he looks to follow in the footsteps of Marcos Maidana and Lucas Matthysse, elite welterweights from Argentina.

Here is what the 32-year-old Ugas and 29-year-old Barrionuevo had to say from their respective camps about their September 8 matchup:

YORDENIS UGAS

Overall, how is your training going in Las Vegas and who have you sparred with?

“We have been training at Fernando Vargas’ gym, the Feroz Fight Factory gym. We’ve been sparring with Jose Benavidez Jr. and Diego Magdaleno, and a few other locals. Nothing is really different with this camp compared to others. I’m 100 percent committed to training for this fight.”

What are the advantages of training in Las Vegas? 

“I’ve been in Las Vegas for the past two and a half years. This place has changed my life. I came out here and started training with Ismael Salas, who has trained many of the best Cuban boxers. There is such good sparring out here, and there’s also mountains. I love running up Mount Charleston. This is just a perfect place for a fighter to train.”

How are you preparing to face a southpaw like Cesar Barrionuevo?

“We are sparring with lefties and trying to mirror exactly what we think we’ll see. The Argentine fighters always come to fight and are well prepared. They always go to war. Luckily I like to go to war too. So I think we have good styles that will give the fans a great fight.”

What else do you know about your opponent?

“I’ve seen some footage and that’s it. It’s not really about what he does or brings, it’s all about staying focused on what I do best. I don’t take much time off so I’m always in the gym training. I did go down to Miami a few weeks ago and actually trained in Barrionuevo’s gym and met some guys he works with, but we never crossed paths.”

You are returning to fight on SHOWTIME for a second time. Does that give you an advantage?

“Everyone who knows boxing knows I’m the more experienced fighter. This is one of his first times he’s fighting outside Argentina. I know he’s a big deal there, but he’s never seen a stage like this, with all the bright lights. I’m going to be prepared for the best Argentine fighter that shows up that night.”

What is your prediction of the Garcia-Porter fight?

“I think they are two great fighters and whoever is the most prepared on that night will win the fight. Because this is a WBC eliminator, I know there’s a chance I could fight one of them if I win my fight. I would love to fight either of them.”

CESAR BARRIONUEVO

How is your training camp going in Miami and who have you sparred with?

“Technically, everything is strong and with my coaches Carlos [Morgan] and Pablo [Martinez] we feel good about where we are and what we’re doing. I want to be 100 percent ready on September 8 for the fight of my life. I feel like I will be and am so grateful for the support of my team and everyone here at Caicedo Sports’ gym. I have been sparring with a bunch of local prospects, young guys with undefeated records and guys that are in the same boat as I am looking to become a world champion.”

How are you preparing for an aggressive fighter like Ugas?

“I’m formulating my plan and intensifying my training so I’m 100 percent ready. I’m focusing on my cardio and increasing my strength. That’s why I’m here in the U.S., because the level of competition is better than back home. I feel that everything I’m doing is a step up. I’m having the best training camp of my life. I’m not worrying about my opponents’ style.”

What do you know about your opponent?

“We have watched some film, but that doesn’t always help you. Split-second adjustments will be made if needed. I’m a fighter at the end of the day, and will be ready for whatever he puts in front of me. I have never met him, but I know he came and worked out at my gym. I don’t know him, but maybe after the fight we can be friends. Right now it’s kill or be killed.”

What are your thoughts about fighting on the big stage at Barclays Center?

“I know I have a huge fan base in Argentina and can’t wait to go back there and celebrate a win with them. I’m so proud of all the past world champions that have come from my country, but I’m not coming to Brooklyn as a tourist. I’m coming to fight and get the victory in spectacular fashion and to put Argentina back on the map in the sport of boxing. The objective is to look good and win and to leave a good impression fighting on SHOWTIME and for everyone watching.”

What is your prediction of the Garcia-Porter fight?

“It’s a tough fight. Maybe 50-50, but I’m leaning toward Danny Garcia. I think his experience as a world champion will show.”

Is it hard not to look ahead to a possible future fight with one of those guys?

“I haven’t thought about it for even one second. I’m focused on my next task, and that’s Ugas. I’m coming to do what needs to be done to get the win. And I’ll get that win with blood, sweat and tears. I’ll focus on Danny Garcia or Shawn Porter when the time comes.”

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For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports,www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @DannySwift, @ShowtimeShawnP,  @LouDiBella, @TGBPromotions, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxingand www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment.PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

BROOKLYN (August 1, 2018) – Top 147-pound contender Yordenis Ugas and Argentine slugger Cesar Barrionuevo will battle in a WBC welterweight title eliminator while unbeaten Polish heavyweight contender Adam Kownacki will face former heavyweight champion Charles Martin in a 10-round attraction as part of a tripleheader live on SHOWTIME Saturday, September 8 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^® main event (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) will pit two of the division’s biggest names against each other as former 147-pound champions Danny “Swift” Garcia and “Showtime” Shawn Porter square off for the vacant WBC Welterweight World Championship. The winner of Ugas vs. Barrionuevo earns the WBC’s second mandatory position to the winner of Garcia vs. Porter.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions and DiBella Entertainment, in association with DSG Promotions, start at $50 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased at ticketmaster.com, barclayscenter.com, or by calling 800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.

Ugas (22-3, 11 KOs), who was born in Cuba and now lives in Las Vegas, is one of the busiest boxers in the sport and a consensus top-10 fighter in the welterweight division. After losing a unanimous decision to Amir Imam in 2014, the 32-year-old Ugas took a year off from boxing, moved up to 147 pounds and came back on a tear. During a 12-month span from August 2016 to August 2017, Ugas won five straight fights, knocking off top contenders and prospects including Jamal James, Bryant Perrella, Levan Ghvamichava, Thomas Dulorme and Nelson Lara. Ugas has added two more stoppage victories in 2018, including February on SHOWTIME when he handed Ray Robinson his first defeat since a 2010 decision to Shawn Porter.

“I’m very excited to be part of such a great card,” Ugas said. “This is a huge opportunity to put myself in position to fight the best fighters in the welterweight division and that’s my goal. I don’t know much about my opponent, but he is a power punching Argentine and I have to be 100 percent ready come September 8. This will be my second appearance on SHOWTIME

CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING and I look forward to making another huge statement. I’m going to close the show in New York like my friend, Yankees’ closer Aroldis Chapman.”

Barrionuevo (34-3-2, 24 KOs) has devastating one-punch power and is wildly popular in his native Argentina, where he has held regional titles while stopping seven of his last nine opponents. Barrionuevo will make his U.S. debut on September 8. The 29-year-old has won 10 fights in a row and has only lost once since 2010 as he looks to follow in the footsteps of Marcos Maidana and Lucas Matthysse, elite welterweights from Argentina. Barrionuevo, who is ranked No. 6 by the WBC at 147 pounds, was previously scheduled to face Abel Ramos on Aug. 3 in Las Vegas before taking the opportunity to fight Ugas in this title eliminator.

“I am proud to be fighting in the United States and fighting on SHOWTIME is a dream come true,” said Barrionuevo. “Argentine boxing has a long history of great champions from Carlos Monzon to Sergio Martinez and most recently Marcos Maidana. I am looking to become one of those great Argentine fighters of this era and it starts on September 8. I bring the power and the heart of my country with me and expect all the Argentine flags to be out at Barclays Center.”

Kownacki (17-0, 14 KOs) has become a must-see attraction amongst the large contingent of Polish boxing fans in his hometown of Brooklyn and will return to fight at Barclays Center for the fifth time on September 8. The 29-year-old has steadily climbed up the rankings, having most recently knocked out then once-beaten heavyweight Iago Kiladze in Brooklyn in January. Prior to that win, the undefeated heavyweight scored a dominant stoppage of Artur Szpilka last July on Long Island in a matchup of top Polish heavyweights.

“It’s exciting to be back in the ring on SHOWTIME to showcase my skills,” said Kownacki. “It will be another step to reach my goal of becoming the first Polish heavyweight champion. I am training hard in preparation to fight Charles Martin. It will be an amazing night in Barclays Center. I’m hoping Barclays Center will be covered in white and red.”

Born in St. Louis, Martin (25-1-1, 23 KOs) captured the IBF Heavyweight World Championship in January 2016 via a third round TKO against Vyacheslav Glazkov at Barclays Center on SHOWTIME. The 32-year-old scored knockouts in 21 of his first 23 before losing in his first title defense against Anthony Joshua in the UK. Martin trains in Big Bear, California and has since scored two knockout victories on his way towards a matchup with Kownacki that could move him closer to another shot at a belt.

“I don’t want to talk about fighting, I just want to get in there and show off my skills,” said Martin. “For this fight I asked for the toughest opponent that I could get. I’m not worried about who is in front of me. I will be ready on September 8.”

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For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports,www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @DannySwift, @ShowtimeShawnP, @LouDiBella, @TGBPromotions, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxingand www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment.PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.